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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 in the course of 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 in the course of 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 increase a couple of questions in regards to the reliability of the present model of Raptor engines. Having eight exit in the course of 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 mentioned they’re engaged on Model 3 of Raptor, which is able to assist with points which can 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 can 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 car will likely be Raptor set up, adopted by engine testing of its personal.
All through all of those exams, the manufacturing web site is actually continuous, engaged on future Boosters and Ships. SpaceX actually 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 electronic mail at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.
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