{"id":25091,"date":"2021-02-02T22:24:15","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T14:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starship-sn9-loses-a-raptor-during-flip-rud-comes-as-future-starships-line-up\/"},"modified":"2021-02-02T22:24:15","modified_gmt":"2021-02-02T14:24:15","slug":"starship-sn9-loses-a-raptor-during-flip-rud-comes-as-future-starships-line-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starship-sn9-loses-a-raptor-during-flip-rud-comes-as-future-starships-line-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Starship SN9 loses a Raptor during flip. RUD comes as future Starships line up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starship SN9 is no more, following her successful flight and return, prior to losing a Raptor during the flip maneuver, resulting in a crash landing. As with SN8, SN9 got over the pad area and did not impact SN10 or any of the Ground Support Equipment at the Tank Farm. SN10 is expected to fly later this month as future vehicles all wait their turn at glory down Highway 4.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship SN9 Flight Test\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wfHqbahPKpY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>SN9:<\/p>\n<p>From a technical standpoint, Starship SN9 was ready to make her leap into the South Texas sky last week, only to be denied by paperwork.<\/p>\n<p>The requirement of FAA clearance to conduct the test scrubbed the launch into this week, leaving Starship\u2019s army of fans on social media nonplused as to why the FAA was struggling to sign the permit.<\/p>\n<p>This became the angle of media reporting, feeding off Elon\u2019s tweet of frustration after the January 28 scrub was called.<\/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: 967px; 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=1354862567680847876&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F02%2Fstarships-lining-up-launch-sn9-clearance%2F&amp;sessionId=40a7a7b0f68f98efa54f198c96e3cff380b23db7&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"1354862567680847876\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Starship SN9 Updates<\/li>\n<li>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle <\/li>\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>However, as noted in Eric Berger\u2019s informative article \u2013 which also cited an investigation into the extended evaluations \u2013 the FAA was always unlikely to be swayed by tweets and media reports.<\/p>\n<p>Also, it was already known that new administrative improvements are already in the pipeline, as noted by Jeff Foust of Space News. Such streamlining raises hope that testing in the long-term will avoid FAA-related schedule impacts.<\/p>\n<p>In preparation for an expected conclusion to the FAA\u2019s deliberations, SpaceX has filed for launch opportunities through a three day period this week.<\/p>\n<p>Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) were published for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. However, such TFR notices can be canceled at short notice, as observed during last week\u2019s scrubs.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Washington Post\u2019s Christian Davenport, the test flight was likely to be received later on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Very late in the evening on Monday, approval was gained as SpaceX set up preparations for the local area\u2019s population \u2013 including Mary (@bocachicagal) to be evacuated on Tuesday ahead of making a flight attempt in the second half of the day.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 297px; 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-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1356486716027269120&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F02%2Fstarships-lining-up-launch-sn9-clearance%2F&amp;sessionId=40a7a7b0f68f98efa54f198c96e3cff380b23db7&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"1356486716027269120\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe FAA determined late Monday (Feb.1 ) that SpaceX complies with all safety and related federal regulations and is authorized to conduct Starship SN9 flight operations in accordance with its launch license,\u201d noted the FAA in a statement to NASASpaceflight.com\u2019s Michael Baylor.<\/p>\n<p>Then came launch day, with SN9\u2019s launch to 10 kilometers that was aiming to at least match the successes of the SN8 flight, with the ultimate prize being a smooth touchdown on the landing pad.<\/p>\n<p>As always expectations had to be calibrated, with this being just the second high altitude flight of a prototype Starship, the one issue with SN8\u2019s flight \u2013 the loss of pressure in the CH4 Header Tank during the landing burn \u2013 has since been mitigated ahead of SN9\u2019s attempt.<\/p>\n<p>It was that final part of the launch that let Starship down, following a smooth ascent and return, only for one of the Raptors failing to join its compatriot in the flip maneuver, resulting in SN9 coming in sideways and hitting the ground hard.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, no damage was suffered by SN10 or the Tank Farm, which should allow SN10 to continue through preparations for launch later this month.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship SN9 10km Test Flight\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CTwBllaqcME?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>*Click here for additional SN9 pre-flight information*<\/p>\n<p>SN10:<\/p>\n<p>Some additional pressure was indeed placed on SN9\u2019s return, with SN10 watching nervously from Pad A. This was the first time two Starships had been out at the pad together and the first time a Starship had left the launch mouth with another vehicle next door.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-3\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 552px; 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-3&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1355561527479316481&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F02%2Fstarships-lining-up-launch-sn9-clearance%2F&amp;sessionId=40a7a7b0f68f98efa54f198c96e3cff380b23db7&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"1355561527479316481\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>While SpaceX will have undertaken the obvious risk analysis into launching and landing a Starship next to another Starship on the next-door launch mount, additional confidence was likely gained via SN8\u2019s test flight accuracy. This proved to be the case with SN9\u2019s hard landing.