SpaceX ignites massive Starship rocket in preparation for its third test flight
SpaceX’s most recent Starship vehicle has started demonstrating its significant power.
SpaceX performed a static fire test today (December 20) with the Starship upper-stage prototype called Ship 28. During the test, the vehicle’s Raptor engines were briefly ignited while it was still attached to the pad at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas.
Spacecraft 28 is being prepared for Starship’s third test flight, which SpaceX plans to fly in the upcoming weeks. And that schedule seems to be on track since today’s trial went smoothly.
SpaceX announced this afternoon on X (previously known as Twitter) that Flight 3 Starship successfully conducted a static fire test of its Raptor engines, with all six engines being used. The announcement also included a video of the test.
The prototype of the upper stage of the Starship, known as Ship 28, carries out a static fire test with six engines on December 20, 2023.
Starship is made up of two parts: a large first-stage booster named Super Heavy and an upper-stage spaceship known as Starship, which stands at a height of 165 feet (50 metres).
SpaceX’s cutting-edge Raptor engine powers both of these phases, which are meant to be completely and quickly reusable. Super Heavy employs 33 Raptors, and Starship is equipped with six of them, as mentioned in SpaceX’s recent post on X.
Starship has made two flights thus far, including test missions in April and November of this year. Both missions were intended to launch the upper stage on a trajectory that would take it most of the way around Earth to land in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.
Both flights failed to attain that objective. Starship encountered several issues during its April premiere, namely the unsuccessful separation of its two stages as intended, and SpaceX deliberately destroyed the vehicle four minutes after liftoff.
Flight 2 achieved several significant accomplishments, including the successful separation of stages and a normal burn of the first-stage engine. However, it also concluded prematurely when the upper stage exploded approximately eight minutes after liftoff.
The Starship Die Cast Rocket Model is currently priced at $69.99 on Amazon. If you are unable to personally witness SpaceX’s Starship, you have the option to obtain a replica for yourself. This desktop model of SpaceX’s Starship has a height of 13.77 inches (35 cm) with a 1:375 scale ratio. The materials used here are made of alloy steel and weigh only 225g. Please be aware that the stock is limited, so it is advisable to take prompt action to secure your purchase.
The ongoing testing of Ship 28 and its flight companion, a prototype of the Super Heavy known as Booster 10, shows that SpaceX intends to launch Starship once more shortly.
It is uncertain when that will occur, though. Despite successful testing, SpaceX may still need to wait for a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA is supervising an inquiry into the events that occurred on Flight 2; it will not issue a license until the investigation is complete and SpaceX has taken any necessary corrective measures.
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