Watch this unique view of SpaceX’s latest Starship rocket test

Watch this unique view of SpaceX’s latest Starship rocket test

As SpaceX continues to wait for the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the second test flight of its mighty Super Heavy rocket, the company recently conducted a ground-based test fire of the rocket’s upper stage, called Starship.

SpaceX posted footage showing the brief test fire from directly above (bottom video), with one of the Starship’s six Raptor engines powering up for about six seconds.

The test took place at SpaceX’s facility in Boca Chica, Texas, the site of the first launch of the Super Heavy and Starship (collectively known as Starship) in April.

Despite ending in failure when the rocket exploded in midair minutes after launch, the Super Heavy became the most powerful rocket ever to fly, packing around 17 million pounds of thrust at launch, almost double that of NASA’s Space Launch System moon rocket that flew for the first time last November.

The upper stage Starship vehicle is designed for reuse and so its Raptor engines will be used for controlled deorbit burns, whether returning to Earth or setting down on another celestial body. NASA is aiming to use a modified version of the upper stage to land two astronauts on the moon, possibly as early as 2025, though clearly there’s plenty of testing that has to be completed before that date can be considered concrete.

Following April’s failed test flight, the FAA ordered SpaceX to take 63 corrective steps before the second test flight. SpaceX says it’s now ready to launch, but the FAA has yet to issue the necessary flight permit.

Editors’ Recommendations

Watch SpaceX’s most recent Starlink mission in just 60 seconds

SpaceX gets big hint from FAA on next Starship launch opportunity

Elon Musk declares SpaceX’s mighty Starship rocket ready for launch

Watch the highlights of SpaceX’s Crew-7 arrival at the ISS

SpaceX calls off Friday’s Crew-7 launch to the space station

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

NASA eyes weather for Friday’s Crew-7 launch. Here’s how it’s looking

NASA and SpaceX are about to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in the Crew-7 mission.

The crew comprises American Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, Andreas Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency), Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Konstantin Borisov of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency. They’ll spend six months living and working aboard the station orbiting about 250 miles above Earth.

Read more

SpaceX images show its mighty Super Heavy rocket back on the launchpad

Read more

Watch NASA’s trailer for Friday’s crewed launch to the ISS

NASA and SpaceX are pretty much ready for Friday’s launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station.

The space agency posted a video on Monday as part of the build-up for Friday’s launch. You can watch it below.

Read more

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Digital Trends – https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/watch-this-unique-view-of-spacexs-starship-rocket-test/

Exit mobile version