View source for Engineering:SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 2

{{Short description|Second launch of SpaceX Starship}}
{{infobox spaceflight
| name               = Starship's second integrated flight test
| image              = Starship-IFT2-ascent (cropped).jpg
| image_caption      = Starship vehicle in flight during IFT-2
| mission_type       = [[Engineering:Flight test|Flight test]]
| operator           = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| mission_duration   = ~8 minutes, 06 seconds (achieved)<br>90 minutes (planned)
| orbits_completed   = <1 (planned)<br>Not achieved
| spacecraft         = Starship S25,

Super Heavy B9
| launch_date        = {{start-date|November 18, 2023, 13:02:50}} [[UTC]]
| launch_rocket      = [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|Starship]]
| launch_site        = Starbase
| launch_contractor  = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| orbit_regime       = Transatmospheric Earth orbit (planned)
| orbit_apoapsis     = {{cvt|250|km}} (planned)<br>{{cvt|149|km}} (reached)<ref name=JSR/><ref name="SpacexBroadcast">{{Cite AV media |people=SpaceX |title=Starship's Second Flight Test |medium=Twitter Broadcast |location=Starbase, TX |date=18 November 2023 |url=https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1dRKZEWQvrXxB}}</ref>
| orbit_inclination  = 26.5°<ref name=JSR/>
| programme          = [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|SpaceX Starship]] flights
| previous_mission   = [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 1|IFT-1]]
| next_mission       = [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship flight tests#Upcoming flights|IFT-3]]
}}

On November 18, 2023, [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] performed the second integrated near-orbital flight of its [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|Starship]] [[Engineering:Launch vehicle|launch vehicle]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=2023-11-16 |title=SpaceX's 2nd Starship launch on Nov. 18: How it will work |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-second-starship-launch-explainer |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116195941/https://www.space.com/spacex-second-starship-launch-explainer |url-status=live }}</ref> The mission's primary objectives were for the vehicle to [[Astronomy:Multistage rocket#Hot-staging|hot stage]], a new addition to Starship's flight profile, followed by the booster performing a boostback burn and performing a propulsive splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The Ship would then continue on to enter [[Astronomy:Transatmospheric orbit|transatmospheric orbit]], re-enter the atmosphere above the [[Earth:Pacific Ocean|Pacific Ocean]], and make a [[Engineering:Splashdown|splashdown]] near [[Earth:Kauai|Kauai]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-super-heavy-starship-launch-license-test-friday/ |title=With launch license in hand, SpaceX plans second test flight of Starship rocket Saturday |last=Harwood |first=William |date=November 15, 2023 |website=CBS News |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127215615/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-super-heavy-starship-launch-license-test-friday/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pdg0j69d2o |title=Elon Musk's Starship rocket to make second flight |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=November 18, 2023 |website=BBC News |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128025640/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pdg0j69d2o |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |title=US FAA okays SpaceX license for second launch of Starship Super Heavy |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=November 15, 2023 |website={{wipe|Reuters}} |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115232258/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The vehicle successfully lifted off under the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the [[Engineering:SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy Booster]] and made it through stage separation. The booster was planned to land on the Gulf of Mexico, however for currently unconfirmed reasons the booster exploded during its boostback burn. The Starship second stage continued to accelerate for over 8 minutes, reaching an altitude of {{cvt|149|km}}<ref name=JSR/>. Towards the end of the second stage burn the Ship vented excess liquid oxygen, resulting in a fire and loss of the vehicle.<ref name=sn20240113/>

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement confirming that an anomaly had occurred and that there were no reports of public property damage or injuries.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1725890315251228682|user=FAANews|title=FAA IFT-2 Anomaly Statement|author=Federal Aviation Administration|author-link=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref> The FCC considered the launch as a failure and used this as a rationale for rejecting SpaceX Starlink as eligible for large US rural broadband internet subsidies.<ref name="fccdenial">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=FCC issues final denial of $885M Starlink subsidy |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/12/fcc-issues-final-denial-of-885m-starlink-subsidy/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |language=en }}</ref> Shortly after the launch, SpaceX made a statement on their website saying that "success comes from what we learn" from a "test like this".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starship Flight 2 |access-date=18 December 2023 |quote=With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and this flight test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary. Data review is ongoing as we look for improvements to make for the next flight. |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218051930/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Background ==
{{Further information|SpaceX Starship First Integrated Flight Test#Aftermath}}After the first test flight in April 2023, which ended in the destruction of the entire Starship vehicle,<ref name="FoustLiftOff" /> significant work was done on the launch mount to repair the damage it sustained during the test and to prevent future issues.<ref name=":3" />

