SpaceX’s Starship Integrated Flight Test 5 (IFT-5) is poised to be one of the most ambitious tests in the company’s history. With major technical upgrades and a first of its kind booster catch attempt, SpaceX aims to further demonstrate the capabilities of its fully reusable mega rocket system. If successful, will the sonic boom produced by the Super Heavy booster equal a super sonic boom? This article will explore what affects the loudness of a sonic bomb and more!
FAA Approval and Launch Timeline
SpaceX has faced extensive regulatory reviews as it prepares for IFT-5. Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that it would not require a mishap investigation for the fourth flight, allowing SpaceX to focus on the upcoming test. Elon Musk has tentatively set the launch window for late August to early September, contingent upon receiving the necessary FAA license. Early clues to a pending launch will be proceeded by TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions), NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), road closure of Boca Chica Blvd (rt-4) and the FAA license.
Test Flight Objectives
The main objective of IFT-5 is to catch the returning Super Heavy booster using the “chopstick” arms of the Mechazilla launch tower. This ambitious maneuver aims to enable rapid turnaround and reusability, which are critical for SpaceX’s long-term goals of reducing space travel costs and increasing launch frequency.
IFT-5 Objectives:
- Achieving Orbital Velocity: This involves testing the Super Heavy booster’s performance during launch and its separation from the Starship upper stage.
- Booster Catch Attempt: For the first time, SpaceX plans to attempt catching the returning Super Heavy booster using the “chopstick” arms of the Mechazilla launch tower at the orbital launch site.
- Reentry and Controlled Descent: The Ship 30 will undergo rigorous testing during reentry to evaluate its thermal protection systems. It will aim for a controlled descent and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
- Testing Upgraded Systems: Ship 30 features major upgrades, including improved heat shield tiles and a new ablative material to enhance its durability during reentry.
- Performance of Raptor Engines: The mission will also test the reliability and performance of the Raptor engines during ascent and landing maneuvers.
Significant Changes and Upgrades
Major Upgrades to Ship 30
SpaceX’s Starship Ship 30 has undergone several major upgrades to enhance its performance and durability for the upcoming Integrated Flight Test 5 (IFT-5). These improvements are crucial for advancing the capabilities of SpaceX’s reusable rocket system and supporting future missions to Mars and beyond.
- Enhanced Thermal Protection System (TPS)
- Ship 30 features a completely overhauled heat shield. The new heat shield tiles are twice as strong as those used on previous iterations. The underlying blankets have been replaced with a new ablative material that was tested on Ship 29.
- Upgraded Aerodynamics and Structural Changes
- SpaceX has added new roll thrusters just above the forward dome to improve aerodynamic control during flight. These roll thrusters are complemented by a new radio antenna, which replaces the six tile-like antennas previously located on the nosecone. Additionally, a new Liquid Oxygen (LOX) vent at the top of the LOX tank has been installed, featuring advanced sensors and a pressure relief valve.
- Engine and Propulsion System Enhancements
- Ship 30 includes new engine covers, a feature previously implemented on the boosters but new to the ships. This change is intended to protect the engines and streamline pre-launch procedures.
- Improved Communication Systems
- The new radio antenna setup provides enhanced communication capabilities, crucial for maintaining contact during various phases of the mission, including reentry and landing.
- Structural Load Testing
- Ship 30 has undergone extensive cryogenic proof tests and structural load testing to ensure it can handle the stresses of launch, flight, and landing. These tests are vital for validating the integrity of the ship’s structure under extreme conditions (Ringwatchers) .
Super Heavy Booster 12 Upgrades:
The Super Heavy booster #12 for SpaceX’s IFT-5 has seen several major upgrades to enhance its performance and reliability. These improvements are aimed at achieving a successful launch, stage separation, reentry, and landing, including the ambitious booster catch attempt. Here are the key upgrades made to the Super Heavy booster for IFT-5:
- Enhanced Raptor Engines: The Super Heavy booster is equipped with updated Raptor 2 engines that provide greater thrust and efficiency. These engines have been refined based on data from previous flights to improve reliability and performance. The Super Heavy Booster 12 will not use the new Raptor 3 engines. The Raptor 2 engines are an upgraded version of the original Raptor engines, offering increased thrust and improved efficiency.
- Increased Thrust: Raptor 2 engines provide about 230 tons of force each, which is an improvement from the Raptor 1 engines that provided approximately 185 tons of thrust.
