SN10 and its predecessor SN9 on the launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, in early February.
SpaceX
Just a few weeks after its predecessor SN9 flew high and made an emergency landing on the Gulf Coast of Texas, SN10 will try to improve that performance, and it could happen as early as Monday.
SN10 and SN9 are the latest versions of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s Starship prototypes that the company developed in plain sight at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Musk has promised that the next generation missile will be able to revolutionize point-to-point travel around the world, as well as to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
In recent years, Starship’s prototypes have evolved from making short “hops” at low altitudes to high-altitude flight demonstrations. The past two serial numbers, SN8 and SN9, have both flown to heights comparable to where commercial jets cruise, but then came in for explosive hard landings.
Musk had warned prior to testing that he expected such “rapid unplanned disassembly” events to be part of the development process.
SpaceX SN8 flew high and landed hard.
SpaceX CNET video recording by Jackson Ryan
Following SN8’s flight and emergency landing in December, SN9’s onward flight in January suffered a series of delays. It was revealed that SN8 had been launched without all of the required Federal Aviation Administration approvals, and a staring competition of sorts ensued when the FAA subsequently took time to issue the launch license for SN9.
Ultimately, the FAA was satisfied with the safety precautions for the test flight, and the SN9 finally flew on Feb. 2. After its fiery return to Earth that afternoon, the FAA announced it would investigate the “accident” with the landing.
On Feb. 19, an FAA spokesperson said via email that the agency has closed the landing accident investigation, “paving the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval for license updates.”
The SN9 vehicle failed within the limits of FAA safety analysis. The failed landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property. All debris was within the designated danger area. The FAA approved the final accident report, including the probable causes and corrective actions. “
From Monday morning Christian Davenport of the Washington Post reported that the FAA launch permit has been granted, paving the way for SN10 to launch after a static test fire.
That test took place on Tuesday and SpaceX was not completely satisfied with the results. One of the SN10’s Raptor engines was swapped out and another test fire ended on Thursday. A launch for Friday has been ruled out and the next option is now Monday March 1, with backup windows on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Check back here for updates and a livestream once SN10 is ready to fly.
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