Meanwhile, following Starship's first flight failure, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required SpaceX to conduct an investigation on the mishap, grounding Starship pending the outcome of their investigation.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-08 |title=FAA Letter to SpaceX |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/70901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908173658/https://www.faa.gov/media/70901 |archive-date=2023-09-08 |access-date=2023-11-22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2023-04-24 |title=SpaceX Starship explosion spread particulate matter for miles |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/spacex-starship-explosion-spread-particulate-matter-for-miles.html |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425045623/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/spacex-starship-explosion-spread-particulate-matter-for-miles.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The FAA closed the investigation on September 8, 2023.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-08 |title=FAA Closes SpaceX Starship Mishap Investigation |url=https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120235659/https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |archive-date=2023-11-20}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Kristin Fisher, Jackie |date=2023-09-08 |title=FAA won't issue license for SpaceX mega-rocket test launch until 'corrective actions' implemented |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/08/world/faa-launch-license-starship-scn/index.html |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122184452/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/08/world/faa-launch-license-starship-scn/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The FWS concluded its environmental review on November 14,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2023 |title=faa.gov/media/72786 |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/72786 |access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> and the FAA gave its approval for launch shortly after.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=2023-11-16 |title=US FAA okays SpaceX license for second launch of Starship Super Heavy |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115232258/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="usfws-deluge-baa" />  

=== Investigation prior to launch ===

==== FAA investigation ====
{{Excerpt|SpaceX_Starship_first_integrated_flight_test#FAA investigation}}

==== FWS review ====
By September 2023, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) had not yet started a formal review of SpaceX's modifications, and based on the 135 day review period, the launch could have been postponed to NET 2024.<ref name="GizmodoFWSReview">{{cite news |author=Dvorsky |first=George |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Environmental Scrutiny May Push SpaceX's Second Starship Launch to Next Year |publisher=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/environmental-review-delay-spacex-starship-launch-1850853128 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919194421/https://gizmodo.com/environmental-review-delay-spacex-starship-launch-1850853128 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BNNBloomberg">{{cite news |author=Grush |first1=Loren |last2=Hull |first2=Dana |date=September 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX's Starship Still Needs Wildlife Agency Review to Resume Launch |publisher=BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/spacex-s-starship-still-needs-wildlife-agency-review-to-resume-launch-1.1973066 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920200522/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/spacex-s-starship-still-needs-wildlife-agency-review-to-resume-launch-1.1973066 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Federal Aviation Administration received the final biological assessment from the FWS.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} William H. Gerstenmaier, SpaceX's Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, called on the FAA to increase licensing staff.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robinson-Smith |first=Will |date=October 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX battles regulatory process that could hold up Starship test flight for months |work=Spaceflight Now |publisher= |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018150328/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Berger |first=Eric |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Citing slow Starship reviews, SpaceX urges FAA to double licensing staff |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher= |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/citing-slow-starship-reviews-spacex-urges-faa-to-double-licensing-staff/ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018000657/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/citing-slow-starship-reviews-spacex-urges-faa-to-double-licensing-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 19, 2023 the FWS surveyed the area around Starbase and the consultation with the FAA has been extended into November.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1715052447737979039|user=LabPadre|title=Fish and Wildlife Service is surveying the area around the Launch Site. Come tune in and watch live|author=LabPadre Space|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Davenport |first=Christian |date=October 17, 2023 |title=SpaceX to the FAA: The industry needs you to move faster |newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}} |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/17/spacex-congress-licenses-faa-starship/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017182022/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/17/spacex-congress-licenses-faa-starship/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The FWS reviewed the changes to the launch pad, especially the water deluge system.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dvorsky |first=George |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Review of SpaceX Starship's Water Deluge System Critical to Next Launch |url=https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |publisher= |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029232151/https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405 |url-status=live }}</ref> By October 31, 2023, the FAA had concluded the safety review portion of the launch license.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1719398989156544582|user=wapodavenport|title=FAA says it has completed the safety review ahead of the next SpaceX Starship launch but still waiting on an environmental review by Fish and Wildlife.|first=Christian|last=Davenport|date=October 31, 2023|access-date=2023-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-31 |title=FAA completes safety review of SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy license |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/faa-completes-safety-review-spacex-starship-super-heavy-license-2023-10-31/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104171001/https://www.reuters.com/technology/faa-completes-safety-review-spacex-starship-super-heavy-license-2023-10-31/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Conclusion ====
The FAA closed the investigation on September 8, 2023.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":5" /> The FWS concluded its environmental review on November 14,<ref name=":6" /> and the FAA gave its approval for launch shortly after.<ref name=":7" /><ref name="usfws-deluge-baa">{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2023 |title=faa.gov/media/72781 |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/72781 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115161007/https://www.faa.gov/media/72781 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref> 

