SpaceX’s SN9 spacecraft passes the tests of its Raptor engines – signaling that the rocket can take off TOMORROW, just a month after its predecessor made a hard landing and exploded on the launch pad
- SpaceX’s latest starship prototype conducted a successful static test
- The rocket ignited its three Raptor engines while attached to the launch pad
- Airspace restriction program that SpaceX made requests from Friday to Sunday
- This suggests that the new prototype could take off as early as Friday
Spacex’s latest prototype starship, Serial Number 9 (SN9), ignited its huge Raptor engines for the first time, signaling that the huge rocket is preparing 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 ship remains attached to the ground.
The SN9 can be seen on the launch platform of SpaceX’s Boca Chica test facility in Texas and then with wildfire and smoke coming out of its base.
Airspace restrictions for the area suggest that the first big ‘jump’ could occur as early as Friday – with reserve slots set for Saturday and Sunday.
SN9 will make the same journey as its predecessor Serial Number 8 (SN8), which was launched 7.8 miles into the air before turning into a ball of flame the second it returned to the ground.
Although the SN8 was destroyed, CEO Elon Musk considers it a success because he reached the desired altitude and collected a treasure trove of data along the way – paving the way for the SN9 to take its own leap.
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Spacex’s latest prototype starship, serial number 9 (SN9), ignited its huge Raptor engines for the first time, signaling that the huge rocket is preparing for its first high-altitude test flight
The new prototype is the second to feature wingtips and a nose cone, and appears to have the same body design as its predecessors.
And SpaceX enthusiasts will soon see their flight to the sky.
The static fire test saw the SN9 energize all three of its Raptor engines for just 1.5 to 2 seconds, which appears to be a shorter time than what was done with the previous ships.
Some viewers who have tuned in to a series of live streams showing pre-flight verification noted that the shortened test may have been a post-ignition abortion or was intentionally interrupted to prevent damage to the launch pad, which has occurred in the past.
Airspace restrictions for the area suggest that the first big ‘jump’ could occur as early as Friday – with reserve slots set for Saturday and Sunday. However, some Twitter user thinks this will happen on Saturday
Another ship is almost completed, the serial number 10 (SN10), which means that we can see two ships taking off at the same time.
A Twitter user asked, ‘With the SN10 almost completed and repairs being made in the landing area, do you think this is something that we will see in the coming weeks?’
The new prototype is the second to feature wing tips and a nose cone, and appears to have the same body design as its predecessors. And SpaceX enthusiasts will soon see that it goes to heaven
To which Musk simply replied ‘Yes’.
However, having two ships taking off at the same time depends on the fate of the SN9, which could end in a ball of flame and debris like its predecessor SN8.
On December 9, the SN8 exploded the moment it hit the ground after its first high-altitude flight that reached 7.8 miles.
On December 9, the SN8 exploded the moment it hit the ground after its first high-altitude flight that reached 7.8 miles
When the SN8 finally landed, it caught fire – and once the fire and smoke had dissipated, all that was left was a pile of rubble covered by what was left of the ship’s nose cone.
The ascent of the spacecraft prototype took about six minutes before the engines shut down and the SN8 began its journey back to the launch pad.
The world sat on the edge of their seats as the rocket approached the ground – wondering if Musk’s prediction of a crash landing would prove correct.
When the SN8 finally landed, it caught fire – and after the fire and smoke had dissipated, all that was left was a pile of debris topped by what was left of the ship’s nose cone.
Musk, however, considered the launch a success – saying that the prototype, even though it was destroyed, collected a treasure trove of data that will bring SpaceX one step closer to sending humans to Mars aboard the rocket.