SpaceX conduct static fire engine test on Starship SN9
Starship SN9 will attempt to launch and land at SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility more than a month after the SN8 model crashed was blown to smithereens. The prototype rocket will fly to a height of about 6.2 miles (10km), after which it will fall to the ground belly-side down and flip upright again before trying to gently touch down. SpaceX fans have been waiting all month to see the SN9 in action but the test flight has been fraught with delays, poor weather and even engine swaps.
Elon Musk’s company has also been quiet about its Starship launch schedule but good news could finally be around the corner.
The California-based company has updated its website to confirm SN9 will attempt to launch as early as Thursday, January 28.
SpaceX said: “There will be a live feed of the flight test available here that will start a few minutes prior to liftoff.
“Given the dynamic schedule of development testing, stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward SpaceX’s second high-altitude flight test of Starship!”
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According to Boca Chica road closures issued by Cameron County Judge Eddie Travino Jr, SpaceX’s launch window will be open between 3pm and midnight GMT (9am and 6pm CST).
Backup closures are pencilled in for Friday at the same time.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued temporary flight restrictions for Thursday and Friday.
The restrictions designate a no-fly zone around Boca Chica and Brownsville, Texas.
The restrictions are in place on Thursday and Friday between 2pm and 11.59pm GMT (8am and 5.59pm CST).
However, unfavourable winds and poor weather in the launch area could still lead to a scrub and reschedule.
SpaceX said: “Given the dynamic schedule of development testing, stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward SpaceX’s second high-altitude flight test of Starship!”
SN9’s test flight will mirror the launch of SN8 in December.
The Starship prototype will launch, powered by its three Raptor engines.
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The engines will sequentially shut down as SN9 reaches its apogee or highest altitude.
The spacecraft will then reorient itself for the descent, plunging towards the ground with its belly side down.
Starship will control its fall with four flaps – two at the front and two at the back – much like a skydiver controls their descent with their legs and arms.
SpaceX said: “All four flaps are actuated by an onboard flight computer to control Starship’s attitude during flight and enable precise landing at the intended location.
“SN9’s Raptor engines will then reignite as the vehicle attempts a landing flip manoeuvre immediately before touching down on the landing pad adjacent to the launch mount.”
SN8 failed to stick the landing last month but hopes are high SpaceX has learned a valuable lesson or two from the crash.
The goal of such an unorthodox landing method is to prepare Starship for “destinations across the solar system where prepared surfaces or runways do not exist”.
SpaceX added: “This capability will enable a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo on long-duration, interplanetary flights and help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond.”
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