SpaceX Starship SN9 test launch could take place as early as this weekend



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SpaceX appears to be preparing for a test launch of its SN9 Starship prototype, which could take place as early as this weekend.

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The aerospace company conducted a triple Raptor static fire test of the next-generation space flight system on Wednesday at SpaceX’s facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, which briefly showed all three engines of the test vehicle igniting .

“It looked like it was only a second or so, but it could be designed to protect the pad and still get the data you want,” said Chris Bergin of NASASpaceflight.com.

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The static fire test is one of a series of routine checks before starting a test. Due to a shorter than expected test firing on Wednesday, a second static fire test may be performed on Thursday. If everything goes as planned, the test could start as early as Friday.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. ordered road closures around the facility area for “Planned Test Launch Activities for SpaceX” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, Thursday and Friday . According to the Federal Aviation Administration, airspace restrictions are also in place around Boca Chica for Saturday and Sunday.

A SpaceX spokesperson did not immediately return FOX Business’s request for comment.

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A potential test launch of the SN9 comes after its predecessor, the SN8, made the first successful flight at significant altitude last month, reaching the same altitude as commercial jets.

The successful test was followed by a return to Earth with a new “flip manuever”, which appeared to be successful in orienting the rocket. However, the ship entered the launch pad too quickly, meeting a fiery end.

“Successful ascent, switch to the lead tanks and precise flap control to the point of landing!” Musk tweeted at the time. “The fuel manifold tank pressure was low during the landing combustion resulting in high touchdown speed and RUD, but we got all the data we needed!”

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Starship is a fully reusable transport system designed to transport both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship is expected to be the world’s most powerful launcher ever developed, with the capacity to carry more than 100 metric tonnes into Earth orbit.

In addition to SN9, SpaceX’s SN10 is said to be nearing completion. In response to an unofficial aerial photo edited to show two spacecraft on SpaceX’s South Texas launch pad, Musk teased that multi-vessel test operations could become a reality “very soon.”

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