Quote:
Originally Posted by Startrek
Knowing the huge program ahead of Space X, I’m pretty sure they will have SN9 ready for test flight sooner than you think
They are talking about earth low orbital flights of Starship mid 2021 and Lunar orbital flights by late 2022 , Lunar landings to follow ....
The most progressive private space company in the world , no one comes near them at the moment IMOH
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SN9 has been resurrected, or at least put onto a new stand for repairs. Seems they have decided to repair it rather than scrap it. There is a school of thought that suggests these things will get dents in them, just bang them out and get on with the job. SN9 needs a new forward winglet but that only takes a day to swap. They had it out of the high bay to position the New stand and it is back inside now for corrective surgery. Should be headed to the pad by the end of the week I imagine. Pressures test required anyway before engine mounting.
BTW, cargo Starships must launch to Mars by June 2022 in order to pre-position stores and equipmeng for first crew flights in mid 2024. Not sure how high up the Moon is on Musk's priority list, but he certainly should have enough Starship shells for NASA by 2022.
Critical item on the timeline is the booster, they need to get a move on with that.