SpaceX is preparing for its sixth Starship test flight, set to take place on Tuesday, November 19, at the company's Starbase facility in South Texas. The enormous Super Heavy booster, which serves as the first stage of the Starship rocket, was transported to the orbital launch pad on November 14. The Starship spacecraft itself made its arrival on November 12. This test flight is a pivotal moment in SpaceX's mission to advance reusable spaceflight technology, with a launch window opening at 5:00 p.m. EST for a 30-minute window.

The details were shared via SpaceX's official X account. The Super Heavy booster and its 165-foot-tall Starship upper stage are now positioned at the launch pad, awaiting final integration. SpaceX intends to use the launch tower’s mechanical "chopstick" arms to lift the Starship spacecraft onto the booster, forming a towering 400-foot configuration. This will create the largest and most powerful rocket in development today.

This flight marks another significant step in SpaceX's ongoing efforts to demonstrate the viability of reusable rocket systems. SpaceX anticipates that the booster will return to the launch site, where it will be recovered using the chopstick arms. The Starship spacecraft will conduct tests on its upgraded heatshield and reentry maneuvers before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, one of Starship’s Raptor engines will be reignited in space, a key milestone toward achieving orbital capabilities.

The fifth test flight on October 13 saw the booster make a historic landing on the launch mount with the aid of the tower’s arms, while the spacecraft successfully splashed down. These accomplishments were achieved under the leadership of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who continues to drive the development of Starship in pursuit of the company’s long-term goal of interplanetary exploration. The upcoming flight is another step forward in refining the rocket’s design and performance, bringing SpaceX closer to realizing full rocket reusability.