Tag: Starship
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Raptor 2 testing at full throttle on the SpaceX McGregor test stands
Numerous Raptor 2 engines are now being put through their paces at SpaceX’s test center in McGregor, involving static fire testing at the five test bays, ahead of the evolved engine being shipped to Starbase to be involved in future launches. While Booster 4 and Ship 20 remain at the launch site, Boosters 7 and…
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Chopsticks tested ahead of first Mechazilla stacking operation
Having conducted the first series of Mechazilla catch and stack systems tests, SpaceX’s Starship program has come one step closer to seeing another fully stacked Starship on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). Several tests were conducted with the chopsticks, paving the way for the first lift of a booster and a ship’s potential stacking following…
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SpaceX to leverage Starship for second generation Starlink constellation
SpaceX has provided some interesting context into its plans to launch vast numbers of next-generation “Gen2” Starlink satellites on its Starship launch system, in response to questions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Commission filed a series of questions to SpaceX last month, which the company has now addressed. In May 2020, SpaceX requested…
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NASA promotes East Coast Starship option at LC-49 following SpaceX interest
The prospect of Starship making its mark on the Space Coast entered another level this week when NASA revealed it would conduct environmental assessments on LC-49 to support Starship launch and landing operations. With SpaceX already confirming they will restart work on a Starship pad inside 39A, the potential of a second site at LC-49…
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Starship to stand on the shoulders of Saturn V and Shuttle at 39A
Elon Musk has confirmed Starship will add another chapter in Launch Complex 39A’s incredible history at the Kennedy Space Center. Although plans have always involved the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), early work on a pad for Starship at 39A has been mothballed since 2019, as SpaceX placed its entire focus on Starbase in Texas. However,…
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Starbase setting the stage for ambitious 2022 launch campaign
SpaceX is lining up a fleet of vehicles for an ambitious 2022 test campaign, opening with the first orbital velocity test in January or February, followed by the potential of around 12 flights during the year. Backing up that ambition is the production cadence at Starbase, with sections for Ship 24 recently spotted while numerous…
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Amid Ship 20 test success, Starbase prepares future Starships
With a significant milestone under its belt, Ship 20 awaits the next steps in preparing for an orbital velocity flight test, likely watching on as Super Heavy Booster 4 undergoes a more ambitious ground test campaign. The continued preparations with Ship 20 and Booster 4 continue amid a traffic jam of vehicles back at the…
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What to expect from the next round of Starship testing
SpaceX is preparing for the third static firing of the Raptors on board Ship 20 later this week. This is underlined by a series of road closures and a Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR) in place. This test series might be the first of the Starship program to involve up to six engines, including three Raptor…
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Major elements of Starship Orbital Launch Pad in place as launch readiness draws nearer
With the maiden orbital flight of Starship approaching, Orbital Launch Pad A in Starbase, Texas, is being built up to launch readiness. Over a year of construction has brought the complex’s various elements to the verge of launching the most powerful rocket in history. Assembly Timeline SpaceX started construction of the orbital launch pad on June…
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Ship 20 completes milestone RVac Static Fire – Musk cites ambitious path to launch
Ship 20 completed another milestone with Static Fire testing on Thursday evening. Following a preburner test earlier in the week, the RVac engine fired up for the first time on a Starship. Then, it fired up again, this time accompanied by a sea-level Raptor ignition, later in the evening. Meanwhile, another milestone was achieved at…