- Booster Structure and Load Management: The structural integrity of the booster has been enhanced to handle the stresses of launch and landing better.
- Thermal Protection System (TPS): The booster features upgraded thermal protection to better manage the heat generated during reentry. This is crucial for ensuring the booster remains intact and functional for the catch attempt by the launch tower.
- Aerodynamic Enhancements: Changes to the aerodynamic surfaces, such as grid fins, have been made to improve control and stability during reentry and landing.
- Engine Covers and Hot Stage Separation: The booster now includes engine covers to protect the engines during various phases of the mission.
- Improved Landing Systems: The landing systems, including the hydraulic and pneumatic systems for the landing legs and the chopstick arms, have been upgraded to ensure a more reliable and controlled landing.
A Super Sonic Boom
The size and shape of SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster will have a significant impact on the sonic boom it produces during reentry and its attempt to return to the launch site for a catch by the “chopstick” arms of the Mechazilla launch tower.
Given the size and shape of the Super Heavy booster, it is expected to produce a loud and powerful sonic boom. The combination of its large displacement of air and aerodynamic yet massive structure will contribute to large pressure waves.
The FAA and local communities will likely monitor the sonic boom’s impact closely. Ensuring compliance with noise regulations and minimizing disturbances will be crucial for the success of future missions involving the Super Heavy booster.
Falcon9 Booster VS Starship Super Heavy Booster
The Falcon 9 first stage (booster) is approximately 157 feet tall and the diameter of the booster is12 feet. The dry mass of the Falcon 9 booster is around 49,000 pounds. When fully fueled, the Falcon 9 first stage weighs approximately 1,207,920 pounds. It uses 9 Merlin rocket engines.
The Super Heavy booster is a massive structure, standing about 230 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter. The dry mass of the Super Heavy booster is around 440,000 pounds. When fully fueled, the Super Heavy booster weighs about 8,113,000 pounds. It currently uses 33 Raptor rocket engines.
The intensity of a sonic boom, including the decibel (dB) level, can vary based on several factors such as altitude, speed, and atmospheric conditions. However, specific data regarding the exact decibel level of the sonic boom produced by the Falcon 9 booster during reentry is not typically disclosed in public sources.
Sonic booms generally range from 110 to 130 decibels, depending on various factors. For context, a jet flying at supersonic speeds typically produces a sonic boom at around 130 dB at ground level. The Falcon 9 sonic boom’s precise measurements are often not publicly detailed, reports from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 landings indicate that the sonic boom is significant but managed within safety limits. The impact is mitigated by conducting landings in controlled areas like Cape Canaveral, where noise impact assessments are a standard part of the operation.
Sonic Boom Factors:
- Size of the Booster:
- Large Size: Larger objects create more substantial pressure differences as they move through the atmosphere at supersonic speeds, resulting in more intense shock waves.
- Multiple Shock Waves: The length of the booster can generate multiple shock waves from different parts such as the nose, fins, and body. These shock waves can merge and amplify the overall intensity of the sonic boom.
- Shape of the Booster:
- Aerodynamic Design: Its cylindrical body and streamlined features are designed to minimize drag, which can help to reduce the intensity of the sonic boom to some extent.
- Flat Base: The booster’s flat base, designed to house the Raptor engines, will likely create a stronger shock wave. Flat or blunt shapes produce greater pressure differentials, leading to louder booms.
- Flight Path and Reentry Angle:
- Controlled Descent: The controlled descent path and the angle of reentry will influence the sonic boom’s propagation. A steeper reentry angle can create stronger shock waves as the booster decelerates rapidly through denser layers of the atmosphere.
- Supersonic Transition: As the booster transitions from supersonic to subsonic speeds during reentry, the shock waves will converge, potentially intensifying the sonic boom experienced on the ground.
The Super Heavy booster’s enormous size and shape will result in a notable sonic boom during reentry. While its aerodynamic design helps to some extent, the sheer scale of the booster ensures that the sonic boom will be powerful, necessitating careful planning and potential mitigation efforts by SpaceX.
Future Prospects
The success of IFT-5 will be pivotal for SpaceX’s aspirations to support NASA’s Artemis program and its broader goals of Mars colonization. The ability to catch and rapidly reuse the Super Heavy booster will be a major achievement, making sustainable and cost-effective spaceflight a reality.
