{"id":37528,"date":"2020-06-30T23:37:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T15:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starship-sn5-completes-successful-cryogenic-proof-commencing-test-campaign\/"},"modified":"2020-06-30T23:37:05","modified_gmt":"2020-06-30T15:37:05","slug":"starship-sn5-completes-successful-cryogenic-proof-commencing-test-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starship-sn5-completes-successful-cryogenic-proof-commencing-test-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Starship SN5 completes successful cryogenic proof, commencing test campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX\u2019s Starship SN5 prototype performed a successful cryogenic proof test at the launch provider\u2019s Boca Chica, Texas facility on Tuesday evening. The test marked a rapid recovery for SpaceX \u2013 managing to return to testing a month after the previous vehicle exploded on the pad.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The cryogenic proof is when the vehicle\u2019s propellant tanks are filled with liquid nitrogen and pressurized to flight pressures. Then, hydraulic pistons (otherwise known as a thrust simulator) press against the base of the vehicle to mimic the force of a Raptor engine.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship SN5 cryogenic proof test from Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mM6BGKnM91g?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 proof test ensured that Starship SN5 is structurally sound ahead of testing with liquid oxygen and methane. Unlike oxygen and methane, nitrogen is inert and will not combust if something were to go wrong.<\/p>\n<p>Tuesday\u2019s proof test with Starship SN5 was broadcasted live on the NASASpaceflight YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=nextspaceflight&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=1278265680651927554&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2020%2F06%2Fstarship-sn5-test-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=16bff72e345f0554b44a27b81367ee41cf2822d6&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=\"1278265680651927554\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783498563928480617=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Tonight&#8217;s Cryogenic Proof Test of Starship Prototype Serial Number 5 condensed into 17 seconds. @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com\/z1L05Btt3S<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) July 1, 2020<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Road closures began at 7 pm Central time and lasted until 7 am Wednesday morning \u2013 although both the room temperature and cryo testing completed hours beforehand, and the pad was reopened to mark the completion of the testing.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Super Heavy\/Starship Section<\/li>\n<li>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle <\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Starship SN5 follows in the heels of Starship SN4. SN4 became the first full-scale Starship prototype (excluding the fairing) to pass the cryogenic proof test. The prototypes before SN4 had failed under pressure at cryogenic temperatures. However, the success of SN4 during proof testing gave confidence that SN5 would pass without incident.<\/p>\n<p>The major onus on SN5 will be to perform a flight test. To date, only SpaceX\u2019s smaller-scale Starhopper prototype has managed a flight test from Boca Chica. All of SpaceX\u2019s full-scale Starship prototypes have been lost before they were able to attempt a flight.<\/p>\n<p>SN4 was destroyed shortly after performing a static fire test \u2013 where the vehicle ignited its Raptor engine for a few seconds while being held down to the launch stand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The static fire that resulted in the anomaly was meant to test the quick disconnect umbilical system. The quick disconnects are needed to detach the ground support equipment from the vehicle before a flight.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship SN4 explodes shortly after a static fire test\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7RPyDPpmDAk?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>Valves on the quick disconnect system failed to properly shut during the test, leaking large amounts of propellant, which eventually resulted in a powerful explosion.<\/p>\n<p>In total, SN4 managed five static fire tests. The vehicle\u2019s single Raptor engine performed well during all of them.<\/p>\n<p>However, the anomaly after the fifth test prevented SN4 from being able to attempt a planned 150-meter hop test. Instead, teams quickly began repairing the launch site for Starship SN5. This process took approximately four weeks.<\/p>\n<p>The relatively short recovery time was aided by the fact that a new launch stand was already under construction ahead of the SN4 anomaly.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68026\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/stand-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-68026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The new test stand in Boca Chica via BocaChicaGal for NSF<\/p>\n<p>SN5 rolled out to the launch site on June 24 for its round of testing. After the cryogenic proof test scheduled for no earlier than June 30, the thrust simulator will be removed, and a Raptor engine will be installed. Within a few days, SpaceX teams should then be ready to move into the engine testing portion of the test campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Like with previous prototypes, SpaceX will likely perform spin prime and preburner tests with the Raptor engine before attempting the first static fire of Starship SN5.