Starships SN9 and SN10 at SpaceX’s South Texas launch site, as seen from the air. This was the first time two Starships had been out at the pad together and the first time a Starship had left the launch mouth with another vehicle next door. Some additional pressure was indeed placed on SN9’s return, with SN10 watching nervously from Pad A. * Click here for additional SN9 pre-flight information* Thankfully, no damage was suffered by SN10 or the Tank Farm, which should allow SN10 to continue through preparations for launch later this month. It was that final part of the launch that let Starship down, following a smooth ascent and return, only for one of the Raptors failing to join its compatriot in the flip maneuver, resulting in SN9 coming in sideways and hitting the ground hard. Then came launch day, with SN9’s launch to 10 kilometers that was aiming to at least match the successes of the SN8 flight, with the ultimate prize being a smooth touchdown on the landing pad.Īs always expectations had to be calibrated, with this being just the second high altitude flight of a prototype Starship, the one issue with SN8’s flight – the loss of pressure in the CH4 Header Tank during the landing burn – has since been mitigated ahead of SN9’s attempt. “The FAA determined late Monday (Feb.1 ) that SpaceX complies with all safety and related federal regulations and is authorized to conduct Starship SN9 flight operations in accordance with its launch license,” noted the FAA in a statement to ’s Michael Baylor. Very late in the evening on Monday, approval was gained as SpaceX set up preparations for the local area’s population – including Mary to be evacuated on Tuesday ahead of making a flight attempt in the second half of the day.īoca Chica Village residents have been asked to evacuate for a possible Starship SN9 flight attempt on Tuesday February 2nd. However, such TFR notices can be canceled at short notice, as observed during last week’s scrubs.Īccording to the Washington Post’s Christian Davenport, the test flight was likely to be received later on Monday. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) were published for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. In preparation for an expected conclusion to the FAA’s deliberations, SpaceX has filed for launch opportunities through a three day period this week. Such streamlining raises hope that testing in the long-term will avoid FAA-related schedule impacts. However, as noted in Eric Berger’s informative article – which also cited an investigation into the extended evaluations – the FAA was always unlikely to be swayed by tweets and media reports.Īlso, it was already known that new administrative improvements are already in the pipeline, as noted by Jeff Foust of Space News. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars. Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure. This became the angle of media reporting, feeding off Elon’s tweet of frustration after the January 28 scrub was called. The requirement of FAA clearance to conduct the test scrubbed the launch into this week, leaving Starship’s army of fans on social media nonplused as to why the FAA was struggling to sign the permit. SN10 is expected to fly later this month as future vehicles all wait their turn at glory down Highway 4.įrom a technical standpoint, Starship SN9 was ready to make her leap into the South Texas sky last week, only to be denied by paperwork. As with SN8, SN9 got over the pad area and did not impact SN10 or any of the Ground Support Equipment at the Tank Farm. Starship SN9 is no more, following her successful flight and return, prior to losing a Raptor during the flip maneuver, resulting in a crash landing.
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