SpaceX’s Starship SN9 passes the tests of its Raptor engines – indicating that the rocket could explode TOMORROW, just a month after its predecessor made an accidental landing and exploded on the launch pad.
- SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype successfully performed static test
- The rocket set fire to its three Raptor engines while it was attached to the launch pad
- SpaceX airspace restriction program made requests for Friday to Sunday
- This indicates that the new prototype can already start on Friday
Spacex’s latest Starship prototype, Serial Number 9 (SN9), has lit its massive Raptor engines for the first time, indicating that the massive rocket is ready for its first high-altitude test flight.
The static fire test, which took place on Wednesday night, allows operators to start the engines while the Starship is attached to the ground.
SN9 can be seen sitting at the launch site of SpaceX’s Boca Chica test facility in Texas, and then fire and smoke rage from its base.
Airspace restrictions for the area indicate that the first major ‘hop’ could have taken place as early as Friday – with backup slots set on Saturday and Sunday.
SN9 will embark on the same journey as its predecessor Serial Number 8 (SN8), which launched 7.8 miles into the air before catching fire in a ball the second time it returned to the ground.
Despite the fact that SN8 was destroyed, CEO Elon Musk considers it a success because he did reach his targeted height and collected a crowd of data along the way, paving the way for SN9 to to take a leap.
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Spacex’s latest Starship prototype, Serial Number 9 (SN9), has lit its massive Raptor engines for the first time, indicating that the massive rocket is ready for its first high-flying test flight.
The new prototype is the second to boast wingtips and a nose cone, and looks like it has the same body design as its predecessors.
And SpaceX enthusiasts may soon see it take to the skies.
The static fire test indicated the SN9 power of all three of its Raptor engines was only 1.5 to 2 seconds long, which is apparently shorter than what was done with the previous Starships.
Some viewers looking at a number of live streams showing the check before the flight noted that the abbreviated test may have been an interruption or that it was deliberately cut short to prevent damage to the launch pad, which occurred in the past .
Airspace restrictions for the area suggest that the first major ‘hop’ could have taken place as early as Friday – with backup slots set on Saturday and Sunday. However, some Twitter users think it will happen on Saturday
Another Starship is nearby, Serial Number 10 (SN10), which means we can fly two Starships at the same time.
A Twitter user asked, ‘With SN10 almost complete and repairs being done to the runway, do you think this is something we will see in the next few weeks? ‘
The new prototype is the second to boast wingtips and a nose cone, and looks like it has the same body design as its predecessors. And SpaceX enthusiasts may soon see it take to the skies
To which Musk simply replied ‘Yes’.
However, having two Starships take off at the same time depends on the fate of SN9, which can end up in a sphere of flames and debris like its predecessor SN8.
On December 9, SN8 exploded at the moment it hit the ground after its first high flight that reached 7.8 miles.
On December 9, SN8 exploded the moment it fell to the ground after its first high flight that reached 7.8 miles
When SN8 finally touched, it caught fire – and as soon as the fire and smoke came on, all that was left was a heap of rubbish, on top of what was left of the nose cone of the rig.
The take-off of the prototype spacecraft took about six minutes before the engines were switched off and SN8 started again to the starting point.
The world sat on the edge of its seats as the rocket approached the ground – wondering if Musk’s prediction of a bumpy landing would turn out to be correct.
When SN8 finally touched it, it caught fire – and as soon as the fire and smoke subsided, all that was left was a heap of rubbish, left with the remaining nose cone.
Musk, however, considers the launch a success and says that the prototype, although destroyed, has collected a wealth of data that will take SpaceX one step closer to sending humans to Mars aboard the rocket.