Ship 25 finally performed the first test of its Raptor engines. Video from Nic Ansuini (@NicAnsuini) and Starbase Live. Edited by Thomas Hayden (@_thomashayden)
Ship 25 completed a flight-like chill and spin of the Raptor engine pumps, stopping just before engine ignition. As a result of the test, cryogenic liquid oxygen formed a visible cloud beneath the ship. This checked out vital systems in advance of the upcoming static fire.
As repairs are being finished on the orbital launch mount, SpaceX reconnected the flex hoses that run to the Booster quick disconnect to prepare for testing of Booster 9. Video from @NicAnsuini and Starbase Live. Edited by @_thomashayden.📺
Musk said SpaceX has made a "late-breaking" change to Starship/Super Heavy stage separation, switching to a hot-staging approach where the ship lights its engines while a few booster engines are still firing. He estimates a ~10% increase in payload performance with this.
That will involve an extension to the booster with vents for the ship exhaust and shielding to the top of the booster, he says. He estimates both the vehicle and pad upgrades will be complete in about six weeks. [Recall in late April he expected to be ready to fly in 2 months…]
Elon says there's a much higher chance of getting to orbit with the second test flight due to vast amount of mods. Late breaking change to staging - now hot staging(!)."Never stop thrusting" - Elon Musk 😅Ship engines will fire up before all the Booster engines shutdown. Now need vents for hot staging. Adding an extension to the booster that is all vent and more shielding to the top of the booster. It's the most risking thing for the next flight.Launch pad upgrades and Booster/Ship ready in six weeks.1000 cubic meters of steel reinforcement below the OLM. Then a steel sandwich water suppression system on top, with overkill to help the base of the pad.
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1672631387201912832QuoteElon says there's a much higher chance of getting to orbit with the second test flight due to vast amount of mods. Late breaking change to staging - now hot staging(!)."Never stop thrusting" - Elon Musk 😅Ship engines will fire up before all the Booster engines shutdown. Now need vents for hot staging. Adding an extension to the booster that is all vent and more shielding to the top of the booster. It's the most risking thing for the next flight.Launch pad upgrades and Booster/Ship ready in six weeks.1000 cubic meters of steel reinforcement below the OLM. Then a steel sandwich water suppression system on top, with overkill to help the base of the pad.
Primary Date: Possible Road Closure for June 26, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am Note: This is a non-flight closure.
Alternative Date: Possible Road Closure for June 27, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am Note: This is a non-flight closure.
Alternative Date: Possible Road Closure for June 28, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am Note: This is a non-flight closure.
Ship 25 will undergo a Static Fire attempt in this test window.Will be a dedicated livestream. SBL for the meantime:nsf.live/starbase
Prop load for Ship 25 ahead of a Static Fire attempt.Live commentary:youtube.com/watch?v=iv-TSy…
T-10 mins siren for Ship 25 Static Fire!youtube.com/watch?v=iv-TSy…
STATIC FIRE! Ship 25 fires up what appears to be six Raptors for a decent duration in a key test ahead of the second Starship test flight.Good performance @elonmusk?youtube.com/watch?v=iv-TSy…
Ship 25 looks to be in great shape after the firing.
Key milestone completed for flight 2
Ship 25 completes a six-engine static fire test at Starbase in Texas
S25 breaths fire for the first time 🔥-@NASASpaceflight
STATIC FIRE! Ship 25 fires up what appears to be six Raptors for a decent duration in a key test ahead of the second Starship test flight.Good performance @elonmusk?
Looks good so far
Additional views from yesterday’s Ship 25 static fire
The lifting squid that was delivered to the LC earlier has been hoisted up ahead of attaching to the nose of S25.@LabPadre #LabCam
