The president of SpaceX mentioned an important test which must take place very soon. It must be the static firing of the Starship with all its engines.
The next few days and maybe even the next few hours could be decisive for SpaceX. According to its president Gwynne Shotwell, quoted by CNBC on February 8, the American company is about to carry out an important test for its Starship super-rocket. About February 9, the person concerned even said that it was ” a big day for SpaceX. »
An expected Starship firing
Obviously, this is the static firing of its new launcher, in its complete configuration, that is to say with the main booster and the upper stage, and all the rocket engines in action. This operation consists of simulating the steps preceding take-off, except that the rocket remains on its launch pad. It does not begin its ascent through the atmosphere.
The objective here is to test the operation of the 33 engines, at the same time, which has never been done. In its previous firing tests, the American company did not exceed the ceiling of 14 engines fired simultaneously. This “leap” has, according to Gwynne Shotwell, an element of risk. This is a test that can also have an unfavorable outcome.
” Keep in mind that this first try is really a test flight… and the real goal is not to blow up the launch pad, that’s what success is all about. “, she slipped during a conference in the United States. A remark that applies to everything the company does, whether it’s a static shot, the maiden flight or any other launcher design phase.
When things go wrong, Elon Musk sometimes uses an acronym jokingly: RUD, for “Rapid Unplanned Disassembly”. The founder of SpaceX had used this formula during the setbacks of the Starship SN9 test. A different way to present the disintegration of a rocket after its explosion.
The success of this firing would bring SpaceX a little closer to the orbital flight that the group wishes to perform with Starship. In January, the company validated another sequence, which consists of completely filling the tanks of the rocket. At this time, the Starship was deployed on its launch pad, in its final configuration, alongside its support tower.
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