=== Changes from the previous flight ===
After the first test flight in April 2023 ended in the destruction of the Starship vehicle,<ref name="FoustLiftOff">{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Starship lifts off on first integrated test flight, breaks apart minutes later |url=https://spacenews.com/starship-lifts-off-on-first-integrated-test-flight-breaks-apart-minutes-later/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119080816/https://spacenews.com/starship-lifts-off-on-first-integrated-test-flight-breaks-apart-minutes-later/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=SpaceNews}}</ref> significant work was done on the launch mount to repair the damage it sustained during the test and to prevent future issues.<ref name=":3" /> The foundation of the launch tower was reinforced and a steel water deluge [[Astronomy:Flame deflector|flame deflector]] was built under the launch mount.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2023-07-28 |title=SpaceX hasn't obtained environmental permits for 'flame deflector' system it's testing in Texas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/spacex-is-testing-a-flame-deflector-for-starship-without-permits.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007041738/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/spacex-is-testing-a-flame-deflector-for-starship-without-permits.html |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website={{wipe|CNBC}} |language=en}}</ref> Ship 25 was rolled to the suborbital launch site in May 2023 and underwent spin prime and static fire testing ahead of flight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romera |first=Alejandro Alcantarilla |date=2023-06-21 |title=Ship 25 begins engine testing as Starship launch pad work continues |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/ship-25-engine-testing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705115540/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/ship-25-engine-testing/ |archive-date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Once that was completed, Booster 9 was rolled to the launch site to undergo cryogenic proof testing, spin primes and static fires of its set of engines. By November 15, 2023 Ship 25 was stacked onto B9 for launch.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0 |title=Starship Receives License for Launch! {{!}} Countdown to Launch LIVE |language=en |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115230430/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 14, 2023, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded its environmental review.<ref name="usfws-deluge-baa" /> The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the flight its launch license on November 15, 2023.<ref name="Roulette">{{Cite news |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=2023-11-15 |title=US FAA okays SpaceX license for second launch of Starship Super Heavy |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115232258/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |archive-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref>

Significant changes implemented by SpaceX compared to the previous flight include an expansion of [[Engineering:SpaceX Super Heavy|the Super Heavy]]'s fire suppression system in order to mitigate any potential engine bay fires.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2023 |title=SpaceX - Updates |url=https://www.spacex.com/updates/index.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116001121/https://www.spacex.com/updates/index.html |archive-date=16 November 2023 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=[[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]}}</ref> SpaceX re-qualified their autonomous flight safety system,<ref name=":02" /> which had malfunctioned during the first flight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Callaghan |first=Jonathan |date=2023-10-01 |title=Termination shock |url=https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/termination-shock/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022181656/https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/termination-shock/ |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=Aerospace America |language=en-US}}</ref>

Other changes unrelated to the previous flights include a hot stage separation system in which Starship's second-stage engines ignite while Starship is still attached to the booster, pushing the two apart.<ref name=":02" /> SpaceX replaced the hydraulic systems of Super Heavy Raptor engines with [[Engineering:Thrust vectoring|thrust vector control]] driven by electric motors, citing fewer potential points of failure and more energy efficiency.<ref name=":02" />

The orbital launch mount and pad system was reinforced in a way that, according to SpaceX, should prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure observed during the first flight test.<ref name=":02" /> SpaceX also added, and tested, a [[Astronomy:Flame deflector|flame deflector]] for the launchpad.<ref name=":02" />

