{"id":24371,"date":"2023-02-09T18:03:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T10:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starship-program-conducts-major-test-firing-31-of-33-super-heavy-engines\/"},"modified":"2023-02-09T18:03:05","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T10:03:05","slug":"starship-program-conducts-major-test-firing-31-of-33-super-heavy-engines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starship-program-conducts-major-test-firing-31-of-33-super-heavy-engines\/","title":{"rendered":"Starship program conducts major test, firing 31 of 33 Super Heavy engines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX\u2019s Starship program has reached a major milestone ahead of its historic launch with a static fire test of Booster 7, successfully firing 31 of the booster\u2019s 33 engines for the full planned duration.<\/p>\n<p>The test aimed to validate numerous systems, not least the Ground Support Equipment (GSE), which has never previously had to cater to the power of this many Raptor 2 engines firing simultaneously.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX 33-Engine Static Fire of Booster 7\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2kG4AbAcia0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Major Starship Milestone<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the challenges yet to come ahead of the flight, Booster 7 will go down in the test program\u2019s history as a major data gatherer to the benefit of vehicles set to follow in its footsteps.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91720\" class=\"wp-image-91720 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-350x231.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-530x350.jpg 530w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-1920x1269.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-1170x773.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-780x516.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-04-52-50-073-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-91720\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Full stack during the WDR including a sporty methane vent. (Credit: Nic Ansuini for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Super Heavy\/Starship Section<\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With a year of launch site testing \u2013 including numerous trips back to the Production Site for repairs and upgrades \u2013 Booster 7 is now on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) for what is hoped to be the final time ahead of launch.<\/p>\n<p>Having already passed a key milestone of the full-stack Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), its current partner \u2013 Ship 24 \u2013 was rolled back to the Production Site to allow Booster 7 to prepare to fire all 33 of its Raptor 2 engines.<\/p>\n<p>While a couple of Raptor engines were swapped out, work to strengthen the OLM continued in the interim period, with \u201cStage Zero\u201d set to provide an important set of data points from the Static Fire test.<\/p>\n<p>Technology News<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Shuttle models<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Shuttle<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX chief designer Elon Musk has previously noted that Stage Zero is more complex than the actual rocket.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91721\" class=\"wp-image-91721 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-350x230.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-533x350.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-1920x1261.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/NSF-2023-02-09-05-00-49-154-1170x768.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-91721\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">OLM surrounded by scaffolding, which has since been removed. (Credit: Jack Beyer for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n<p>Even the concrete base below the OLM will be closely monitored.<\/p>\n<p>Some previous tests of the Ship \u2013 involving just the six engines firing \u2013 have resulted in flying concrete, which is undesirable during engine ignition for launch.<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, SpaceX continues to test concrete surfaces at its McGregor facility, gathering data on the interactions between Raptor engines on the test stands and concrete blocks installed in the plume\u2019s path.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Is SpaceX Firing Rocket Engines at Concrete?\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bQSYGdk1qZc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It is possible that SpaceX will have a water deluge system installed at the pad for future launch attempts, with an array of pipes and tanks recently being shipped from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX has wasted little time since the barge full of hardware arrived at the Port of Brownsville, with the water tanks already placed into position at the Orbital Launch Site.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Water Deluge and GSE Equipment Delivered | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3YVCxCTf4wc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid2\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>As is in SpaceX\u2019s nature \u2013 which has served the company well over the years \u2013 the Static Fire test falling two engines short of all 33 is still major progress toward flight readiness.<\/p>\n<p>Should the test have suffered a more dramatic failure, providing any resulting damage was not significant, SpaceX has Booster 9 ready to roll at the Production Site. This booster also sports the next evolution of upgrades, which will aid confidence in what would likely be an accelerated test flow for this booster.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-91740 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1-350x70.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1-630x126.png 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1-768x154.