Around 12:30 CST (UTC-6), SpaceX Starship prototype serial number 9 (SN9) ignited its Raptor engines for the second time, followed by another Raptor ignition at 14:22 and a third around 15:37 .
All three tests were extremely short and reflect the first static fire of SN9, which ended earlier than SpaceX intended on 6 January. Eventually, however, the short-lived fires were intentional, according to a cryptic remark made by Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, shortly after the first.
More importantly, this is the first time ever that SpaceX completed or even attempted two Starship fires in one day, let alone two in as many hours. The fact that SpaceX was prepared to deal with two static fires within two hours already serves to confirm that the first test was successful, as the company would certainly not risk the vehicle error by doubling a failed or aborted test unless it could immediately determine the cause.
Per Musk, SpaceX is starting an engine [today], So far three “starts”. This description reflects the extremely short static fires observed today. The need for specific inflammation-related tests on SN9 also seems to imply that the first test of Starship ended prematurely due to a problem with Raptor inflammation.
Finally, less than 90 minutes after the second static fire of the day, Starship SN9 fired one or more of its three Raptor engines for the third time around 3:37 p.m. Musk soon confirmed that the third successful (or at least non-destructive) static fire had been completed.
Musk recently said that SpaceX now SN9 intends to secure the road and vehicle for inspections. If the inspections finally conclude that Starship SN9 and its three birds of prey are in good condition after an unprecedented busy day of static fire tests, SpaceX could easily turn the rocket over for a 12.5 km (7.8 miles) launch attempt as early as June 14 or 15. .
