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Technology

SpaceX posts a clearer look at the Starship SN10 test flight

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From the time Starship SN10 took off until a few minutes after it landed, things went mostly as planned. Now SpaceX has posted a recap video for the most recent high-altitude test flight, which includes video from the vehicle itself, as well as close-up detailed looks at the rocket engines as it came in for a landing. You can clearly see the landing legs extend as it comes down, and when SN10 bounces amid a cloud of smoke on landing.

What you won’t see is a peek at the crushed legs on impact, or the spectacular explosion that followed, similar to the video recap it posted after the SN8 flight test. Elon Musk detailed some of the “multiple” fixes SpaceX planned for its next flight, and tweeted tonight that SN11 is “almost ready to fly.”

But this video is about the successes of the flight test. As the description on YouTube indicates, “it successfully ascended, transitioned propellant, and reoriented itself for reentry and an active aerodynamic controlled descent. SN10’s Raptor engines reignited to perform the vehicle’s landing flip maneuver immediately before successfully touching down on the landing pad.”



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Technology

Elon Musk explains why Starship SN10 exploded as SpaceX preps for SN11 launch

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Last week, private rocket company SpaceX got as close as it’s ever been to successfully carrying out a soft-landing of a reusable heavy lift rocket it hopes to one day send to the moon and Mars. 

The Starship SN10 launched from the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas last Wednesday, ascending to an altitude of more than 32,000 feet before making its way back to Earth in a controlled descent. 

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When the spacecraft touched down on its landing pad without perishing in a fireball like its two predecessors, it seemed that SpaceX nailed one of the most challenging processes in making a reusable, cost-effective rocket. 

Minutes later, the stainless steel rocket ship was destroyed in a fiery explosion. 

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday explained the rocket touched down at too high a speed. 

“SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m/s [22 miles per hour] crushed legs & part of skirt,” he tweeted. 

A closer look at the landing of SN10 shows it was slightly leaning to one side before exploding. 

Musk went on to explain that the helium ingestion was probably the result of a pressurization system that had been added to the methane header tank to fix a problem that occurred in a previous starship prototype, SN8. 

“If autogenous pressurization had been used, CH4 bubbles would most likely have reverted to liquid,” he said. “Helium in header was used to prevent ullage collapse from slosh, which happened in prior flight. My fault for approving. Sounded good at the time.”

The test, however, was still hailed as a success as SN10 landed and remained in one piece significantly longer than two earlier prototypes that exploded on impact. 

Wasting little time, another Starship prototype dubbed SN11 was rolled out onto the launchpad this week. 

SpaceX has yet to say exactly when the next flight test will take place, but NASASpaceFlight.com projected the rocket could be ready to go as soon as next week. 

Before SN11 was placed on the launch mount, SpaceX employees were seen testing the spacecraft’s legs. 

“Multiple fixes in work for SN11,” Musk tweeted. 

Musk has said this week that Starship will be ready to launch humans into orbit and beyond by 2023. 

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Science

Elon Musk reveals why the SN10 Starship exploded

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For a short while after SpaceX’s SN10 Starship touched down, it seemed like the prototype made it out of its test flight unscathed. The vehicle exploded on its landing pad around a minute later, though, creating a massive inferno like its predecessors did. Now, Elon Musk has revealed what went wrong in responses sent to followers on Twitter. The SpaceX chief said the SN10 engine was low on thrust probably due to “partial helium ingestion from [the] fuel header tank” and that the impact crushed the rocket’s legs and part of its skirt. SpaceX is now working on multiple fixes for the issue so that it doesn’t affect SN10’s successor, the SN11, anymore.

Chris Bergin of NASA Spaceflight tweeted that the issue is a “tricky one,” seeing as the helium ingestion was caused by the pressurization system added to the CH4 tank to prevent what caused SN8 Starship’s explosion. Musk said that’s a “fair point,” and he approved the change because it sounded good at the time.

SpaceX’s Starship is a heavy-lift launch vehicle that’s being developed to carry cargo and human passengers to Earth’s orbit and beyond. SN10’s explosion won’t be slowing down the company’s testing efforts — in fact, it recently rolled out the SN11 prototype to its Boca Chica facility to start preparing for its fourth high-altitude test launch.