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raptor-Ring-of-Fire_Forum-Ad-1-1170x234.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\"><\/p>\n<p>Ship 25 is also at the launch site, although a potential test earlier this week was scrubbed, returning the focus to Booster 7.<\/p>\n<p>Future vehicles are forming an orderly line at the Production Site, with Ship 26 and Booster 10 in various stages of assembly, not to mention parts of vehicles through Booster 15 and Ship 32.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91722\" class=\"wp-image-91722 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-467x350.jpg 467w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tpitm1-wmarked-1170x878.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-91722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Future vehicles wait their turn. (Credit: Nomadd for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n<p>Some of these vehicles are set to enjoy a barge trip to KSC, ready to serve as pathfinders for the Starship launch site at LC-39A. This will be the interim flow while a dedicated Starship production facility at Roberts Road is completed.<\/p>\n<p>With Starbase cited as a test and development center, the bulk of Starship\u2019s launch cadence will be focused on the East Coast, with 39A serving as the flagship launch site.<\/p>\n<p>Two additional pads could be built at nearby LC-49, which is understood to be making good progress through an inter-agency and public scoping for the proposed Environmental Assessment.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-91716\" class=\"wp-image-91716 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2039\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1.jpg 2039w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-350x183.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-630x330.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-1920x1005.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-1170x612.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2039px) 100vw, 2039px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-91716\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Envisioning of LC-49 and LC-39A. (Credit: Jay DeShetler for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n<p>NASA is working on this process that also seeks input from other agencies, organizations, and the public on potentially affected resources, environmental issues, and the agency\u2019s planned approach to analysis.<\/p>\n<p>While SpaceX has shown it can build a fleet of vehicles at a good pace at Starbase, the addition of Roberts Road production will be designed to keep all three launch sites at KSC busy, which is an important part of the overall roadmap.<\/p>\n<p>This week, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, cited the need for hundreds of uncrewed launches before humans ride on the new rocket system. Elon Musk has previously stated this is required to \u201cshake out\u201d the rocket to a level of safety that will satisfy crewed flights.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 411px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1623396933380329478&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fstarship-b7-static-fire%2F&amp;sessionId=86a084085069292650be0866bba96f91b18acdd5&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1623396933380329478\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>With Starbase currently expected to have a max launch cadence of around five \u201cSuper Heavy\u201d launches a year and 39A also serving Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy within the same pad perimeter, the need for LC-49 to come online in the coming years is potentially a key factor in achieving the milestone to approve crewed missions.<\/p>\n<p>Crewed missions on the books include NASA\u2019s flagship HLS (Human Landing System) missions and commercial flights such as Polaris, \u201cDear Moon,\u201d and Dennis Tito\u2019s trip with his wife.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Live Interview with Starship Crew to Fly Around the Moon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/akRWCov_LSo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid3\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For now, getting the vehicle launched as a full-stack vehicle to an orbital velocity is the primary focus, with Booster 7\u2019s Static Fire set to go into the history books as a key milestone on the path to launching the world\u2019s largest and most powerful rocket.<\/p>\n<p>Photos from Jack (@jackbeyer), \u201cNomadd,\u201d and Nic (@NicAnsuini).<\/p>\n<p><em>(Lead image: Booster 7 fires 31 Raptor engines. Credit: Nic Ansuini for NSF)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>L2 Members gain access to full sets (large amounts) of hi-res daily photos from Mary, Jack, Nomadd, and Nic (and more). Super High-Quality metal prints are also available in our store.<\/p>\n<p>For live updates, follow NASASpaceFlight\u2019s Twitter account and the NSF Starship Forum Sections.<\/p>\n<p>**Support NSF\u2019s YouTube channel by subscribing and\/or joining here**<\/p>\n<p>Grab some cool gear along with the ability to support our content: https:\/\/shop.nasaspaceflight.com\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX\u2019s Starship program has reached a major milestone ahead of its historic launch with a static fire test of Booster 7, successfully firing 31 of the booster\u2019s 33 engines for the full planned duration. The test aimed to validate numerous systems, not least the Ground Support Equipment (GSE), which has never previously had to cater [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[8089,597,739,317,598,596],"class_list":["post-24371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-booster","tag-raptor","tag-starbase","tag-starship","tag-static-fire","tag-super-heavy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24371"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24371\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}