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The brilliant SpaceX Starhopper will have to wait a little longer to perform its biggest test in flight: according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the main "jump" of the prototype has been postponed because the company was waiting for the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The goal of SpaceX was to complete the test, which would require Starhopper to reach an altitude of about 200 meters at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas, last weekend, Space.com announced. However, on August 15, Musk tweeted that he had a "good discussion" with the FAA Space Manager and that the Starhopper "should be able to clearly take off soon."
Good conversation with the FAA Space Manager. Need a little more risk analysis and it should be clear to fly soon.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2019
Musk did not reveal a specific date for the next Starhopper test flight. However, Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4 will be temporarily closed on August 21st from 14:00. CDT at 12:00 pm CDT for the SpaceX events, said a Cameron County press release. Alternative dates have also been set for temporary closures, notably on 22 and 23 August.
Cam drone pic.twitter.com/gVdMrMgUZq
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2019
On July 25, Starhopper of SpaceX made its first unbound jump test at its Boca Chica site. During the test, the Starhopper launched its single Raptor engine and made a straight jump of 65 feet without technical problems. Previously, the prototype had made two captive jumps in April before this major milestone.
I just left the construction site of Starship Texas. Very proud of the progress made by the SpaceX team! The photos are of the rotation of the 9m dome and the Starship cell behind the windbreak. pic.twitter.com/1cmOzkPlkn
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2019
SpaceX also builds two orbital spacecraft prototypes, Mk1 and Mk2. Unlike Starhopper, the Mk1 and Mk2 models will have a different design and layout and will have at least three Raptor engines designed to reach their orbit. Musk is expected to provide another update of the Starship prototype design on August 24th.
Once all the tests are completed, the company's Starship and Super Heavy rockets could be ready to go into space by 2021.
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