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Elon Musk reveals why SpaceX Starship SN10 exploded after landing

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SN10’s touchdown was more crunchy than soft.


SpaceX

On March 3, SpaceX finally appeared to make a soft landing of the latest prototype for its next-generation Mars rocket. But several minutes later, SN10, as the third prototype to make a high-altitude test flight was known, made an unscheduled second flight after it exploded on the landing pad.

Elon Musk explained on Tuesday that the landing was actually a bit more crunchy than soft.

“Impact of 10 m/s (22 miles per hour) crushed legs & part of skirt,” the SpaceX founder tweeted.

A close look at the landing of SN10 reveals it came in a little hot and fast. It even appeared to bounce slightly upon touching down.

On the live webcast of the mission, there’s a long silent pause (almost a full minute) from SpaceX commentator John Insprucker after landing as SN10 sat on the pad, slightly leaning to one side and a little bit on fire, apparently uncertain if it would like to tip over and take a long permanent nap.

But SN10 didn’t tip and Insprucker eventually declared a successful soft landing.

However, the consequence of the crushed landing legs and skirt seems to have been some of SN10’s fuel ending up where it shouldn’t have been a few minutes later, causing it to explode just like its two prototype predecessors did.

SN8 and SN9 both came in for very hard landings. SN10 almost nailed it, but Musk said that a fuel issue led to low thrust on the landing burn and that leg-crunching touchdown.

“Multiple fixes in work for SN11,” Musk tweeted.

Meanwhile, SN11 has already made an appearance on the pad at the SpaceX Starship development center in Boca Chica, Texas,  where it will soon begin testing prior to its own flight and landing attempt. 

Here’s hoping SN11 is the first of its brethren to survive the experience in one piece.

Follow CNET’s 2021 Space Calendar to stay up to date with all the latest space news this year. You can even add it to your own Google Calendar.  



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Science

SpaceX Starship SN10 launch: How to watch rocket prototype fly today

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Starship SN9 in flight.


SpaceX

The SpaceX Starship rocket prototype, SN10, ignited its engines for a split second on Wednesday afternoon, but an issue with the launch procedure triggered an automatic abort. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, said the rocket had a “slightly conservative high thrust limit” but the team would recycle propellant and try again. The company is now planning to try again at around 2:30 p.m. PT and if you want to watch live, we’ve got you covered.

These prototype tests have been coming extremely quickly for SpaceX’s Starship program. Only weeks after its predecessor SN9 flew high and then crash-landed on Texas’ Gulf Coast, SN10 will attempt to improve on that performance. Continue to check back here as we’ll embed the livesteam for the next attempt. Alternatively, you can keep one eye on the SpaceX website, which begins a stream about five minutes prior to flight. 

SN10 and SN9 are the latest iterations of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s Starship prototypes that the company has been developing in full view at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas (or Starbase, as it might be known soon). Musk has promised that the next-generation rocket will be capable of revolutionary point-to-point travel around the globe, as well as sending civilians to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Over the past few years, Starship prototypes have progressed from making short, low-altitude “hops” to high-altitude flight demonstrations. The past two serial numbers, SN8 and SN9, have both flown to altitudes comparable to where commercial jets cruise, but then came in for explosive hard landings.

Musk had warned in advance of the tests that he expected such “rapid unscheduled disassembly” events to be part of the development process.

https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/xuERbqdkWX9WUf5_jYcwsA8j8Bw=/1092x0/filters:gifv()/2020/12/09/65f3a32f-cf78-429f-b76e-1b9fad081ad9/bang.gif

SpaceX SN8 flew high and landed hard.


SpaceX CNET video capture by Jackson Ryan

Following the flight and crash landing of SN8 in December, the follow-up flight of SN9 suffered a series of delays throughout January. It was revealed that SN8 had been launched without all required approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration, and a kind of staring contest developed as the FAA then took its time to grant the launch license for SN9.

In the end, the FAA was satisfied with the safety precautions for the test flight and SN9 finally flew on Feb. 2. After its fiery return to Earth that afternoon, the FAA announced it would be investigating the landing “mishap.”

On Feb. 19, an FAA spokesperson said via email that the agency has closed the investigation into the landing mishap, “clearing the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval of license updates.”

