I just got this press release from SpaceX.
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, October 13 for the fifth integrated flight test of Starship from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The 30-minute test window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear loud noises resulting from the flight test.
At the time of launch, the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines may be audible while firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward space. About eight to ten minutes after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster may attempt, if strict conditions are met, a return to launch site and tower catch on the pad at Starbase. Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear one or more sonic booms during the return to launch site.
A sonic boom is a brief, thunder-like noise a person on the ground hears when an aircraft or other vehicle in the area flies faster than the speed of sound. The sonic boom does not present a health risk and what people experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
SpaceX’s live webcast will go live approximately 30 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches. Live updates will also be available on X @SpaceX.
0700 CDT is 0500 PDT, so I’ll have to get up early.
That’s not early!
It’s 0100 local time for me.
All going well, this should be a very interesting and exciting flight indeed.
In that case, it also makes one wonder what expansion they might make for flight-6, which I believe will be the final flight of Starship Block-1.
Apparently there is already FAA authorization for flight-6 and it’s differences from flight-5, but what those are I do not know.