The stage is set for a milestone Static Fire test for Starship SN8 during a lengthy window that extends into Monday morning. Aiming to cultivate in the first-ever firing of three Raptors simultaneously, passing the milestone will allow for the nosecone’s installation – with a header tank – for a repeat test in around a week. SN8 Static Fire: Sunday night’s test follows an aborted attempt […]
Starship
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Installation of the three Raptors that will power Starship SN8’s unique test flight began on Sunday at SpaceX Boca Chica. The brand new engines will be the focal point of a test program that will involve at least two Static Fire tests ahead of a test flight to 50,000 feet. Starship SN8: SN8 underwent a total of three cryo proofing tests during the week. The first […]
All eyes remain on Starship SN8’s next-level test campaign, advancing the test program from 150-meter hops to high-altitude flights. Amid SN8’s preparations at the launch site – and numerous Starships, at various points of construction, at the Production Site – several Super Heavy sections were observed during the week in advance of stacking operations for the first prototype booster. Starship Status: Following SN8’s rollout to the […]
Starship SN8 has arrived at the launch site for a test campaign full of firsts for SpaceX’s prototype vehicle. Complete with aero surfaces, SN8 will be tested and launched with three Raptor engines on a refined test flight to 50,000 feet (15 km). This vehicle is the first in a family of Starships that will incrementally test the launch, return, and landing capability ahead of the […]
SpaceX’s family of Starship prototypes continues to grow ahead of what promises to be one of the most ambitious test programs in rocket history. However, with “excitement guaranteed,” per CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk, the test flight of Starship SN8 will require fans to set their expectations accordingly – as it launches to 60,000 feet before a bellyflop return and three engine flip and burn […]
Starship SN8 is to become the next prototype vehicle to undergo a test flight. CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk confirmed a readiness schedule for the vehicle that will fly with three Raptors, a nose cone, and aero surfaces. The update is an advance on SpaceX’s previous test schedule that was set to conduct multiple hops with SN5 and SN6. Following two successful 150 meter hops, […]
With two successful 150-meter hops in the bag for SpaceX, Starship testing is preparing to enter the next phase. Starship SN6’s successful 150-meter hop followed just weeks after SN5’s achievement. While SN5 is preparing to conduct another leap, Starship SN8 is closing in on its maiden flight, this time sporting three Raptor engines, a nosecone, and aero surfaces – likely to come after additional data is […]
SpaceX has successfully tested a prototype of its Starship, which it’s developing with a view to Moon and Mars missions. The rocket is a long way from an inaugural manned flight, but Elon Musk is happy with progress. Starship prototype Serial Number 6 (or SN6) took off from a launch pad at SpaceX’s facility in Boca Chica, Texas on Thursday. The stainless steel rocket ascended some […]
Starship SN6 is aiming to conduct a 150-meter hop test on Thursday, just a few weeks after SN5 completed the first Starship prototype launch. SN6’s test will be a near-mirror of SN5’s short flight, with both prototypes aiming to refine SpaceX’s launch and landing operations. Meanwhile, additional Starships continue to evolve, along with preparations for the Super Heavy booster, which – according to Chief Designer Elon […]
Starship SN6 is aiming to conduct a 150-meter hop test on Sunday, just a few weeks after SN5 completed the first Starship prototype launch. SN6’s test will be a near-mirror of SN5’s short flight, with both prototypes aiming to refine SpaceX’s launch and landing operations. Meanwhile, additional Starships continue to evolve, along with preparations for the Super Heavy booster, which – according to Chief Designer Elon […]
Starship SN6 is now into the business end of its initial test campaign, with a Static Fire test with her Raptor (SN29) engine expected as early as Sunday, ahead of a hop test at the end of the week. While SN6 is out at the launch site, numerous Starships are being worked on at the Production Facility, with SN5 undergoing post-hop processing, SN7.1 – a test […]
The Starship SN5 prototype is set to attempt a 150-meter test flight as early as Monday from Boca Chica, Texas. The hop will be the first flight of a full-scale Starship tank section. If the hop is successful, it will clear the way for SpaceX to attempt higher altitude flights with Starship prototypes. The launch window for Monday’s hop lasts from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. […]
Starship SN5 is aiming to succeed were its predecessors have failed by passing all the required testing required for the 150 meter hop. While Starhopper still holds the claim for being the only vehicle to take flight at Boca Chica, SN5 will be the first Starship prototype to take to the air, at least in a planned manner, should this coming week’s Static Fire test – […]
Starship SN5 is finally set to begin Raptor engine testing this weekend after a successful cryogenic proof test on July 1. If the static fire test is successful, it will clear the way for a 150-meter hop test as early as next week. The 150-meter hop will be the first test flight of a full-scale Starship tank section. A successful cryogenic proof test on July 1 […]
SpaceX’s Starship SN5 prototype is expected to perform a cryogenic proof test at the launch provider’s Boca Chica, Texas facility as early as Tuesday evening. The test will mark a rapid recovery for SpaceX – managing to return to testing a month after the previous vehicle exploded on the pad. The cryogenic proof is when the vehicle’s propellant tanks are filled with liquid nitrogen and pressurized […]
Following the May 29 explosive failure of the Starship SN4 prototype during a Static Fire test, SpaceX workers have been quickly making repairs to its Boca Chica, Texas launch facility. Starship SN5 is expected to roll to the launch site in the coming days in preparation for testing to begin on June 10. The anomaly totaled the existing test stand used to hold down the vehicle […]