Starship SN11 will re-attempt a Static Fire test Thursday \u2013 following a scrub on Monday \u2013 ahead of a potential flight as early as the weekend or the start of next week. Forever subject to change due to numerous considerations \u2013 ranging from weather, hardware parameters, and paperwork approval \u2013 SN11 will mark the final test of this iteration of Starship before the program moves into the next phase of testing.<\/p>\n
Following SN11\u2019s flight, SpaceX will move on to SN15, 16, and 17, alongside testing with Super Heavy prototypes BN1 and BN2, before shooting for an orbital launch with SN20 and BN3. In typical SpaceX-style, that orbital launch has an astonishing \u2013 and unlikely \u2013 \u201cby July 1\u201d target. At the very least, this target portrays SpaceX\u2019s Starship drive to push the vehicle into operation.
\nSN11:<\/p>\n
This will be the fourth high altitude test flight of the prototype Starship, and while efforts continue to focus on refining the landing element of the flight profile, the vehicle has already achieved numerous milestones, including proving long-duration Raptor performance and controllability during ascent and the stable \u201cbellyflop\u201d return under the control of its aero surfaces \u2013 a huge test flight objective.<\/p>\n
SpaceX Boca Chica, meanwhile, has pumped out Starships with such high cadence as to allow for fast turnarounds after each launch, implementing tweaks to the vehicle ahead of the next flight.<\/p>\n
SN8 achieved the flip maneuver before losing thrust due to the Methane (CH4) Header Tank losing pressure during the landing burn, SN9 did not complete the flip due to engine relight issues, and SN10 completed all the maneuvers before landing hard \u2013 eventually resulting in the vehicle exploding several minutes after touchdown.<\/p>\n
The mitigation path for these issues focuses on those final few seconds of flight.<\/p>\n
Post SN8, SpaceX opted to add helium pressurization to SN9\u2019s CH4 Header Tank. After SN9\u2019s engine relight issue, SpaceX opted to light all three engines during SN10\u2019s flip and burn before deselecting the engine \u201cwith the least lever arm\u201d in the event all three successfully relit.<\/p>\n