SpaceX has completed a successful engine test for its upcoming Starship test flight, igniting all six Raptor engines on the 165-foot-tall Starship upper stage at the Starbase site in South Texas. This marks a crucial step before the anticipated fourth test flight, potentially scheduled for early May.
Static fire tests like these, where engines are briefly ignited while the vehicle remains stationary, are routine prelaunch procedures. The data gathered from this test will help SpaceX prepare for the upcoming mission.
SpaceX is currently analyzing data from the third Starship flight, which took place on March 14. Despite the successful aspects of the mission, such as the ascent burns and Super Heavy’s boostback manoeuvre , the landing burn of the booster encountered issues, resulting in its breakup above the Gulf of Mexico.
The Starship upper stage, known as Ship, achieved significant milestones during the flight, including the successful operation of its payload door. However, it broke apart during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, deviating from the planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX aims to conduct multiple Starship test flights this year as part of its efforts to expedite the development of the fully reusable vehicle. However, regulatory processes, such as obtaining launch licenses from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, pose additional challenges. The FAA is currently investigating the events of the third Starship flight, and the timeline for completing this investigation remains uncertain.
IMAGE CREDIT: SpaceX