SpaceX Starship SN9 tests on its Raptor engines – signaling the rocket could take off TOMORROW

Spacex’s latest prototype spacecraft, serial number 9 (SN9), has fired its massive Raptor engines for the first time, signaling that the massive rocket is preparing for its first high-altitude test flight.

The static fire test, which took place Wednesday evening, allows operators to fire the engines while the Starship remains tied to the ground.

SN9 can be seen sitting on the launch pad at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test facility in Texas, then with a raging fire and smoke erupting from its base.

Airspace restrictions for the region suggest the first big “jump” could take place as early as Friday – with backup slots scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

SN9 will make the same trip as its predecessor Serial Number 8 (SN8), which launched 7.8 miles into the air before bursting into a ball of flame the second it came back to the ground.

Despite the destruction of SN8, CEO Elon Musk considers it a success as it has reached its target altitude and collected a wealth of data along the way – paving the way for SN9 to make its own leap.

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The new prototype is the second to have wing tips and a nose cone, and appears to have the same body design as its predecessors.

And SpaceX enthusiasts may soon see it take off.

The static fire test saw SN9 power its three Raptor engines for just 1.5-2 seconds, which appears to be a shorter time than was done with previous ships.

Some viewers who have listened to a number of live broadcasts showing the pre-flight check noted that the shortened test may have been a post-ignition abortion or was intentionally interrupted to avoid damaging the launch pad. that has happened in the past.

Another ship is nearing completion, serial number 10 (SN10), which means we could see two ships take off at the same time.

A Twitter user asked: ‘With SN10 almost complete and repairs underway on the airstrip, do you think this is something we’ll see in the next few weeks? ”

To which Musk simply replied “Yes”.

However, getting two ships off the ground at once depends on the fate of SN9, which could end in a ball of flame and rubble like its predecessor SN8.

On December 9, SN8 exploded as it touched down after its first high-altitude flight that reached 7.8 miles.

The ascent of the prototype spacecraft took about six minutes before the engines shut down and SN8 began its journey to the launch pad.

The world sat on the edge of their seats as the rocket approached the ground – wondering if Musk’s prediction of a bumpy landing would prove correct.

When SN8 finally landed, it caught fire – and, once the fire and smoke cleared, all that was left was a pile of debris topped with what was left of the craft’s nose cone.

Musk, however, considered the launch a success – claiming that the prototype, even though it had been destroyed, had collected a wealth of data that would bring SpaceX closer to sending humans to Mars aboard the rocket.