Following the static fireplace check of Booster 9, which noticed the Raptor engines ignite on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) for the primary time in months, SpaceX lifted Booster 9 off of the OLM for its journey again to the manufacturing website.
Whereas 33 Raptor engines did ignite, 4 of them shut down early throughout the 2.74-second check. SpaceX does have the flexibility to examine and work on Raptor engines on the launch pad, however with 4 having obvious points throughout the check, they elected to maneuver the huge booster again and make repairs or change the engines out.
Further views from Tremendous Heavy Booster 9 static fireplace pic.twitter.com/gQt3rzydGN
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 8, 2023
This does increase a number of questions concerning the reliability of the present model of Raptor engines. Having eight exit throughout the first Built-in Flight Take a look at is one factor, however having 4 shut down early throughout a check fireplace after months of growth and check fires on the McGregor Take a look at Facility is one other. Elon Musk has stated they’re engaged on Model 3 of Raptor, which is able to assist with points which are occurring on the Model 2 Raptor.
As for Booster 9’s counterpart, Ship 25, it was additionally moved again to the manufacturing website on August sixth, the place it is going to proceed its preparations, together with ending heatshield set up and inspections following its static fireplace check in June.
Ship 25 completes a six-engine static fireplace check at Starbase in Texas pic.twitter.com/wCCrh0RRNA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2023
Ship 28 was moved again from the Masseys Take a look at Facility after present process a thrust simulation check. The following step for this car will likely be Raptor set up, adopted by engine testing of its personal.
All through all of those checks, the manufacturing website is actually continuous, engaged on future Boosters and Ships. SpaceX definitely doesn’t let anytime go wasted whereas they check and iterate on present and future designs on Starship.
Questions or feedback? Shoot me an e-mail at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.