More impressive than ever, the recent firing of 11 engines at the Texas launch site suggests that SuperHeavy will soon be ready for its first flight. Despite everything, the test schedule is getting longer and an orbital test in 2022 seems compromised. Starship hasn’t flown since May 2021…
And the production continues to assemble copies for nothing.
Firings again and again
The inhabitants close to the Starbase, the large double site of SpaceX in Texas (production and launch site), are now used to receiving letters from the company warning of a possible static firing of Starship or SuperHeavy.
Since September there have been four, a significant increase from the first attempts last year, or the long first half tries. The last two in particular involved the numerous engines of the SuperHeavy BN7 (or B7), 14 during a firing test on November 14, then 11 engines for 13 seconds on November 29.
Some had expected another burn, able to show off the combined power of igniting its 33 engines… but BN7 left the launch and test site yesterday to return (once again) to the one of the gigantic production hangars, a few kilometers away.
But no orbit, okay, okay
The calendar of the last tests questions. What remains to be validated before SpaceX can attempt its long-awaited orbital liftoff? Tank filling tests took place this fall with Starship SN24 mounted on its booster, the engine ignitions seem successful… Will the 33 copies of Raptor 2 really have to roar together on the launch pad? The latter continues to be reinforced, shielded, repaired between two tests, so we must hope that it withstands the shock.
Finally, there is the administrative question, because SpaceX will have to request a permit from the FAA for this experimental takeoff. Given the delays (and the fact that B7 is in the hangar) an attempt in 2022 seems unlikely. A path definitely longer than expected, especially when we look at Elon Musk’s statements last year: in an email to his employees at 1er December 2021, it announced that SpaceX “ faces a real risk of bankruptcy if we fail to fly Starship at least once every two weeks in 2022 “. Poignant, but SpaceX is still here, even though Starship hasn’t taken off.
Where are the other copies?
As for the Starship and SuperHeavy copies, it seems that the SN24 and BN7 are still the models for the first flight… but it is for the future that the forecasts are spoiled. For Starship, the SN25 example is next on the list, but it has not yet been tested with firing (and it is uncertain if it is already equipped with engines).
SuperHeavy BN8 was apparently assembled for nothing, since it was transported a few days ago to the ” rocket garden of Boca Chica, where floors awaiting dismantling are stored. The BN9 example is already assembled and if all goes as planned, it will soon join the test site for its first pressure tests before receiving its engines.
The road to regular takeoffs is still long, and criticism of the long-term project has not changed. 2023 will be crucial…
Source : Space
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