After Starship SN8 e Starship SN9 (for the versions with aerodynamic surfaces) in the evening today, Italian time (then lasted until the night due to the two attempts), also touched on SpaceX Starship SN10 try the “jump” (hop) a 10 km of share. The test profile was the same as previously used considering that still the company Elon Musk is optimizing several parameters to be able to complete all the phases of this particular type of “flight”.
It must be remembered that the first test for SN8 fails due to a drop in pressure in the header tank (head tanks) then corrected with SN9 thanks to the use of helium to counterbalance the pressure. In the last test, however, the misfire of an engine in the final stages of landing led to the RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) of the prototype. As already repeated in the past, even if the ultimate goal is to complete the landing, the problems are contemplated and should not be seen as a real failure. But this time it was up to SpaceX Starship SN10!
SpaceX Starship SN10 and its “jump” for altitude testing
Also for SpaceX Starship SN10 there were three Raptor engines in the lower area that pushed the spacecraft up to (about) 10 km of altitude, gradually turning off as it approached the programmed maximum altitude point. Subsequently there was once again the well-known maneuver of the “belly flop” which allows you to simulate what would happen in the case of Starship was approaching and encountered the atmosphere (terrestrial or Mars, for example). Just before launch, a problem to a valve in the tanks on the ground, which remained open, not allowing the correct cooling of the oxygen, it blocked the loading of the propellants, then resumed around 20.35 (Italian time).
Subsequently, shortly after 21.00 (Italian time) there was the first attempt of the evening for the “jump” of SN10 which ended with an instant block when there was less than a second to detach from the platform that lifts the prototype from the ground. As specified by Elon Musk in un tweet, the motivation was too conservative limits regarding the maximum thrust of the engines that activated the safety systems blocking the test.
As there was no real cause to postpone this test, it was decided to try again about 2 and a half hours later by modifying the limits previously set to less conservative values. During the wait, the official video on YouTube was also set to private and then reactivated at the appropriate time. The second loading of the propellants (liquid methane and oxygen) began around 11.30 pm to allow the new attempt toSpaceX Starship SN10 remaining within the time window granted by the authorizations for this day. Around midnight, the engines cooled down and the final stages of preparation for take-off were entered in the second test of the day in Boca Chica.
At 0.15 am on March 4th (Italian time), SpaceX Starship SN10 he lifted himself correctly from his platform to accomplish the long-awaited “hop”. After two minutes and 30 seconds there were two Raptor engines still active that maintained the attitude of the spacecraft, while at three minutes and 16 seconds there was only one active Raptor left.
At about four minutes and 30 seconds there was the “belly flop” and the descent towards the ground, which ended 10 km below after more than six minutes from the start. Thanks to a higher thrust than the previous two attempts (thanks to the ignition of the three Raptors) the landing of SpaceX Starship SN10. We are still a long way from seeing the definitive model, but this is certainly a significant step forward!
[AGGIORNAMENTO]
Immediately after the official streaming of SpaceX, the prototype of Starship SN10 exploded on the landing pad and fell apart. Despite everything, the progress made with respect to the previous tests (SN8 and SN9) remain valid and the idea that these are still decidedly prototypes remains valid. “rough” and spendable with few losses in monetary terms. Surely the data collected today will be essential for the next tests, further improving landing and aiming to preserve Starship intact.
I told you it would never fly again….. pic.twitter.com/y67ffR8Cvo
Scott Manley (@DJSnM) March 3, 2021
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