SpaceX's Starship fires three raptor engines of SN9 prototype for historic future launch

X's Starship conducted a static-fire test of SN9 prototype for first time on January 6 from X's South Texas facilities, near Gulf Coast. Elon Musk-owned ncy carried out routine preflight check. Three engines of craft lit up and remained on ground in a test flight for future missions. 

X’s next-generation super heavy-lift reusable launch craft’s engines went off one by one producing 71.2 MN of thrust during ascent as loads and acceleration on vehicle were decreased according to a Starship’s release. SN9 prototype was installed in place of X’s serial number 8 or SN8, first high-altitude Starship prototype, which firm scrapped beginning this month after SN8 prototype shattered concrete pad, and exploded into a belly-down orientation. X is prepping vehicle for an epic test flight.

NASA’s flight manr Chris B shared foot of Static Fire test. He said that “Starship SN6 has its mass simulator removed, potentially preparing it to be used as NASA Human Landing System mockup. Meanwhile, SN9 continues toward launch preparations”. In its routine initial check, Starship’s vehicle remained at anchor, aiming for 7.8 miles (12.5 kilometers) lift off over sourn Texas skies.

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SN8 was unable to maintain 'fuel pressure' 

Raptor engines attained maximum height of about 500 feet or 150 meters, and SN9 prototype did t explode like SN8 that flipped due to cold gas thrusters during vertical landing. According to SPadre, X’s launch documenting site, Musk declared landing failure for SN8 as X expected a high-altitude debut, with Musk himself estimating that odds of success for SN8 was just about 33 percent. In an interview with Art Technica, X COO and President Gwynne Shotwell said that  SN8’s launch debut “de-risked [ Starship] program pretty massively,” and Starship SN8’s methane header tank was unable to maintain fuel flow (pressure). However, X's Starship SN9 with an altitude of about 500 toes, or 150 meters and smooth touch down, was one step closer to its flight. 

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