“The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property. All debris was contained within the designated hazard area. The FAA approved the final mishap report, including the probable causes and corrective actions.”

As of Feb. 22, The Washington Post’s Christian Davenport was reporting that the FAA launch license has been granted, paving the way for SN10 to launch following a static test fire.

That test happened Tuesday, and SpaceX wasn’t quite satisfied with the results. One of SN10’s Raptor engines was swapped out and another test fire was completed Thursday. A launch Friday was ruled out, and over the weekend SpaceX also opted not to try on Monday.

Check back here for updates once SN10 is finally ready to fly (again). We’ll also include a livestream link here when it becomes available.

Follow CNET’s 2021 Space Calendar to stay up to date with all the latest space news this year. You can even add it to your own Google Calendar.  



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Science

SpaceX Starship SN10 launch: How to watch rocket prototype fly today

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Starship SN9 in flight.


SpaceX

The SpaceX Starship rocket prototype, SN10, ignited its engines for a split second on Wednesday afternoon, but an issue with the launch procedure triggered an automatic abort. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, said the rocket had a “slightly conservative high thrust limit” but the team would recycle propellant and try again. The company is now planning to try again at around 2:30 p.m. PT and if you want to watch live, we’ve got you covered.

These prototype tests have been coming extremely quickly for SpaceX’s Starship program. Only weeks after its predecessor SN9 flew high and then crash-landed on Texas’ Gulf Coast, SN10 will attempt to improve on that performance. Continue to check back here as we’ll embed the livesteam for the next attempt. Alternatively, you can keep one eye on the SpaceX website, which begins a stream about five minutes prior to flight. 

SN10 and SN9 are the latest iterations of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s Starship prototypes that the company has been developing in full view at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas (or Starbase, as it might be known soon). Musk has promised that the next-generation rocket will be capable of revolutionary point-to-point travel around the globe, as well as sending civilians to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Over the past few years, Starship prototypes have progressed from making short, low-altitude “hops” to high-altitude flight demonstrations. The past two serial numbers, SN8 and SN9, have both flown to altitudes comparable to where commercial jets cruise, but then came in for explosive hard landings.

Musk had warned in advance of the tests that he expected such “rapid unscheduled disassembly” events to be part of the development process.

https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/xuERbqdkWX9WUf5_jYcwsA8j8Bw=/1092x0/filters:gifv()/2020/12/09/65f3a32f-cf78-429f-b76e-1b9fad081ad9/bang.gif

SpaceX SN8 flew high and landed hard.


SpaceX CNET video capture by Jackson Ryan

Following the flight and crash landing of SN8 in December, the follow-up flight of SN9 suffered a series of delays throughout January. It was revealed that SN8 had been launched without all required approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration, and a kind of staring contest developed as the FAA then took its time to grant the launch license for SN9.

In the end, the FAA was satisfied with the safety precautions for the test flight and SN9 finally flew on Feb. 2. After its fiery return to Earth that afternoon, the FAA announced it would be investigating the landing “mishap.”

On Feb. 19, an FAA spokesperson said via email that the agency has closed the investigation into the landing mishap, “clearing the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval of license updates.”

“The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property. All debris was contained within the designated hazard area. The FAA approved the final mishap report, including the probable causes and corrective actions.”

As of Feb. 22, The Washington Post’s Christian Davenport was reporting that the FAA launch license has been granted, paving the way for SN10 to launch following a static test fire.

That test happened Tuesday, and SpaceX wasn’t quite satisfied with the results. One of SN10’s Raptor engines was swapped out and another test fire was completed Thursday. A launch Friday was ruled out, and over the weekend SpaceX also opted not to try on Monday.

Check back here for updates once SN10 is finally ready to fly (again). We’ll also include a livestream link here when it becomes available.

Follow CNET’s 2021 Space Calendar to stay up to date with all the latest space news this year. You can even add it to your own Google Calendar.  



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Science

SpaceX fires up SN10 Starship prototype for 2nd time

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SpaceX has fired up its newest Starship prototype for the second time, continuing the vehicle’s test-flight prep.

