This is just the nose Starship SN8.
Elon Musk
Just in time to distract from the chaos in Washington, DC, SpaceX is working on another high-flying next-generation spaceflight system.
The latest prototype of Elon Musk’s Starship, identified by the serial number SN9, has a short test firing of its Raptor engines Wednesday in the Boca Chica, Texas, development facility. The test is part of a series of checks, which could include another static fire, which could lead to a launch that could come as early as Friday.
Airspace restrictions also apply to Boca Chica for Saturday and Sunday.
SpaceX has been testing and repeating its Starship design for the past two years, starting with a series low altitude “hop. “The first successful flight of considerable altitude took place last month when SN8 reached approximately the same altitude where commercial aircraft do a large part of their flight.
The milestone is followed by a return to Earth and a new landing maneuver that seems to succeed in orienting the rocket, but unfortunately SN8 enters too quickly and encounters a spectacular and explosive ending.
SpaceX SN8 flew high and landed hard.
SpaceX / CNET video recording by Jackson Ryan
We may be happy and see the sequel to the trial of SN8 on Friday, but scrubbing and delays were part of the routine in the development process of Starship, so it seems equally likely that we will have to wait until later in the weekend or even later this month .
When SN9 flies, we’ll be carrying the video here. Stay tuned.