<\/p>\n<p>Despite losing thrust during the landing burn, SN8 managed to place her aft over the landing pad before hitting the concrete with too much velocity.<\/p>\n<p>SN10\u2019s rollout was expected for some days, with the High Bay processing completed once the nosecone was installed along with the associated aero surfaces. The opportunity of utilizing Friday\u2019s road closure \u2013 after SN9\u2019s flight was scrubbed \u2013 also reduced local disruption.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica: Starship SN10 Rolls Out to the Launch Pad\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6kjyYvYzPYI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid2\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Little is known per SN10\u2019s flight profile past the obvious near-mirror to the test objectives of SN8 and SN9.<\/p>\n<p>The target altitude could range from between 10 kilometers and 20 kilometers \u2013 the latter being the original target of SN8 before forecasted high altitude wind strengths refined the high point of SN8\u2019s leap.<\/p>\n<p>SN10 also has a greater number of TPS (Thermal Protection System) heatshield tiles than SN9, as SpaceX works to gain more data on their performance during launch and landing.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74189\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1462\" height=\"892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516.jpg 1462w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516-350x214.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516-574x350.jpg 574w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516-180x110.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-33-20-516-1170x714.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1462px) 100vw, 1462px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74189\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SN9 (Left) and SN10 (right) with TPS patches, as photographed by Mary (@bocachicagal) flyover.<\/p>\n<p>Orbital Starships will re-enter with a full TPS suite on the windward side, while the leeward side won\u2019t require any tiles.<\/p>\n<p>SN10 also rolled out to Pad A before Raptor installation, which will take place after prooftesting. That initial pad flow objective began on Sunday with ambient nitrogen (gaseous), before the cryogenic (liquid nitrogen) testing was set to be conducted on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Late that day, preparations for Raptor installation was taking place, as SN10 takes the opportunity provided by SN9 continuing to wait for launch.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-4\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 593px; 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-4&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1355294612324114432&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F02%2Fstarships-lining-up-launch-sn9-clearance%2F&amp;sessionId=40a7a7b0f68f98efa54f198c96e3cff380b23db7&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"1355294612324114432\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>SN11 onwards:<\/p>\n<p>Starship SN11 has also been waiting patiently for the next step in her processing flow.<\/p>\n<p>Long-since stacked in the Mid Bay, SN11 is expected to make the short trip to the High Bay in the near-term, ahead of receiving her nosecone.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74214\" class=\"wp-image-74214 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1633\" height=\"923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540.jpg 1633w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540-350x198.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540-619x350.jpg 619w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-01-31-23-27-56-540-1170x661.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1633px) 100vw, 1633px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74214\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TPS patch on SN11\u2019s nosecone section, as spotted by Mary (@bocachicagal)<\/p>\n<p>Work on the SN11 nosecone is all but complete, following stacking with its barrel section and installation of aero surfaces inside the Wind Break facility.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, SN11\u2019s nosecone also sports a TPS patch on the barrel section\u2019s upper ring, once again portraying SpaceX\u2019s staged increase in heatshield test objectives.<\/p>\n<p>SN11\u2019s current next door neighbor inside the Mid Bay is SN15. This advancement to the next evolution with the manufacture of Starship sections was confirmed when SN12\u2019s thrust section was cut apart and dismantled last week.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica - SN12 Thrust Section Scrapped - SN10 Repositioned in HIgh Bay\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rV1SoOpe63U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid3\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Sections for SN13 and SN14 were few and far between, as SpaceX opted to push forward with SN15\u2019s flow as the vehicle to follow SN11.<\/p>\n<p>Sections for SN16 and SN17 are also congregating outside the production tents, with the former set to join SN15 inside the Mid Bay in the near-term.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74185\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74185\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1448\" height=\"897\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204.jpg 1448w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204-350x217.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204-565x350.jpg 565w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204-768x476.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-21-42-204-1170x725.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1448px) 100vw, 1448px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Numerous sections outside the production tents, as observed by Mary (@bocachicagal) during a flyover.<\/p>\n<p>Super Heavy:<\/p>\n<p>Another reason SN10 rolled out, while SN9 was still waiting to launch, related to clearing space in the High Bay for what was the primary reason for constructing such a tall facility \u2013 stacking Super Heavy boosters.<\/p>\n<p>Sections of Super Heavy prototype BN1 (or B1 as some labels denote) are already stacked into the High Bay, with additional progress observed now SN10 has departed to the launch site.<\/p>\n<p>At present, the entire section of BN1 LOX tankage has now been stacked. This section will be stacked atop of the Methane tankage, given Super Heavy places the LOX tankage above the Methane tanks \u2013 opposite to Starship\u2019s arrangement.