== Flight profile ==
The spacecraft flight plan was to lift off from SpaceX's Starbase facility along the south Texas coast, then conduct a partial orbit around Earth.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=2023-11-15 |title=SpaceX gets license for 2nd launch of giant Starship rocket |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-faa-license-second-starship-launch |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115235923/https://www.space.com/spacex-faa-license-second-starship-launch |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Engineering:SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy]] had a planned boostback burn followed by a [[Chemistry:Water landing|soft water landing]] in the Gulf of Mexico, similarly to a [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] performing a return to launch site landing (RTLS).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=SpaceX Starship IFT-2 |url=http://www.spacex.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307010135/http://www.spacex.com/ |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=[[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)|Starship spacecraft]] was then to re-enter the atmosphere and perform a water landing in the [[Earth:Pacific Ocean|Pacific Ocean]] near Hawaii, without performing a landing burn.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|+Mission timeline<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Starship's Second Flight Test - Flight Test Timeline |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118024832/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |archive-date=2023-11-18 |access-date=2023-11-19 }}</ref>
!Time
!Event
!November 18
|-
|−02:00:00
|SpaceX Flight Director conducts a poll and verifies go for propellant loading
|{{success}}
|-
|−01:37:00
|Super Heavy (booster) propellant load ([[Physics:Liquid oxygen|liquid oxygen]] and liquid methane) underway
|{{success}}
|-
|−01:17:00
|Starship fuel loading (liquid methane) underway
|{{success}}
|-
|−01:13:00
|Starship oxidizer loading (liquid oxygen) underway
|{{success}}
|-
|−00:19:40
|Booster engine chill
|{{success}}
|-
|−00:00:10
|Flame deflector (water deluge system) activation
|{{success}}
|-
|−00:00:03
|Booster engine ignition
|{{success}}
|-
|'''00:00:02'''
|'''Liftoff'''
|{{success}}
|-
|00:00:52
|[[Physics:Max q|Max ''q'']] (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
|{{success}}
|-
|00:02:39
|Booster most engines cutoff (MECO)
|{{success}}
|-
|00:02:41
|Starship engine ignition and stage separation (hot-staging)<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-21 |title=- SpaceX - Launches |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |access-date=2023-11-21 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121034547/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
|{{success}}
|-
|00:02:53
|Booster boostback burn startup
|{{partial success|9/10 engines were initially relit with multiple engines failing shortly after}}
|-
|00:03:21
|Booster flight termination
|{{failure|Boostback burn failed due to progressive engine failures, followed by the destruction of the booster at T+3:21}}
|-
|00:08:05
|Starship flight termination
|{{failure|Explosion following intentional oxygen vent, followed by flight termination at T+8:05}}
|}

== Launch ==
On November 11, 2023, SpaceX announced that they were targeting a launch date of November 17, pending regulatory approval.<ref name="spacex.com">{{Cite tweet|number=1723158118706839819|user=SpaceX|title=Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval → http://spacex.com/launches.|author=SpaceX|date=November 11, 2023}}</ref> On November 14, the FWS concluded its environmental review, and the FAA gave its approval for launch.
<ref name="usfws-deluge-baa" /><ref name="Roulette" /> On November 16, the flight was delayed one day,<ref name=":2">{{Cite tweet|number=1723153469673283850|user=SpaceX|title=Watch Starship's Second Flight Test|date=November 11, 2023|access-date=2023-11-16|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117192115/https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1723153469673283850|archive-date=November 17, 2023|url-status=live|url=https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1723153469673283850|website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref> due to a [[Engineering:Grid fin|grid fin]] [[Engineering:Actuator|actuator]] needing to be replaced on B9.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1725231694645461403|user=elonmusk|title=We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday|first=Elon|last=Musk|author-link=Elon Musk|access-date=2023-11-16|language=en|url=https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1725231694645461403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1725236942218948777%7Ctwgr%5E530a56512638bd11930f0c08acc38a2029a3b0ca%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=59803.280|website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref>

The first launch attempt of the second integrated flight test occurred on November 18 at 13:03 [[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (8:03&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]], 7:03&nbsp;a.m. [[Central Time Zone|CST]]).<ref name=":0" /> Booster 9 and Ship 25 lifted off the pad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harwood |first=William |title=Super Heavy-Starship climbs high but falls short on second test flight – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/11/18/super-heavy-starship-climbs-high-but-falls-short-on-second-test-flight/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118165728/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/11/18/super-heavy-starship-climbs-high-but-falls-short-on-second-test-flight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The rocket encountered maximum aerodynamic stress ([[Physics:Max q|Max ''q'']]'')'' with no anomalies reported.<ref name=":4" /> Starship executed a successful separation, powering down all but three of Super Heavy’s Raptor engines and successfully igniting the six second stage Raptor engines before separating the vehicles.<ref name=":4" />[[File:SpaceX Starship Ship 25 debris re-entering the atmosphere.png|thumb|The debris from SpaceX Ship 25 re-entering the atmosphere after the explosion as seen on the [[Earth:National Weather Service|National Weather Service]]'s radar's correlation coefficient<ref name="McDowell November 2023" />]]Following separation, the Super Heavy booster completed its flip maneuver and initiated the boostback burn, before exploding.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=SpaceX launches its giant new rocket but a pair of explosions ends the second test flight |url=https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85 |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120020601/https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Skipper |first1=Joe |last2=Roulette |first2=Joey |date=2023-11-18 |title=SpaceX Starship launch presumed failed minutes after reaching space |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-starship-launched-test-flight-texas-after-last-one-blew-up-2023-11-18/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123063309/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-starship-launched-test-flight-texas-after-last-one-blew-up-2023-11-18/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The vehicle breakup occurred more than three and a half minutes into the flight at an altitude of ~90 km over the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name=":4" /> Starship's six second stage Raptor engines then all started and powered the vehicle to an altitude of 148 km, above common [[Astronomy:Outer space#Boundary|boundaries of space]], and a velocity of ~24,000 km/h, becoming the first Starship to reach outer space and nearly completing its full-duration burn.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Josh Dinner |date=2023-11-18 |title=SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' (video) |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120125753/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |url-status=live }}</ref>

