The private company conducted Monday, November 14 the test of a prototype of its future Starship rocket.
On Nov. 14, 2022, residents of Boca Chica Village, Texas were asked to stay away from their windows. This Monday, SpaceX conducted a static test of a prototype of the SuperHeavy, the first stage of its future Starship heavy rocket. Fourteen Raptor engines out of the thirty-three that will make up the booster were ignited, releasing huge plumes and causing multiple projections. According to SpaceX boss Elon Musk, “the test went well”, and the infrastructure does not appear to have suffered significant damage.
First flight test announced for December 2022
Ground crews are now installing additional protection on the launch pad for a full test of the thirty-three engines. If the latter goes well, the prototype of the second stage Starship should be reassembled on the booster for a first flight, currently scheduled for December 2022.
The Starship rocket, SpaceX’s main priority according to its boss, is designed to carry a payload of one hundred tons into low orbit. She was selected by NASA to play the role of lunar lander as part of the Artemis program.
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