[ad_1]
SpaceX successfully “ cryoproofed ” the first nose-based propellant tank of the first fully-assembled prototype spacecraft and used that same tank to ignite a Raptor engine, going through one of the last major tests before launching. the rocket for 15 kilometers (~ 9.5 miles). start.
On November 4, after a few false starts, the Starship Serial Number 8 (SN8) launched its first round of testing after becoming the first prototype to have a nose section permanently installed. This Wednesday evening, SpaceX likely subjected the rocket to a partial cryogenic proof test explicitly focused on SN8’s new nose cone and a small secondary propellant tank located at its tip. Designed to serve as a secondary reservoir for the relatively small amount of propellant that spacecraft require to land, SN8’s two collecting tanks were likely loaded with cryogenic liquid nitrogen – a safe, non-reactive substitute for liquid oxygen and methane.
Having proven that Starship SN8’s newly installed liquid oxygen collecting tank and associated plumbing are capable of loading, handling, and discharging tens of tons of cryogenic fluid while navigating a vertical pipe 40 meters high (~ 130 feet ), SpaceX was ready to take the next step: a wet dress rehearsal (WDR) and a static Raptor fire.
While SpaceX technically completed eight successful Raptor static fires on four separate prototypes, including the first three-Raptor static fire ever attempted with Starship SN8, the company never attempted static firing by firing only thruster from tanks. head (landing). Anything but essential for spacecraft to reliably re-ignite their Raptor engines in flight and keep landing propellant liquid cryogenic for hours, days, weeks, and even months, much smaller manifold tanks make it easier keeping the thruster under high pressure and in the right place to deliver Raptors.
After several days of back-and-forth test windows and an aborted attempt on November 9, Starship SN8 finally fired one of its three Raptor engines, fueling the engine with liquid methane and oxygen stored in two separate tanks. Oddly enough, a second or two after cranking up and igniting, Raptor’s usual exhaust plume was joined by a burst of glowing firework-shaped debris. A relatively normal five seconds later, the Raptor shut down, although the engine appeared to stay partially on fire for another ten seconds – also somewhat unusual.
Ultimately, the observed anomaly could be as simple as debris accidentally left near the Raptor plume or, although less likely, erosion of the concrete. There’s also a chance that these were pieces of turbopumps or Raptor’s complex pre-burners, though it’s also unlikely that the engine continued to run (as it did) if it didn’t. he had lost so much internal material.
(Update: Fortunately, NASASpaceflight.com reporter Michael Baylor says the debris cloud observed on November 10 “is not a [Raptor performance] concern,” making cushion debris the likely source.)
SpaceX canceled another static fire window on November 11, leaving the next opportunity for a second (of three) static fire scheduled between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. CST (UTC-5) on Thursday, November 13.
[ad_2]
Source link