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74180\" class=\"wp-image-74180 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1291\" height=\"723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495.jpg 1291w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-05-52-58-495-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1291px) 100vw, 1291px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74180\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Super Heavy BN1\u2019s Common Dome ready for flipping, with BN1 seen inside the High Bay \u2013 Screenshot: NSF Cam.<\/p>\n<p>With sections for the second Super Heavy prototype BN2 (or B2) already seen milling around the production facility, the huge booster\u2019s progress is picking up the pace ahead of its test cycle.<\/p>\n<p>Another interesting observation was the Thrust Dome for the BN1, which \u2013 per the vent ports \u2013 appears to point to the capacity to host four Raptor engines.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica: Starship SN9 Stands Down for Flight Attempt - First Super Heavy' Thrust Dome\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oIm3zkRi2U8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid4\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>While the operational Super Heavy booster will sport 28 Raptors, the initial booster test was \u2013 at least of Elon Musk\u2019s last update \u2013 to involve two Raptors on a 150-meter hop. However, that update came well before SN8\u2019s impressive test flight, potentially pointing to the advancement of Super Heavy\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n<p>At present, Super Heavy\u2019s path is largely unknown, not least with a second Super Heavy also starting to sprout sections at the Production Site.<\/p>\n<p>As such, BN1 could be a pathfinder booster designed to test the tankage and shakeout the Ground Support Equipment (GSE). BN1 testing is expected to take place on the suborbital test stand before BN2 undertakes flight objectives.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74186\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74186\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1450\" height=\"901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164.jpg 1450w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164-350x217.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164-563x350.jpg 563w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-24-00-164-1170x727.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1450px) 100vw, 1450px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74186\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Construction at the Orbital Launch Site \u2013 via Mary (@bocachicagal) flyover.<\/p>\n<p>The eventual home of Super Heavy boosters \u2013 the Orbital Launch Site \u2013 continues to make steady process. This facility is located next door to the suborbital site hosting Starship SN9 and SN10 \u2013 along with the recently tested SN7.2 Test Tank and the immortal Starhopper.<\/p>\n<p>Raptors:<\/p>\n<p>A key supply chain for Starship and Super Heavy testing is the Raptor engine.<\/p>\n<p>A steady flow of new engines are making the journey from their production inside SpaceX\u2019s HQ base in Hawthorne, California, before being tested on the three test stands at SpaceX McGregor in Texas.<\/p>\n<p>McGregor\u2019s repurposed Tripod Stand, formerly used for testing Falcon 9 boosters, provides vertical test firing opportunities, while the horizontal test stand hosts two bays for Raptor testing.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, new construction points to the potential SpaceX is looking to increase the amount of Raptor test bays at the facility.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74184\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1425\" height=\"879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547.jpg 1425w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547-350x216.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547-567x350.jpg 567w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547-180x110.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NSF-2021-02-01-06-08-48-547-1170x722.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-74184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two Raptors on the Test Stand. Next door construction in the insert \u2013 via Gary Blair for NSF\/L2<\/p>\n<p>As observed on NSF member Gary Blair\u2019s latest aerial commute past the facility (L2 McGregor), Raptor testing is deep into the SN50 range.<\/p>\n<p>Engines that have been removed from Starships during testing also head back to McGregor for repairs\/retesting. It is currently unknown how many flight-ready engines are on SpaceX\u2019s books.<\/p>\n<p>Photos via Mary (@bocachicagal)&nbsp; \u2013 Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) and Gary Blair.<\/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:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/shop\/<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"EkXAwpOPvx\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>Tale of Two Starships \u2013 Close Up<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"\u201cTale of Two Starships \u2013 Close Up\u201d \u2014 NASASpaceFlight.com\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/product\/tale-of-two-starships-close-up\/embed\/#?secret=EkXAwpOPvx\" data-secret=\"EkXAwpOPvx\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Latest video:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica: Starship SN10's First Raptor Arrives - Super Heavy Common Dome Flipped\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IKTWIDI9ZdA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid5\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starship SN9 is no more, following her successful flight and return, prior to losing a Raptor during the flip maneuver, resulting in a crash landing. As with SN8, SN9 got over the pad area and did not impact SN10 or any of the Ground Support Equipment at the Tank Farm. SN10 is expected to fly [&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":[1648,597,8708,8702,8718,316,596],"class_list":["post-25091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-boca-chica","tag-raptor","tag-sn10","tag-sn11","tag-sn9","tag-spacex","tag-super-heavy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25091"}],"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=25091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25091\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}