SpaceX’s Latest Rocket Test Sees Four Engines Shut Down Earlier Than Expected
SpaceX means business regarding the Starship rocket, as the firm ran a dual test earlier today that fired up all of the rocket's 33 engines and tested the newly installed water deluge system at the launch pad. Today's test was the first time that the water system, which is designed to prevent damage to the launch pad, withstood the force of 33 rocket engines firing at it, and by the looks of the site post-ignition, the system worked as expected. However, SpaceX continues to face problems with the Raptor 2 engines on Starship, as four shut down during a test that lasted for seconds.
SpaceX Static Fires 33 Raptor Engines Within Days of Testing Their Pumps At Launch Site
The aftermath of SpaceX's fiery Starship test in April had led to widespread speculation about the future of the Starship program, especially due to the extensive damage to the launch pad. However, SpaceX is back with a bang after today's test as it took the plunge and briefly fired up all of Starship's 33 engines for a little over two seconds during the rocket's first static fire attempt. The test came within days after SpaceX had tested the booster's pumps at the launch pad.
A static fire test is an important milestone before a rocket's launch as it allows engineers to gather data about the performance of the rocket's engines and other systems, such as the tanks and their pressure. For SpaceX, each such run is particularly important as it allows the firm to gather more data about the Raptor engine system.
Starship's design and thrust requirements necessitate larger engines and SpaceX has built the Raptor from the ground up. The engine is quite different from the firm's Merlin engines onboard the Falcon rockets. It uses a different fuel and piping system to feed the propellants into its combustion chamber.
The test comes three and a half months after the April test, and according to SpaceX's live stream host John Insprucker, the firm tested a new startup sequence for Starship. Starship's April test saw the rocket take its time before clearing the pad. Before the test started, he explained that the test would run "just under five seconds," with different groups of engines starting up at different times.
Even though the Super Heavy booster did not fire up its engines at full thrust, the power generated by the rocket today was greater than SpaceX's largest operation rocket, the Falcon Heavy. The water deluge system turned on roughly six seconds before engine ignition, and as the fire from the Raptors met the water flowing underneath, Starship generated clouds nearly as high as the rocket itself. The complete rocket system, with the second stage Starship stacked on top, is 394 feet tall and the Super Heavy stands at 226 feet.
After the test, it appeared as if there was plenty of methane left in Starship's tank and chatter over the nets confirmed that the test lasted for 2.74 seconds. This was shorter than what Mr.
Insprucker had announced before the engine firing and SpaceX's static fire test of 31 engines for Starship booster 7, which took to the skies in April.
A static fire test does not guarantee an impending launch, especially when considering Starship's testing history. While the first fully stacked rocket was tested in April, its booster static fire occurred in February. The firm also has to test the Starship second-stage rocket. During today's test, it also seemed like four Starship engines shut down "prematurely," according to the test team. Whether this is the reason why the test was shorter than expected is unclear, but SpaceX has made important upgrades to the Raptor engine after April.
Drone view of Booster 9 static fire test pic.twitter.com/ARv6H6njgu
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 6, 2023
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