The three engines of Starship SN9 , the most recent version of the SpaceX spacecraft prototype, were turned on for about a second during the static-fire test which took place last January 6th 2021 at the SpaceX facilities in Texas (near Boca Chica ). The so-called static fires are routine preliminary tests before the first real flight attempts, so it is very likely that a “test flight” very similar to the memorable one that took place last month with SN8 will follow shortly.

Occurred on 9 December, the Starship SN8 flight test was performed using three new generation Raptor engines, just like those installed on the SN9. On that occasion, SpaceX performed the first high-altitude test for the spacecraft, rising about 12 , 5 kilometers in the skies of Texas using the propulsion of the three engines installed. SpaceX had previously tested its Starship prototypes with a single engine reaching an altitude of approximately 150 meters.

The SN8 test was quite explosive, but a success: although its landing was disastrous, causing a scenographic explosion and the destruction of the vehicle, all the other objectives were met in full going beyond SpaceX and Elon Musk’s wildest expectations. Starship will be used to transfer cargoes and people to the Moon, Mars and other distant destinations, as well as meet many other SpaceX spaceflight needs in the near future.

The system currently has two elements: the spacecraft high 50 meters, called its Starship , and a huge first stage booster known as Super Heavy . Both elements will be reusable in full and quickly according to Musk’s predictions: Super Heavy should gently return to Earth after each mission with a vertical maneuver as already happens with the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. According to Elon Musk, however, the final maneuver of Super Heavy will be much more precise , and the company aims to ensure that it takes place on the same launch platform to minimize the reuse times of the rocket.

Starship will instead be able to perform several flights between Earth and Mars: it will need approximately 30 Super Heavy rockets to leave our planet, while only 6 thrusters will be needed to the return from the Moon or Mars. The latest static fire was recorded live from the Spadre.com website, and will probably be followed by further tests before the actual flight test.

In the case of SN8 they are 4 engine ignition tests were conducted over the course of over a month before the final flight test at high altitude, so better stay tuned to not miss the next SpaceX show .