Tag: SN15
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One year since SN15, Starbase lays groundwork for orbital attempt
It’s been a whole year since the last launch out of Starbase, Texas – as SpaceX continues to lay the groundwork for the orbital launch attempt. Somewhat a victim of their own success, the achievement of SN15’s test flight removed the need for additional “hops,” with Chief Designer Elon Musk opting to go all-in on…
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Starship SN15 patiently awaits a decision – The Road to Orbit
Following its successful launch and landing, Starship SN15 has been placed back onto a launch mount for inspections and a potential re-flight. The upcoming test schedule will be focused on providing a green light for an orbital attempt that has already been filed with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Starship SN15: SpaceX finds itself in…
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Following Starship SN15’s success, SpaceX evaluating next steps toward orbital goals
SpaceX is considering numerous options for the upcoming Starship test schedule as the goal of reaching orbit by the summer becomes increasingly realistic. Following Starship SN15’s successful test, options include reflying the vehicle to achieve key reusability objectives, launch SN16 to a higher altitude, or push straight through to orbital testing on Super Heavy. Starship…
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Starship SN15 conducts smooth test flight and nails landing
Starship SN15 proved out a number of upgrades that resulted in a smooth touchdown on the Boca Chica landing pad on Wednesday. The successful test took place amid ongoing groundwork for the push to orbit is taking place both at the Orbital Launch Site and elsewhere in Texas as a new dual-bay Raptor test stand…
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Starship SN15 prepares for flight following major NASA vindication
Starship SN15 is expected to undergo a Static Fire test as early as this week to clear the path for a test flight as SpaceX’s rapidly reusable interplanetary launch and landing system gained a massive sign of NASA approval – and a ton of government cash to boot. SpaceX was the sole winner of NASA’s…
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Starship SN11 lands in bits as SpaceX refine forward plan
Surrounded by a blanket of fog, Starship SN11 launched on Tuesday before suffering an issue ahead of landing. Over at the Production Site, Super Heavy prototype BN1 was stacked ahead of what was expected to be a rollout and ground testing, before Elon Musk noted shortly after SN11’s launch that it will be scrapped. SN15…
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Starship SN11 prepares to fly as SpaceX pushes for Orbital flight this summer
Starship SN11 will re-attempt a Static Fire test Thursday – following a scrub on Monday – ahead of a potential flight as early as the weekend or the start of next week. Forever subject to change due to numerous considerations – ranging from weather, hardware parameters, and paperwork approval – SN11 will mark the final…
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Starship SN11 arrives at Pad B as SpaceX plans for the future
Just days after SN10 completed the first – albeit hard – Starship prototype landing, SN11 rolled out to the launch site for its own attempt. Incremental progress is being made with the test flights, with another tweak to the landing sequence set to be implemented, based on data gained from SN10. Meanwhile, the first Super…
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Starship SN10 Static Fires twice – Super Heavy waiting in the wings
Starship SN10’s wait for launch, following weather-related delays, could soon be over following an optimistic update from Chief Designer Elon Musk. However, following SN10’s Static Fire test – which was conducted on Tuesday – a record turnaround of an engine swap was conducted, allowing for a second test on Thursday and a launch to be…
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Starship SN10’s Raptors installed as testing begins
The three Raptor engines tasked with Starship’s third high altitude test flight have been installed into the aft of SN10. Pending acceptable results from an upcoming Static Fire test, SN10 will be tasked with repeating the flight of her deceased sisters, SN8 and SN9, before a landing attempt that will utilize a slightly different approach…