SpaceX recently conducted a successful test-fire of the 33 Raptor engines on the Starship rocket’s Super Heavy booster at its Starbase facility in South Texas. The test lasted about eight seconds, during which the engines generated an impressive nearly 17 million pounds of thrust. This marks a significant milestone for SpaceX as they prepare for the next test flight of the Starship vehicle next month.
Following the recent test, SpaceX confirmed that all systems functioned normally during the static fire test. The company’s engineers then proceeded to drain the methane and liquid oxygen from the rocket, known as Booster 12 in their inventory. This successful test comes on the heels of the completion of the static fire test of Ship 30, the upper stage for the next Starship test flight, in May.
SpaceX has been making significant progress with its Starship program, as demonstrated by the successful controlled splashdown of the Super Heavy booster during the fourth Starship flight on June 6. The booster landed in the Gulf of Mexico as planned, marking the first time SpaceX was able to guide the booster back to its targeted splashdown location. This achievement has given SpaceX officials the confidence to attempt to recover the booster on the next flight at Starbase using giant articulating arms known as “chopsticks.”
In addition to recovering the booster, SpaceX will also be testing an upgraded heat shield on Ship 30 during the fifth Starship test flight. The technicians at the facility are currently replacing thousands of ceramic tiles on the outer skin of the ship to prepare for the upcoming launch. Once the necessary work is complete, SpaceX plans to stack the ship on top of the booster and conduct a full countdown rehearsal before the launch attempt, which is expected to take place in August.
Furthermore, SpaceX is expanding its facilities at Starbase, with the construction of a second launch pad underway. The new launch pad will support the growing Starship flight rate and accommodate missions launching Starlink internet satellites, conducting in-orbit refueling tests, and supporting NASA’s Artemis lunar program. SpaceX aims to have two active launch pads in Texas and two Starship launch sites in Florida within the next couple of years to meet the increasing demand for Starship missions.
Overall, SpaceX’s recent achievements and upcoming plans demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing space exploration and revolutionizing the way we access space. With innovative technology and bold ideas, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in space travel.
