A prototype of the Super Heavy first stage has been static fire tested. The test, in which only one of the booster's 33 engines was started, moved the company closer to its first test of the revolutionary Starship system. There was a test on August 8 at the Starbase facility. The static fire test was done as the booster stood vertically at the launch tower. Booster 7 has 33 engines, but only one was chosen to ignite.
There were two spin-prime tests conducted earlier in the day that didn't result in an explosion. The July 11 incident in which a gaseous mixture of methane and oxygen was accidentally ignited caused a significant explosion directly beneath the booster.
In preparation for static fire tests, which involve engine burns without an actual launch of the rocket, spin-prime tests are usually done. The gasses produced during the July 11 spin-prime test got started by an unknown source. The prototype booster was damaged in the explosion and will have to be repaired at the Star base factory.
Booster 7 came back to the launch pad on August 6 after 20 of the rocket's 33 Raptor engines were re-installed. On August 8, just one of the 20 Raptors wasprimed by flowing high-pressure gas through the engine to spin up its turbopumps without sparking its preburners.
It was later that day that the lone engine was started. This is the first static fire test of Booster 7 that the company has done, even if it is limited. The test seemed to go well, with the engine shutting down after four seconds. The prototype Starship 24 was the subject of static fire tests by SpaceX.
As it works to develop its revolutionary heavy launch system, it is a small step for the company, but a potentially big one for it. The first stage of the two-stage rocket is called the booster. The platform for delivering passengers and cargo to deep space is envisioned by the company. The human landing system for Artemis 3 is currently being considered by NASA.
The company uses more powerful engines than the ones used on its Falcon 9 rockets. A successful vertical landing on May 5, 2021, was achieved by the Starship upper stage. A launch of the fully stacked system has not yet taken place, but the company expects to do a test in the near future. Musk said a successful test could happen within the next year.
The sight of a single engine burn makes it difficult to imagine what it will look like when all 33 engines go-mode. The static fire test of Booster 7 was successfully conducted on August 8.
Huge crowds are expected for the inaugural launch of NASA's mega rocket.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