Near the end of Starship second stage burn, after over eight minutes of flight, prior to engine cutoff, telemetry was lost on the second stage.<ref name=":4" /> SpaceX said that a safe command destroyed the second stage<ref name=":4" /> prior to achieving its planned orbit or attempting re-entry.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Josh Dinner |date=2023-11-18 |title=SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' (video) |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120125753/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |url-status=live }}</ref> According to astronomer Jonathan McDowell, at his predicted re-entry point, NOAA weather radar picked up a debris cloud a few hundred miles north of the Virgin Islands.<ref name="McDowell November 2023">{{Cite tweet|number=1725917544114974995|user=planet4589|title=Thanks to NOAA's Kenneth Howard for pointing me to this NOAA weather radar data showing a debris cloud exactly over my estimated Starship reentry point!|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120035113/https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1725917544114974995|archive-date=2023-11-20}}</ref>

In January 2024, SpaceX said that because Starship carried no payload, they planned to vent excess liquid oxygen from the second stage near the end of the burn. The venting of that oxygen led to a fire and explosion. "Flight 2 actually almost made it to orbit ... If it had a payload, it would have made it to orbit because the reason that it actually didn’t quite make it to orbit was we vented the liquid oxygen."<ref name=sn20240113>{{cite news |title=SpaceX says propellant venting caused loss of second Starship |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-says-propellant-venting-caused-loss-of-second-starship/ |last=Foust|first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=13 January 2024 |access-date=14 January 2024 }}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
SpaceX and Cameron County reopened the road to the launch site a few hours after the launch. This was noted by CNN as a faster reopening than during the first flight attempt, when it remained closed for two days.<ref name="CNN" /> NASA administrator Bill Nelson congratulated the teams involved in the test flight, and retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield called it a "very successful 2nd test flight" in a post on [[Company:Twitter|X]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=2023-11-18 |title=NASA chief congratulates SpaceX on Starship's explosive 2nd launch test |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-launch-nasa-congratulations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120231619/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-launch-nasa-congratulations |archive-date=2023-11-20 |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref>  SpaceX considered the mission a success.<ref name="CNN"/>

Elon Musk later stated that the water deluge would not require any refurbishment for IFT-3.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=2023-11-20 |title=SpaceX's epic Starship liftoff didn't damage launch pad, Elon Musk says |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-launch-pad-good-condition |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129132324/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-launch-pad-good-condition |url-status=live }}</ref> According to SpaceX, the water-cooled flame deflector and other pad upgrades performed as expected, requiring minimal post-launch work to be ready for upcoming vehicle tests and the next integrated flight test.<ref name=":4" />

In December 2023 the FCC issued final denial of a $885M [[Engineering:Starlink|Starlink]] subsidy because all attempted Starship launches "have failed".<ref name="fccdenial" />
<blockquote>
A the time of the Bureau’s decision, Starship had not yet been launched. Indeed, even as of today [i.e. over a year later], Starship has not yet had a successful launch; all of its attempted launches have failed. Based on Starlink’s previous assertions about its plans to launch its second-generation satellites via Starship, and the information that was available at the time, the [Wireline Competition] Bureau necessarily considered Starlink’s continuing inability to successfully launch the Starship rocket when making predictive judgment about its ability to meet its RDOF obligations.<ref name="fccdenial" />
</blockquote>
== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" />

== See also ==
* [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship flight tests|SpaceX Starship flight tests]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Test spaceflights]]


{{Sourceattribution|SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 2}}