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Following the static fireplace take a look at 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 web site.
Whereas 33 Raptor engines did ignite, 4 of them shut down early through the 2.74-second take a look at. SpaceX does have the flexibility to examine and work on Raptor engines on the launch pad, however with 4 having obvious points through the take a look at, they elected to maneuver the large 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 elevate just a few questions concerning the reliability of the present model of Raptor engines. Having eight exit through the first Built-in Flight Check is one factor, however having 4 shut down early throughout a take a look at fireplace after months of growth and take a look at fires on the McGregor Check Facility is one other. Elon Musk has stated they’re engaged on Model 3 of Raptor, which can assist with points which might be occurring on the Model 2 Raptor.
As for Booster 9’s counterpart, Ship 25, it was additionally moved again to the manufacturing web site on August sixth, the place it’s going to proceed its preparations, together with ending heatshield set up and inspections following its static fireplace take a look at in June.
Ship 25 completes a six-engine static fireplace take a look at at Starbase in Texas pic.twitter.com/wCCrh0RRNA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 27, 2023
Ship 28 was moved again from the Masseys Check Facility after present process a thrust simulation take a look at. The following step for this automobile shall be Raptor set up, adopted by engine testing of its personal.
All through all of those assessments, the manufacturing web site is basically continuous, engaged on future Boosters and Ships. SpaceX definitely doesn’t let anytime go wasted whereas they take a look at 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.
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