Starship SN10 ignited its three Raptor engines for a few seconds today (Feb. 25) at 5:57 p.m. EST (2257 GMT) in a “static fire” trial at SpaceX’s South Texas site, near Boca Chica Village on the state’s Gulf Coast.

SN10’s first static fire, which occurred on Tuesday (Feb. 23), apparently revealed an issue with one of the vehicle’s Raptors. SpaceX quickly swapped out the engine and got SN10 ready for another static fire, a common preflight checkout for the company’s rockets.

Starship and Super Heavy: SpaceX’s Mars-colonizing vehicles in images

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If all went well today, SN10 (“Serial No. 10”) could get off the ground very soon, perhaps in the next few days. The vehicle will fly about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) into the South Texas skies, a high-altitude jaunt similar to the ones flown by the three-engine SN8 and SN9 prototypes on Dec. 9 and Feb. 2, respectively.

Those two flights went well until the very end. Both SN8 and SN9 hit their targeted landing zones but did not survive the touchdown, exploding in massive fireballs.

SpaceX is developing Starship to get people and cargo to the moon, Mars and beyond. The system consists of two fully reusable elements: a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft called Starship and a huge rocket known as Super Heavy.

The final Starship will have six Raptors, and Super Heavy will be powered by about 30 of the engines, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has said.

The final, operational Starship could be flying soon, if all goes according to plan. SpaceX hopes to launch a prototype into orbit sometime this year, and Musk recently said he thinks the system will be flying people regularly by 2023. 

Mike Wall is the author of “Out There” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook. 



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Science

SpaceX fires up SN10 Starship prototype for 1st time to prep for test flight

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SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype just roared to life. 

The Starship SN10 (“Serial No. 10”) vehicle performed its first “static fire” test on Tuesday (Feb. 23), lighting up its three Raptor engines for a few seconds at 6:03 p.m. EST (2303 GMT) at SpaceX’s South Texas site, near the Gulf Coast settlement of Boca Chica Village.

Static fires, in which engines briefly ignite while a rocket stays anchored to the ground, are a common preflight checkout for SpaceX. If all went well with today’s test, SN10 remains on track to launch soon — perhaps as early as Thursday (Feb. 25) — on a 6-mile-high (10 kilometers) demonstration flight into the South Texas skies.

Starship and Super Heavy: SpaceX’s Mars-colonizing vehicles in images

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It will be the third high-altitude test for a Starship vehicle, after similar jaunts in December 2020 and Feb. 2 of this year by SN10’s two immediate predecessors, SN8 and SN9. Both of those flights went well until the very end; SN8 and SN9 slammed hard onto their landing pads, exploding in dramatic fireballs.

Such flights are a crucial part of the development path for Starship, which SpaceX sees as the vehicle that will make Mars colonization economically feasible. The Starship system will consist of two fully reusable parts: a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft called Starship and a huge rocket known as Super Heavy.

The final Starship will have six Raptors, and Super Heavy will sport about 30 of the engines, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has said. Starship will be powerful enough to launch itself off the moon and Mars, but the spacecraft will need Super Heavy to get off Earth.

We’ll likely see many more Starship test flights over the coming weeks and months, no matter how SN10’s launch goes. Musk recently said that SpaceX aims to launch a prototype to Earth orbit this year, and he envisions Starship carrying people regularly by 2023.

Mike Wall is the author of “Out There” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook. 



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Science

SpaceX fires up SN10 Starship prototype for 1st time to prep for test flight

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SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype just roared to life. 

The Starship SN10 (“Serial No. 10”) vehicle performed its first “static fire” test on Tuesday (Feb. 23), lighting up its three Raptor engines for a few seconds at 6:03 p.m. EST (2303 GMT) at SpaceX’s South Texas site, near the Gulf Coast settlement of Boca Chica Village.

Static fires, in which engines briefly ignite while a rocket stays anchored to the ground, are a common preflight checkout for SpaceX. If all went well with today’s test, SN10 remains on track to launch soon — perhaps as early as Thursday (Feb. 25) — on a 6-mile-high (10 kilometers) demonstration flight into the South Texas skies.

