This sixth test flight will feature both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft, following the successful testing of the most powerful rocket on October 13.

NASA is closely watching the development of the Starship, which is intended for use in the Artemis III mission aimed at landing humans on the Moon in 2026.

SpaceX has transported the Flight 6 Super Heavy booster to the Starbase launchpad for pre-launch testing, a move announced on October 22, 2024.

Although a specific date for the sixth test flight has not been confirmed, it is anticipated to take place by the end of November, contingent on FAA clearance.

In addition to its launch activities, SpaceX's Starlink service has reached 4 million customers globally, showcasing its expanding internet-from-space capabilities.

The Crew-9 mission includes NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, featuring unusual seating arrangements to accommodate returning astronauts from the ISS.

To honor its engineers as they prepare for the first booster catch attempt during the upcoming test flight, SpaceX recreated the iconic 'Lunch Atop a Skyscraper' photo.

The FAA has granted SpaceX clearance to launch, provided they maintain the same mission profile as Flight 5; any modifications will necessitate further FAA review.

In a related event, a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on September 28, 2024, carrying two crew members to the ISS after delays caused by Hurricane Helene.

During the previous test, the launch tower successfully caught the Super Heavy booster after it deployed the Starship to orbit, marking a significant milestone for SpaceX's reusable rocket system.