SpaceX completes Starship static fire test with all six engines
Capitalism in space: SpaceX today successfully completed a short static fire test of Starship prototype #20 using all six orbital engines.
Though this prototype has previously completed static fire tests, those used only two engines. This test was the first using all the engines that will fly on the spacecraft’s first orbital flight.
When that flight will occur remains uncertain. Elon Musk has said it could fly as early as this month. First however the FAA must give final approval of its environmental reassessment of SpaceX’s Boca Chica spaceport. The agency has released a preliminary draft approval, but that is not yet finalized, with no clear date on when an approval will be issued.
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Capitalism in space: SpaceX today successfully completed a short static fire test of Starship prototype #20 using all six orbital engines.
Though this prototype has previously completed static fire tests, those used only two engines. This test was the first using all the engines that will fly on the spacecraft’s first orbital flight.
When that flight will occur remains uncertain. Elon Musk has said it could fly as early as this month. First however the FAA must give final approval of its environmental reassessment of SpaceX’s Boca Chica spaceport. The agency has released a preliminary draft approval, but that is not yet finalized, with no clear date on when an approval will be issued.
The support of my readers through the years has given 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. Four years ago, just before the 2020 election I wrote that Joe Biden's mental health was suspect. Only in this year has the propaganda mainstream media decided to recognize that basic fact.
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. Even today NASA and Congress refuse to 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.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are five 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.
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Very good news!
I don’t think we’ve seen the 33 engine test of superheavy yet. That’ll be neat.
Scott Manley tweets an amazing point: “In theory this test article has more thrust than any single rocket in the world, there are some multicore and SRB assisted vehicles, but this is a single vehicle. No guarantee they went to full thrust on this test, but even then the lower limit is blistering.”
“Elon Musk has said it could fly as early as this month.”
Am I correct in assuming that they will first be doing static fire tests on SH, including one with all it’s 20+ engines?
That will be the milestone I’m looking for. Starship has had static testing and launch tests but SH hasn’t been lit yet.
When the StarShip separates from it’s booster, will it ignite all six motors for the push to orbit?
Or, will it continue on just the three vacuum optimized Raptors, and de-orbit and land just using the three, sea level Raptors?
Asking for a friend…
Am I correct in assuming that they will first be doing static fire tests on SH, including one with all it’s 20+ engines?
More likely a graduated series of static fires, starting with a small set of the engines, and going up from there to a firing of all of them.
Realistically, I think we have to assume that the orbital test flight will not happen until 1Q of next year – even if the FAA works expeditiously.
Starship 20 has lost some more of heat shield tiles during this static fire (about one minute into the video).
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54439.280
“When the StarShip separates from it’s booster, will it ignite all six motors for the push to orbit?”
I’m pretty sure it will use all 6, because gravity losses outweigh the ISP loss from the sea-level engines.