SpaceX conducts a successful six-engine static fire test aboard Starship 3, with the next test expected after Christmas » Today Latest Stories

SpaceX conducted a successful six-engine static fire test on its candidate spacecraft for the next orbital flight on Wednesday. SpaceX calls it Flight 3 Starship. It is actually the prototype of Starship 28 (Ship 28/S28).

This static fire test was performed on the upper/second stage spacecraft comprising a total of six Raptor engines. Of these six engines, three are at sea level and three are at vacuum level. Earlier this year, Elon Musk hinted that the spacecraft would contain 3 more vacuum engines in the future.

SpaceX has officially shared still images and drone footage of the Flight 3 Starship’s static fire test. The photos of this event are amazing. Slow-motion videos and high-resolution images show the magnitude of the spacecraft’s engine thrust and flames.

Interestingly, this time, a series of fire rings were seen wrapping around Starship 28 as we can see in the following image of the test. This is probably due to the evaporation of water vapors from the new water deluge system as the engines ignite and reflect the red/orange color around the spacecraft.

SpaceX is preparing prototypes of Starship 28 and Super Heavy Booster 10 for the next orbital flight test. Since it will be the spacecraft’s third orbital launch test, SpaceX has dubbed the mission “Flight 3.”

Spacecraft Flight 1 and Flight 2 ended with a rapid unscheduled disassembly (RUD). Despite this uncertain fate, SpaceX declared both missions a success. Because they provided hands-on experience in flying the spacecraft and provided a large number of data points to improve the hardware and software for future flights.

Flight 3 Starship has already gone through improvements over the past few weeks. Static firing tests are a sign that an orbital launch attempt is close. However, like last time, SpaceX may have to wait for FAA approval to launch the Starship into space.

Next set of tests

As SpaceX prepares for impactful Starship test, Cameron County issues road closure notices for Interstate 4 and Boca Chica Beach. These notices are provided to protect the health and safety of residents around Starbase.

One such notice was issued for the tests expected on December 22. But this notice has been withdrawn Further notice It is released now on December 27th.

Since Starship has already undergone a six-engine static fire test, the next major test should be a 33-engine static fire test of the first stage rocket, i.e. Super Heavy Booster 10 as performed on Booster 9. However, SpaceX may want This is to replicate the 6-engine static fire test on the Starship 28. So, we’ll have to wait for that test after Christmas.