<\/p>\n<p>Once the vehicle is ready for engine firings, multiple static fire tests will likely be performed with SN5\u2019s single Raptor engine. The exact number of static fires required has not been confirmed and will likely vary based on test results.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX teams will use the static fire tests to gain confidence in the vehicle ahead of deciding whether or not to proceed with a 150-meter hop test. The test will be similar to the 150-meter hop performed by Starhopper on Aug 27, 2019.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=nextspaceflight&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=1166473620312473601&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2020%2F06%2Fstarship-sn5-test-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=16bff72e345f0554b44a27b81367ee41cf2822d6&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=\"1166473620312473601\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783498563928480617=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Starhopper completed a successful hop test today. Here\u2019s photos from 1.5 miles away. @NASASpaceflight <\/p>\n<p>Please consider supporting me on Patreon <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"emoji\" alt=\"\u27a1\ufe0f\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/27a1.svg\"><img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"emoji\" alt=\"\u27a1\ufe0f\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/27a1.svg\"> https:\/\/t.co\/4SoNYe10lT pic.twitter.com\/adAhF0cmRz<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) August 27, 2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>After Starhopper\u2019s successful flight, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was hoping to hop the first Starship prototype \u2013 Mk1 \u2013 to 150 meters by the fall.<\/p>\n<p>While the gap in-flight testing has been far longer than expected, it is not to say that SpaceX has not been making rapid progress in Boca Chica. Over the past several months, numerous new structures have been constructed at the production site, work on the Super Heavy pad has begun, six full-scale Starship prototype tank sections have been constructed, and the build quality of the vehicles has improved immensely.<\/p>\n<p>Most recently, a smaller-scale test tank \u2013 known as SN7 \u2013 performed two cryogenic proof tests to failure at the launch site. The prototype reached 7.6 bar during the first test before it sprung a small leak. SpaceX teams then repaired the leak and strengthened the welds on the vehicle before making another test to failure attempt.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN7 prototype tank tested to failure\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2fCc3ZBwZUs?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>SN7 is understood to have achieved a new pressure record during the second attempt, before popping as expected. However, Musk has yet to confirm the exact pressure that the vehicle achieved.<\/p>\n<p>SN7 tested new welding techniques and a new steel alloy designated 304L. Previous Starships have been using 301 stainless steel.<\/p>\n<p>With positive results from SN7\u2019s test campaign, it is expected that future prototype builds will also make use of 304L until SpaceX eventually transitions to its own proprietary alloy.<\/p>\n<p>However, both SN5 and SN6 were constructed before SN7, and thus are still making use of the 301 stainless steel.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-68029\" class=\"size-full wp-image-68029\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2544\" height=\"1422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6.jpg 2544w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6-626x350.jpg 626w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6-1920x1073.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/sn6-1170x654.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2544px) 100vw, 2544px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-68029\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starship SN6 in the midbay via BocaChicaGal for NSF<\/p>\n<p>Starship SN6\u2019s tank section is fully constructed in the Boca Chica midbay. That vehicle will likely head to the launch site as soon as SN5 completes testing. If all goes well with SN5, SN6 may be the first Starship prototype to receive a fairing for its test campaign.<\/p>\n<p>The addition of a fairing would allow SN6 to conduct a higher altitude test flight.<\/p>\n<p>Hop tests to higher and higher altitudes are expected with the upcoming prototypes, as SpaceX news to gain experience with Starship\u2019s aero surfaces when descending through the atmosphere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX\u2019s Starship SN5 prototype performed a successful cryogenic proof test at the launch provider\u2019s Boca Chica, Texas facility on Tuesday evening. The test marked a rapid recovery for SpaceX \u2013 managing to return to testing a month after the previous vehicle exploded on the pad. The cryogenic proof is when the vehicle\u2019s propellant tanks are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27553,"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":[1648,8717,316,317],"class_list":["post-37528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-boca-chica","tag-sn5","tag-spacex","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37528"}],"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=37528"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37528\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}