It looks like SpaceX will try to do a 15 km (9.3 mile) hop test before Christmas! After two successful 150-meter (~ 500-foot) hops SN5 And SN6 Engineers of SpaceX’s Boca Chika launch facility in Prototypes, South Texas take out the SN8 – first Starship Is the prototype Three Raptor engines. But before the SN8 could manage a high-altitude test flight, engineers needed to run a steady fire test.
This test is important to make sure StarshipInternal plumbing can handle its cryogenic propellants, and this is the last milestone. Starship Can arrange high-altitude flight. In the evening Tuesday, October 20thth, That’s exactly what they did! At 3:13 a.m. local time (01:13 AM PDT; 04:13 AM EDT), the SN8 set fire to three of its Raptor engines and continued firing for several seconds.
Although SpaceX has not yet released a statement about the test, the footage was obtained by Mary McConaughey (aka) of NASA’s spaceflight near the launch facility. @ Bokachika Gail) Would suggest that it was a success. Video of the event (posted below) shows the engine released after landing on 2h27m12s for several minutes and lasts for several seconds.
With this milestone achieved, the company appeared ready to undergo the historic 15 km (9.3 mile) hop test. At the moment, this is likely to happen before the end of October or early November. While the SN8 was retrieving its three Raptor engines and preparing to test them for fire, another team was busy assembling the nose cones in another part of the facility.
Not after Starhopper The test vehicle was in service Starship The prototype comes with a nose cone. However, this section was removed shortly thereafter Starhopper Flowing in strong winds January 2019. What remained, the lower part of the single-engine, went to run one Tear Hope TestAfter the free-flight hope test 20 meters (F 65 feet)
In August 2019, this test a 150 meters (~ 500 ft) Hope test, a feat that is not completed with the SN5 and SN7 prototypes again a year later. Since then, the development of the SN8 has progressed rapidly, beginning with a series of test tests with the core (starting October 6).th On October 8th) Certifying its steel propellant tanks in preparation for its static fire test.
Wide fluctuating flaps were then attached to the main body and the corners of the nose. The nose cone was then connected to the SN8 Fitzgerald by crane on Thursday (October 22).N.D.), An event that was observed by many observers who took pictures and footage. Here is a video of the stacking operation recorded by the above LabPadre, Which was created using them 24 hours live-coverage Boca Chika launch facility.
With the nose cones and flaps installed, the vehicle is now in its final form Starship First time design. With the integration of its three engines, the nose cone, and the rigging flaps, the SN8 is ready to attempt its 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) hop test, including a “ly dip-flopThe cunning will test its ability to return to the landing site using its own moving surfaces.
According to Musk’s previous statements, SpaceX expects to conduct a superbital hop test at an altitude of 200 km (~ 125 miles) sometime next year. For this final exam Starship Equipped with six Raptor engines – three adapted to sea level thrust and three adapted to space. Also busy working on the company Super heavy An element of the launch system, with no less than 28 Raptor engines.
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