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SpaceX has received the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) approval to communicate with its Starship rocket during the upcoming flight 5 from Texas. The FCC approved SpaceX's application over the weekend to communicate with the Super Heavy booster, and by the looks of it, SpaceX has expanded its communications capabilities with the Starship booster ahead of the test flight that will see it attempt a booster catch with the launch tower arms for the first time.
SpaceX has not received the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) license approval for the Starship test flight. As it waits for the FAA, the firm is busy testing the launch tower arms in Texas as part of key pre flight preparations.
SpaceX Tests Launch Tower Catch Arms In Texas Ahead Of Starship Flight 5
According to SpaceX's Starship Flight 5 test application filed with the FAA, the firm wanted to expand its capabilities to communicate with the Super Heavy booster during the flight. Rocket communications involve an up link and down link portion, with the former responsible for sending commands to the vehicle during different portions of the flight. Space had wanted the FCC to "authorize an additional power level for uplink frequencies for Starship Super Heavy vehicle communications" for the fifth test flight which is slated to launch from Boca Chica.
After SpaceX confirmed in June that the fifth Starship test flight would include a tower catch, the firm has shared little additional details for the test and its timeline. Since a tower catch will mark a significant change over previous Starship test flight profiles, SpaceX has to secure the FAA's approval for these changes before it can attempt to catch the 232 feet tall rocket with its launch tower.
However, SpaceX has continued to test its launch tower arms as it waits for the FAA's approval. Footage from local media shows that over the weekend, it tested both the launch tower arms and the quick disconnect arms. For Starship's launch, the tower arms stack the second stage rocket on the first stage booster, while the quick disconnect arms are responsible for safely fueling the rocket and then disconnecting during liftoff.
Footage from Texas shows tower arms closing on each other right at the top of the launch tower in a simulation of the booster's landing. Similarly, the quick disconnect arm also moved away in its practice run to make room for the booster's landing.
A tower catch is a crucial component of SpaceX's Starship profile. This is because it reduces the time of turnaround for the rocket and allows SpaceX to work on the vehicle right at the site before preparing it for another launch. The fourth Starship test flight in June was the first time that both the ship and booster were successful in softly splashing down in the water. Since then, SpaceX has upgraded the second stage ship's heatshield and engines as it prepares to gradually add complexity to its Starship tests.
Stage 0 has conducted a full launch to catch simulation with both the QD arm swinging away and then the chopsticks performing their catch actuation test. Things are about to get unreal!#Starship #Starbase #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/KEuzGhveNZ
— LabPadre Space (@LabPadre) September 6, 2024
About the author: Ramish is a seasoned technology writer and editor with more than a decade of experience. He specializes in semiconductor fabrication and market analysis. With a background in finance and supply chain management - via his bachelors in Finance and a micromasters in supply chain management from MIT - Ramish combines financial rigor with deep industry insight to deliver accurate and authoritative coverage.
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