SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Scheduled for Saturday: New Air Traffic Listing Revealed!

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Updated Launch Schedule for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7

A recent advisory from air traffic control has revised the launch timeline for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7, now targeting a lift-off on January 11th at the earliest. Initially, an earlier update indicated January 10th, but that information has since been retracted. The latest details can be accessed on the CANSO ATFM Data Exchange Network for the Americas (CADENA) website, confirming January 11th as the primary launch date, with alternative dates available up to January 16th.

The launch window begins at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on January 11th, with subsequent windows opening later in the day. If the launch proceeds on January 11th, it will avoid coinciding with Blue Origin’s New Glenn maiden launch, which is currently scheduled for January 10th.

Significance of Starship Flight 7

Flight 7 marks a pivotal moment for SpaceX as it will test payload deployment capabilities. In a previous blog post, SpaceX indicated that it plans to deploy prototype Starlink satellites utilizing the upper-stage Starship spacecraft. Recent footage from local media reveals that SpaceX has loaded Starlink simulators into the spacecraft and executed final adjustments in the payload bay.

Starship Super Heavy during Flight 6 — The Starship Super Heavy as it lifts off from the pad during Flight 6. Image: SpaceX

Launch Preparations Underway

While the Starship Super Heavy booster remains positioned on the launch pad, the Starship itself has not yet been moved there. Flight termination system explosives have been installed on the booster, indicating that the transport of the Starship to the launch pad is imminent. An official announcement from SpaceX regarding the launch date is expected once the Starship is stacked on the booster.

Air Traffic Advisory Details

As preparations for Flight 7 continue, the updated air traffic advisory provides further clarity on the possible launch dates:

Primary Launch Day: 11 Jan 1300Z-1438Z

Backup Launch Day (1): 12 Jan 2200Z-2338Z
Backup Launch Day (2): 13 Jan 2200Z-2338Z
Backup Launch Day (3): 14 Jan 2200Z-2338Z
Backup Launch Day (4): 15 Jan 2200Z-2338Z
Backup Launch Day (5): 16 Jan 2200Z-2338Z

Upgrades and Innovations in Flight 7

Starship Flight 7 is anticipated to include several advancements, notably an upgraded fin design and enhanced aerodynamic control systems. The ship will test new flight control and propulsion technologies, as well as hardware designed for a future catch attempt by the launch tower.

Similar to previous flights, SpaceX aims to catch the towering 232-feet-tall Super Heavy booster using the launch tower. Although the catch attempt during Flight 5 was successful, the catch during Flight 6 was aborted due to damage to the tower’s equipment.

Upgraded radar sensors have been integrated into the launch tower for improved precision during the coming flight. Should the upper stage display satisfactory performance, SpaceX might even try to catch the ship with the tower during Flight 8.

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