New SN10 SpaceX Starship rocket prototype could fly as early as Monday

Only a few weeks after its predecessor SN9 flew high then crashed on the Texas Gulf Coast, SN10 will try to improve that performance, and that could happen as early as Monday.

SN10 and SN9 are the latest versions of the SpaceX and Elon Musk spacecraft prototypes that the company has developed in full view at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Musk promised that the new generation rocket will be capable of revolutionary point-to-point travel around the globe, as well as the Moon, Mars and beyond.

In recent years, Starship prototypes have grown from small low-altitude “hops” to high-altitude flight demonstrations. The last two serial numbers, SN8 and SN9, both flew at altitudes comparable to commercial jets, but then came for explosive hard landings.

Musk had warned ahead of testing that he expected such “unplanned quick teardown” events to be part of the development process.

Following SN8’s flight and forced landing in December, SN9’s follow-up flight suffered a series of delays throughout January. It was revealed that SN8 had been launched without all the required approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration, and some sort of start-up competition developed while the FAA was then taking its time to grant the launch license for SN9.

Ultimately, the FAA was satisfied with the safety precautions for the test flight and SN9 finally flew on February 2. After his spirited return to Earth that afternoon, the FAA announced it would investigate “the crash” on landing.

On February 19, an FAA spokesperson said by email that the agency had closed the investigation into the landing accident, “paving the way for the SN10 test flight pending approval by the FAA license updates “.

“The SN9 vehicle broke down within the limits of the FAA’s safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property. All debris was contained within the designated danger zone. The FAA has approved the final incident report, including probable causes and corrective actions. “

From Monday morning, Christian Davenport of the Washington Post reported that the FAA launch license was granted, paving the way for the launch of SN10 after a static fire test.

This test took place on Tuesday and SpaceX was not entirely happy with the results. One of SN10’s Raptor engines was replaced and another test firing was completed on Thursday. A launch has been ruled out for Friday and the next opportunity is now Monday March 1, with save windows Tuesday and Wednesday.

Check back here for updates and a livestream once SN10 is ready to fly.

To follow CNET’s 2021 Space Calendar to stay up to date with all the latest space news this year. You can even add it to your own Google Calendar.