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IT Home reported on August 12 that according to the latest statement by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk,The company's highly anticipated fifth test flight of the Starship is likely to be postponed until SeptemberIn June of this year, Starship completed its fourth test flight, achieving a historic breakthrough in the successful soft landing of both the booster and the spacecraft. Since then, SpaceX has been working on preparations for the fifth test flight, including testing of the second-stage engine and the launch tower, especially the highly anticipated and risky tower capture technology.

Image source: SpaceX

It is this new tower capture technology that has caused the delay in the test flight. Previously, SpaceX had said that once it received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it would immediately conduct the fifth test flight. However,The tower capture technology is different from previous flight plans, which increases the difficulty of approval.

Last week, SpaceX announced on social media X that the Starship is ready for its fifth test flight, but still needs to wait for FAA approval. During the waiting period, SpaceX will continue to advance rocket recovery operation tests and preparations for the sixth test flight.

Musk said on the X platform yesterday,Starship's fifth flight will take place in "about 3 weeks", which means the test flight may be postponed to September. Musk had previously said that a test flight was expected this month, but the risks of the tower capture technology appear to have extended the FAA's approval time.

In addition to the tower capture,SpaceX may also conduct another key test during the fifth test flight - an in space engine reignition.Video footage shot by local media in Boca Chica, Texas, shows SpaceX has tested a vacuum-type Raptor engine on a second-stage rocket, which could foreshadow an in-space engine restart.

In addition, IT Home noted that after the fourth test flight,SpaceX also completely replaced thousands of thermal insulation tiles on the second stage.Although this was the first successful soft landing of the second stage, a fire broke out in the front flap of the rocket due to improper installation of the thermal insulation tiles, which was consistent with Musk's previous prediction.

While waiting for FAA approval, SpaceX is also actively developing the next generation of Starship rockets. This month, the company successfully conducted the first test of the Raptor 3 engine. Compared with the previous generation, the new engine design is greatly simplified, increasing thrust and reducing weight by more than one ton by optimizing key components.

In the coming weeks, SpaceX may conduct a static fire test or even a wet dress rehearsal. In addition, the company is building a second launch tower in Boca Chica and a new engine test area to support up to 25 Starship launches per year.