The fifth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship, known as Integrated Flight Test 5 (IFT-5), is poised to be the most ambitious test yet. Starship, consisting of the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage, will perform a full-stack launch. This test will focus on advancing SpaceX’s key goal of catching the Super Heavy booster mid-air with the "chopstick" arms on the launch tower. Successfully landing both stages will mark significant progress toward making Starship a fully reusable rocket system​.

Both stages have undergone extensive preparation, including successful static fire tests, where all engines were ignited while the vehicle remained stationary. This test is expected to push the boundaries of rapid rocket reuse, a crucial capability for future missions to the Moon and Mars​.

The launch date was Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 12:25 PM (UTC).