{"id":37327,"date":"2020-11-01T20:38:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-01T12:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/as-starships-line-up-musk-calibrates-expectations-for-sn8-test\/"},"modified":"2020-11-01T20:38:28","modified_gmt":"2020-11-01T12:38:28","slug":"as-starships-line-up-musk-calibrates-expectations-for-sn8-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/as-starships-line-up-musk-calibrates-expectations-for-sn8-test\/","title":{"rendered":"As Starships line up, Musk calibrates expectations for SN8 test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starship SN8 is expected to complete the second run of Static Fire tests over the coming week ahead of test flight later this month. While SN8 will be aiming for a touchdown on the launch pad, Elon Musk provided clarity on the primary goals of SN8\u2019s flight \u2013 with a stable, controlled descent via its aero surfaces a major objective.<\/p>\n<p>Starship SN8 is currently waiting for the second set of testing, which will involve cryogenic proof testing of the nosecone\u2019s LOX header tank, followed by ever-evolving Static Fire tests with one, then two engines \u2013 both via the Header Tank system.<\/p>\n<p>A full, three-engine, Static Fire will then be conducted, mirroring the first-ever triple Raptor test, although this time with one of the engines swapped out. Raptor SN36 has taken the place of the since-removed SN39, likely requiring a second full Static Fire.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica - SN8 First Ever 3 Raptor Static Fire\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Br1xFIbf5y4?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>The Header Tank tests are related to the landing burn, with the propellant supplied via these small tanks, of which the LOX tank is located at the tip of the since-installed nosecone.<\/p>\n<p>However, to get to that point \u2013 where SN8 will initiate a Raptor relight, pushing the aft to face the ground before a smooth touchdown on the landing legs \u2013 will require many things to go right during the flight.<\/p>\n<p>Lifting off under the power of the three Raptors, SN8 will be aiming for an altitude of 50,000 feet. Then, for the first time during Starship testing, the aero surfaces will come into play, as SN8 glides\/descends \u2013 or, as many like to word it, bellyflops back toward terra firma.<\/p>\n<p>This phase of the test will be a major data point for SpaceX, allowing them to recreate what they\u2019ve already evaluated in a wind tunnel in the more challenging regime of real life.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; 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=1322659546641371136&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2020%2F11%2Fstarships-line-up-musk-expectations-sn8-test%2F&amp;sessionId=1e686e31e933a78b903618625b7c6d2b99f094d6&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=\"1322659546641371136\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783497974847611847=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Stable, controlled descent with body flaps would be great. Transferring propellant feed from main to header tanks &amp; relight would be a major win.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2020<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Rocket building kits<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>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 Technology<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>The \u201cbig win\u201d of engine relight will involve using the Header Tank system\u2019s ability to supply the Raptors.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the Static Fire test plan, it is likely the single, and then dual-engine, tests\u2019 aim to provide ground testing for what is expected to be a single Raptor ignition during the flip, followed by a two engine landing burn.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Starship Prototypes Updates<\/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>Any subsequent \u201cwobbly landing\u201d would be something that could be refined via the data gathered during SN8\u2019s attempt.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnderstanding exactly how the body flaps control pitch, yaw &amp; roll during descent, such that the ship is positioned well to relight, flip &amp; land, would be a big win,\u201d added Elon in subsequent Twitter replies.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, Elon also provided the hopefully-unlikely scenario of SN8 failing as she leaves the pad. Although the most likely failure point is expected to be during the attempt to return to the landing pad, the ability to drop SN8 into the sea \u2013 should the return trip not go to plan \u2013 is also available.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough, if it fails right at the end, some landing pad repair will be needed to fill in the crater,\u201d Elon added.<\/p>\n<p>Should SN8 fail to make it back in one piece, Elon also cited the production cadence of SpaceX Boca Chica, which is self-evident via Mary\u2019s (@bocachicagal)\u2018s daily videos.<\/p>\n<p>While SN8 is tested at the Launch Site, the Production Facility saw SN9 moved to the High Bay for aero surface installation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN9 heads to High Bay, receiving aero surfaces\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/neBiwkJ4Rao?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>While the 150 meters Hop-Twins SN5 and SN6 had taken up temporary residence inside the High Bay during recent stormy weather, this is the first time a future Starship had entered the new facility for pre-flight processing.<\/p>\n<p>The High Bay\u2019s primary role \u2013 once its gantry crane is installed \u2013 will enable stacking operations for the tall Super Heavy booster.<\/p>\n<p>The move of SN9 into the High Bay provided relief to the Mid Bay, which \u2013 once SN10 is fully stacked \u2013 will allow SN11 to begin stacking operations.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN8 standing tall ahead of next test phase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HZZptjjnRIM?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>This production cadence emphasizes SpaceX\u2019s ability to rapidly return from any potential test flight failure with a new vehicle ready to take a trip to the launch site within days of losing the previous vehicle. Or, in the event of successes, the ability to tag-team prototype vehicles on numerous test flights to gain additional data.<\/p>\n<p>Refinements are already taking place, with \u201cminor\u201d \u2013 as Elon stated on Twitter \u2013 changes already implemented on SN9. It is known that SN9 will be the first prototype Starship to sport structure made entirely from 304L steel, whereas SN8 still has some parts made from the 301 alloy.<\/p>\n<p>Although Super Heavy sections remain staged outside one of the Production Facility tents, the collection of vehicle-specific Starship sections is impressive.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 250px; height: 395px; 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=1322672288844558336&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2020%2F11%2Fstarships-line-up-musk-expectations-sn8-test%2F&amp;sessionId=1e686e31e933a78b903618625b7c6d2b99f094d6&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=\"1322672288844558336\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Fully identified parts for vehicles up to SN12 are on site, with specific hardware \u2013 observed via Mary via labels \u2013 up to SN14, such as a downcomer that arrived several weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p>One element of Starship hardware that has seen a reduction of late has been the nosecones, with several test articles scrapped over recent days, allowing for the focus to be placed on the flight nosecones that will be mated with upcoming Starships.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71190\" class=\"wp-image-71190 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1449\" height=\"957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774.jpg 1449w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-350x231.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-530x350.jpg 530w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-1170x773.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-780x516.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/NSF-2020-11-02-03-19-22-774-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1449px) 100vw, 1449px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-71190\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The HLS nosecone in view \u2013 via Mary (@bocachicagal)<\/p>\n<p>However, one spare nosecone has been repurposed, albeit with a lick of white paint and likely internal work yet to take place.<\/p>\n<p>This nosecone will be used as a mock-up for Starship\u2019s Human Landing System (HLS) bid.<\/p>\n<p>Most photos via Mary (@bocachicagal)<\/p>\n<p>**Support NSF\u2019s youtube channel by subscribing and\/or joining here**<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"KXGijARU33\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>SN8 \u2013 A New Day<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"\u201cSN8 \u2013 A New Day\u201d \u2014 NASASpaceFlight.com\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/product\/sn8-a-new-day\/embed\/#?secret=KXGijARU33\" data-secret=\"KXGijARU33\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Cool gear and the ability to support our content: https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/shop\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starship SN8 is expected to complete the second run of Static Fire tests over the coming week ahead of test flight later this month. While SN8 will be aiming for a touchdown on the launch pad, Elon Musk provided clarity on the primary goals of SN8\u2019s flight \u2013 with a stable, controlled descent via its [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37328,"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":[1648,8708,8702,8728,8844,8718,316,317],"class_list":["post-37327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-boca-chica","tag-sn10","tag-sn11","tag-sn12","tag-sn8","tag-sn9","tag-spacex","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37327"}],"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=37327"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37327\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}