Starship and Super Heavy: SpaceX’s Mars-colonizing vehicles in images

See more

It will be the third high-altitude test for a Starship vehicle, after similar jaunts in December 2020 and Feb. 2 of this year by SN10’s two immediate predecessors, SN8 and SN9. Both of those flights went well until the very end; SN8 and SN9 slammed hard onto their landing pads, exploding in dramatic fireballs.

Such flights are a crucial part of the development path for Starship, which SpaceX sees as the vehicle that will make Mars colonization economically feasible. The Starship system will consist of two fully reusable parts: a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft called Starship and a huge rocket known as Super Heavy.

The final Starship will have six Raptors, and Super Heavy will sport about 30 of the engines, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has said. Starship will be powerful enough to launch itself off the moon and Mars, but the spacecraft will need Super Heavy to get off Earth.

We’ll likely see many more Starship test flights over the coming weeks and months, no matter how SN10’s launch goes. Musk recently said that SpaceX aims to launch a prototype to Earth orbit this year, and he envisions Starship carrying people regularly by 2023.

Mike Wall is the author of “Out There” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook. 



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Science

Elon Musk says there is a ‘good chance’ SpaceX’s Starship SN10 will launch this week

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Elon Musk says there is a ‘good chance’ SpaceX’s Starship SN10 will launch this week after the FAA closes its investigation of SN9’s explosive test flight

  • SpaceX could launch its Starship SN 10 prototype this week, said Elon Musk
  • The firm was under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration
  • The investigation looked into the root cause of the exploding SN9 prototype
  • The agency found no endangerment, deeming SN10  cleared for take off
  • SN10 conducted the same high-altitude flight of six miles into the air

By Stacy Liberatore For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation on SpaceX’s exploding Startship SN9 prototype ‘clearing the way for the SN10 test flight.’

The investigation focused on ensuring the operations are safe, which found the explosion did not endanger the public and debris was contained in designated hazard areas.

The announcement from the FAA means SpaceX can move forward with launching its latest prototype, which CEO Elon Musk says has a ‘good chance of flying this week.’

Road closures around SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas facility says that space flight activities are set for February 22 from 9am GMT to 6pm GMT, but it is not clear if the firm is conducting tests or the world will see SN10 take its first six-mile high flight.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation on SpaceX’s exploding Startship SN9 prototype ‘clearing the way for the SN10 test flight.’ And Elon Musk says it could happen sometime this week

The FAA opened an investigation into SpaceX following the launch of its Starship SN9 on February 2 that ended in the rocket bursting into a ball of flames when it attempted to land.

SN9 took off around 3:24pm ET on February 4 from SpaceX’s Boca Chica testing facility.

The massive rocket hit the six-mile goal about four minutes into flight and then successfully performed an aerodynamic descent on its side while falling to the earth.

However, the prototype was unable to maneuver into the vertical position before landing on the launch pad, hindering its ability to stick the landing.

Road closures around SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas facility says that space flight activities are set for February 22 from 9am GMT to 6pm GMT, but it is not clear if the firm is conducting tests or the world will see SN10 take its first six-mile high flight

Elon Musk hinted on Twitter that SpaceX could launch the Starship SN10 this week

It landed with a deafening crash, and exploded into bright orange flames and a dust cloud, but the fire did not spread.

After the launch, the FAA opened an investigation into the mishap to determine if SpaceX followed protocols – specifically that no one or thing was put in danger during the explosion.

‘The FAA’s top priority in regulating commercial space transportation is ensuring that operations are safe, even if there is an anomaly,’ the federal agency told DailyMail.com in a statement.

The FAA investigation into the exploded SN9 (pictured) focused on ensuring the operations are safe, which found the explosion did not endanger the public and debris was contained in designated hazard areas

‘The FAA will oversee the investigation of the landing mishap involving the SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype in Boca Chica, Texas.’

‘Although this was an uncrewed test flight, the investigation will identify the root cause of today’s mishap and possible opportunities to further enhance safety as the program develops.’

Just as many who watched the live stream, the FAA concluded that the failure occurred during the rocket’s re-entry.

‘The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis,’ a FAA spokesperson told CNN. ‘Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property.’

The announcement means SN10 would launch from the testing facility and attempt the iconic ‘belly flop’ maneuver on the return trip – but hopefully the latest prototype can still the landing unlike its predecessors. 



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