{"id":22356,"date":"2021-12-11T00:01:26","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T16:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-launches-first-full-scale-prototype-starship-vehicle-to-12-5-km-this-day-in-space-9-dec-2020\/"},"modified":"2021-12-11T00:01:26","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T16:01:26","slug":"spacex-launches-first-full-scale-prototype-starship-vehicle-to-12-5-km-this-day-in-space-9-dec-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-launches-first-full-scale-prototype-starship-vehicle-to-12-5-km-this-day-in-space-9-dec-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX launches first full-scale prototype Starship vehicle to 12.5 km | This Day in Space (9 Dec. 2020)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What was SpaceX\u2019s Starship SN8?<\/h2>\n

SN8 was an early prototype of SpaceX\u2019s Starship spacecraft, the second stage of the Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle. SN8 was the eleventh Starship test article, including test tanks, prototypes, and the infamous Starhopper.<\/p>\n

Starship development in the Boca Chica, Texas area started about a year and a half before SN8\u2019s construction began. A small team of SpaceX engineers began building proof of concept designs out in the middle of a dirt field \u2013 A very different development process from conventional programs. This led to the coverage of Starship\u2019s development to become extremely popular, with 24\/7 livestreams keeping a watchful eye on SpaceX.<\/p>\n

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The goal for SN8 was to be the first to conduct a high-altitude test to gather flight data. Secondly, SN8 was to verify both the Starship and new Raptor engine designs in flight. If it landed, it would be a plus. Even if it made it a kilometer into the sky, it would be a win.<\/p>\n