SpaceX Static Fire test underway for SN9

glend (Glen) · #1 13-01-2021, 11:00 AM

At the moment SpaceX is conducting a static fire test at Boca Chica on Starship SN9. This is a precursor to its high altitude flight which may happen as early as the 14th of January. Live streamed on Utube, from LabPadre and NASAspaceflight channels.

Startrek (Martin) · #2 13-01-2021, 01:14 PM

Looking forward to this test flight
Hopefully Space X will nail the landing this time !!
Fingers crossed

Zuts · #3 13-01-2021, 02:39 PM

I am very excited by the progress Elon is making. Wish him all the best in his space endeavours.

I still cant get over a rocket that can be built in the desert and repaired at the panel beaters...

In todays money it cost NASA 156 billion (26 billion in 1973) for the entire Apollo program to get to the moon.

I reckon, complete guess on my part, he could do it starting from now for around 10 billion. He has 250 billion in the bank, but I also reckon just the profit from Space X and Star Link will be enough to fund his Mars ambitions.

glend (Glen) · #4 14-01-2021, 07:29 AM

Two static fires conducted today (last one circa 2:22pm CST, 7:22am AEDT) on SN9. Looks like it is ready to fly in the next couple of days. Video streamed on LabPadre and NASA Spaceflight Utube channels.

cannon_gray (Cannon Gray) · #5 16-01-2021, 06:45 PM

Elon Musk added that SN10 will be installed soon at another launch complex of the cosmodrome. In total, SpaceX is simultaneously building 8 more spacecraft of various modifications.

Startrek (Martin) · #6 16-01-2021, 07:22 PM

If you jump on the Space X site , the video stream says going live in 3 days which means launch date of 19th to 20th January ??
After so many delays in the past day or so I think the launch team want everything 1000% before SN9 launches
I think the whole world is patiently waiting for the SN9 test flight , me included
If they nail this test flight I believe the next successive test flights will roll out one after the other very quickly .........
Exciting times ..........

glend (Glen) · #7 16-01-2021, 08:41 PM

SpaceX is changing two of the SN9 engines, with number 44 swapped out today. According to Elon there were small issues that arose in the three static fires that required removal to fix. You can hear the abnormal shutdown "honk" from one engine during one of the tests. This has happened previously on SN8 and its not a significant delay, they have spare engines onsite. However it does mean that new static fire tests will need to be conducted prior to the flight. So watch for revised test info soon.