Another and this time longer static fire tests for Superheavy prototype #7
Capitalism in space: SpaceX engineers yesterday conducted a second static fire engine test of the 7th prototype of its Superheavy first stage booster, firing a different engine for 20 seconds.
The action ramped up on Thursday (Aug. 11) for Booster 7, which conducted a much longer static fire on Starbase’s orbital launch mount. The burn, which occurred at 3:48 p.m. EDT (1948 GMT), lasted for 20 seconds, SpaceX said via Twitter (opens in new tab).
The long-duration burn aimed to “test autogenous pressurization,” according to a tweet posted by Musk (opens in new tab) shortly before Booster 7 fired up.
Expect these engine tests to occur on a regular basis over the next few weeks, as engineers ramp up their operations in preparation for the first orbital flight of both prototype #7 with Starship prototype #24 stacked on top.
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Capitalism in space: SpaceX engineers yesterday conducted a second static fire engine test of the 7th prototype of its Superheavy first stage booster, firing a different engine for 20 seconds.
The action ramped up on Thursday (Aug. 11) for Booster 7, which conducted a much longer static fire on Starbase’s orbital launch mount. The burn, which occurred at 3:48 p.m. EDT (1948 GMT), lasted for 20 seconds, SpaceX said via Twitter (opens in new tab).
The long-duration burn aimed to “test autogenous pressurization,” according to a tweet posted by Musk (opens in new tab) shortly before Booster 7 fired up.
Expect these engine tests to occur on a regular basis over the next few weeks, as engineers ramp up their operations in preparation for the first orbital flight of both prototype #7 with Starship prototype #24 stacked on top.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
How many engines? One?
Seems like they are hooking B7 up to transport back to base, and install the 13 engines missing. The engines were spotted being moved into the high bay. We may see a much bigger static fire soon enough.
Woo Hoo!!!
Some have suggested they are racing to beat SLS. But I think the odds of SLS launching Aug 29 are basically zero. There will be delays. (Which sucks since my son will be there to watch that day… I have warned him of the unlikelyhood of seeing it launch. But I will be super duper jealous if he does!)
Somebody please wake me up when they light all 33. Thanks.
Engineers don’t race when there is no compelling business competition, which SLS is not. A good SLS launch first, will only put everybody in a happier mood and get the general audience more interested in the next big thing, which is Starship. In theory Starship moon landing contractneß depends on SLS, although the backup plan B is obvious.
On the other hand all investor owned businesses are on a race involving cash flow and roi and quality.
If SLS has a successful launch before Starship/SH it won’t change the real lead SpaceX has this year.
SpaceX has put 36 rockets into orbit or beyond this year.
If all goes according to plan NASA/SLS will have one launch this year. Sure SLS is a lot bigger than Falcon9 but not 36 times bigger!
If somehow SpaceX gets Starship/SH into orbit before SLS pundits will correctly point out that the big SpaceX rocket isn’t ready for real missions while SLS is ready to bring Artemis to the moon. But while SpaceX was working on it’s big rocket it was simultaneously launching more rockets than any other space competitor including major powers such as China!
Starship/SH’s early launches aren’t what will alter the game. When SpaceX establishes regular launches, if Starship/SH lives up to it’s potential of reusability and rapid turnaround, then SLS will be left as a dinosaur. The day SLS launches is not only the day it achieves it’s potential but also the day it nears peak potential. SLS can’t exceed the tonnage/year SpaceX is achieving today with Falcon. SLS can’t achieve reusability or lower it’s cost per launch to anywhere near SpaceX.
Doesn’t matter when SLS launches, the race is already over.
SLS will allow NTRs. Hydrogen is best for that. Starship for cargo…SLS and Alpaca for crew..
Now…in terms of something that may dwarf SLS and Starship both:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51364.msg2392880#msg2392880
New Armstrong may actually be a thing.
This makes me happy…that puny Delta II sounding rocket was a real crutch.