Starship SN9 is currently tracking an early New Years\u2019 launch, providing the upcoming test series clears the path for what will be a similar flight to SN8, albeit aiming for a \u201csofter\u201d landing.<\/p>\n
With the vehicle on the launch mount, the first test will involve cryoproofing as early this week, ahead of a three engine Static Fire test. Should the trio of Raptors \u2013 and their silver ringed host \u2013 perform as expected, a 12.5 KM test flight could come as soon as the first or second week of January.\n<\/p>\n
Starship SN9 has been undergoing integration ops on the launch mount over the Christmas holiday, setting the stage for what will be a streamlined pre-launch test series when compared to that undertaken by SN8.<\/p>\n
The first test involved filling the vehicle with nitrogen, usually in a two-step fashion. Initially, the vehicle will be filled with gaseous nitrogen \u2013 called the ambient test, ahead of being loaded with super-cold liquid nitrogen (LN2) for the cryo test.<\/p>\n
This test sequence is expected early in the week, with preparations for testing already ongoing on Monday morning. By Monday evening, the ambient test had completed. However, the cryotesting element was still outstanding by the time the test window ended, pushing that event into Tuesday\u2019s opportunity.<\/p>\n
Providing all goes to plan with the proofing test, SN9 will be prepared for what is currently expected to be one Static Fire test involving all three Raptors. This is an expedited test schedule compared to SN8, which underwent several Static Fire tests ahead of launch.<\/p>\n
Two of SN9\u2019s Raptors were installed on the vehicle inside the High Bay. Once the vehicle had made it to the pad, a third engine \u2013 SN49 \u2013 was installed, completing the trio.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n