Featured Image Source: @NASASpaceflight via Twitter
SpaceX is developing its next-generation launch vehicle at Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. Today, August 23, SpaceX teams ignited the Raptor engine installed on the Starship SN6 prototype that is set to conduct a low-altitude test flight. During the static-fire test, the stainless-steel cylinder remained attached to a testing stand as the single Raptor engine was ignited for a few seconds. This is how engineers assess the engine’s performance ahead of flight.
Earlier this week, Starship SN6 passed a cryogenic proof test in which the vehicle was filled with liquid nitrogen to pressurize the stainless-steel tanks under extremely cool temperatures. The proof test measures the design, weld, and structural strength to ensure SN6 can withstand high stresses of flight.
STATIC FIRE! Starship SN6 fires up Raptor SN29 at Boca Chica!
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) August 24, 2020
Latest Starship Status Article:https://t.co/d5Lq06iMtQ
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) NSF Stream:https://t.co/nsKLrLG1oy
Clip: pic.twitter.com/tZHwWAbymH
According to Cameron County Boca Chica website, road closure announcements indicate SpaceX aims to test flight Starship SN6 NET (No Earlier Than) Friday, August 28, at any time between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time (local) with backup opportunities scheduled for August 29 and 30. Starship SN6 is expected to launch 150-meters off the ground and land powered by a single Raptor. The flight comes at an unprecedented pace, the aerospace company flew the previous Starship, SN5, 150-meters above Boca Chica Beach and landed it successfully earlier this month.
The next test prototype in line, SN7.1, will be a tank that will undergo highly pressurized testing. Then, Starship SN8 will be the first fully assembled vehicle that will attempt a test flight if it completes pre-flight preparations successfully. SN8 will feature a nose cone and aerodynamic fins to perform a test launch of approximately 20-kilometers in South Texas, powered by a trio of Raptor engines. SpaceX officials shared Starship SN8 will attempt to conduct a “belly-flop” dive during flight before the Raptors touchdown on a nearby landing pad.
Multiple Starship vehicles are under assembly. Engineers aim to make launching and landing Starship prototypes routine before attempting to launch a test vehicle on a sub-orbital flight, at around 100-kilometers high.
SpaceX Boca Chica Build Site Aerial Flyover 08/20 🛩️📹🚀 @elonmusk #spacex #Bocachica
— RGVAerialPhotography (@RGVaerialphotos) August 22, 2020
Sorry about the clouds☁️ pic.twitter.com/ygAVNwqWdt
The South Texas SpaceX facility continues to grow rapidly, gigantic high-bays like skyscrapers are taking shape under the sunny skies of Boca Chica. The founder of SpaceX Elon Musk says Boca Chica is the “Gateway to Mars” and aims to transform the small village into a “21st Century Spaceport” and resort. The company says it will be an “epic” place for SpaceX employees to live and work towards shaping humanity’s multi-planetary future. – “I’ve been working in Boca since Sunday,” Musk said, “August heat & humidity in South Texas is intense! If you think of it like a tropical resort, that makes it better though.”
Musk was asked if the future resort will be open to the public, to which he responded – “Mostly for employees, but we’ll support public access whenever it’s safe & secure. Public support is critical to making life multi-planetary.”
I’ve been working in Boca since Sunday. August heat & humidity in South Texas is intense! If you think of it like a tropical resort, that makes it better though.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 19, 2020
About the Author
Evelyn Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
