SpaceX has outlined a potential flight profile for Starship's inaugural orbital launch, targeting an altitude of 115 kilometers with a splashdown off Kauai's northwest coast. This milestone test could happen as soon as this summer.
SpaceX's Starship SN15 made history with a successful launch and landing on the night of May 5-6 from Texas. As noted by SpaceX director of mission operations Jon Insprucker, the flight featured a three-engine flip maneuver followed by a single-engine landing burn. Ultimately, two Raptor engines reignited for touchdown.
While no official explanation was given, Starship's flight computer can dynamically adjust engine firing sequences. It's likely one Raptor experienced issues during the test, prompting its exclusion from the final landing phase.
This achievement marks a pivotal step for SpaceX's interplanetary vehicle. Looking ahead, Elon Musk has suggested SN15 could fly again, though it might be retired instead. Meanwhile, SN16 is flight-ready, and SN17 is advancing rapidly—potentially enabling 20-kilometer hops in the coming days.
SN15's success has fast-tracked SpaceX's timeline for an orbital attempt, originally eyed before year-end. Federal Aviation Administration filings indicate a possible launch as early as June 20 (extending to December). The SN20 prototype is the frontrunner.
The detailed flight plan calls for liftoff from Starbase, Texas, aboard the Super Heavy booster (likely BN3). Staging occurs roughly 170 seconds post-launch, with the booster returning to a Gulf of Mexico barge about 30 kilometers offshore.
Starship will then proceed over the Florida Straits to 115 km apogee before splashing down approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Kauai—about 1 hour 30 minutes after launch.
Engineers will gather extensive telemetry to refine future vehicles' flight and landing performance, building on lessons from prior tests.
