SpaceX Starship SN-09: test flight 1 (test flight)

[Dr Mordrid]

SpaceX has Starships numbered 10 - 17 under construction, so if this vehicle has a boomski landing the next in line gets its chance. They're hoping to launch SN-15 to orbit atop a Super Heavy booster prototype (BN-x)

Tim Dodd, The Everyday Astronaut, reports that SN-09 will fly no earlier than (NET) Wednesday January 6, 2021. 12.5 km.

https://everydayastronaut.com/starship-sn9-12-5-kilometer-flight/amp/

SpaceX will post a streaming link. Tim Dodd will be streaming on his YouTube channel,

https://youtube.com/everydayastronaut/live

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-09 on Pad B during the cryotest & thruster tests.

20210104_025419.jpg

Mary @BocaChicaGal
Starship SN9 is almost on the launch stand.
@NASASpaceflight https://t.co/f622KYep5J

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1341524302785605632

Teslarati @Teslarati
SpaceX's next Starship gets frosty to prepare for first launch https://t.co/KNlZAPvmyf by @13ericralph31

https://twitter.com/Teslarati/status/1344221921794269185

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-09

TFRs (FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions)

Static fire: Wednesday, Jan 6

TFR: Friday, Jan 8 (alt: unlimited)

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_1073.html

TFR: Saturday, Jan 9 (alt: unlimited)

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_1076.html

[Dr Mordrid]

Another SN-09 TFR - this one for Sunday, January 10. Also to unlimited altitude.

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_1077.html

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-09 Static fire attempt

Road closed
Pad evacuated
Tank venting
Propellant loading
LOX venting
Tri-venting (usually 12-15 min to ignition)

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-09 static fire !!!

[Dr Mordrid]

Sounds like another static fire tomorrow (Thursday) - trying for longer.

[Dr Mordrid]

Starship SN6 has its mass simulator removed, potentially preparing it to be used as the NASA Human Landing System mockup. Meanwhile SN9 continues toward launch preparations, launch currently scheduled for no earlier than January 8th.

Using a Starship prototype as a NASA Artemis Human Lander System demo would put it in this fin-less configuration,

Erday_Astro_IMG_20201212_194530.jpg

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-09 static fire

Date: Monday, January 11
Window: 0900 - 1800 Eastern

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1348391633784631296

[Dr Mordrid]

Monday's static fire attempt was cancelled by a triple-whammy of events,

1. high altitude winds

2. an overturned cement truck on the highway to the test site

3. a ship ran aground at the beach next to the test site

The Rocket Gods must have been angry o_O

@BocaChicaGal (Mary, who shoots most of those great pictures) got a notice there's a static fire attempt on for today (Tuesday, see below), and there are FAA flight restrictions (main & 2 backup dates) for Wednesday --> Friday.

Note: the times in Mary's post are US Central, so the window is 0900 - 1800 Eastern.

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1348796727067742209

[Dr Mordrid]

Wednesday Jan 13 SN-09 attempt

Propellant loading & venting

[Dr Mordrid]

Tri-venting

Static fire!!

[Dr Mordrid]

Looked good!

If the flight readiness review is good SN-09 should fly tomorrow or Friday.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1349423312728956928

[Dr Mordrid]

Trying for another static fire o_0

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1349432529657294848

"Today at SpaceX is about practicing Starship engine starts. Ship is held down by massive pins while engines are fired. Two starts completed, about to try a third."

[Dr Mordrid]

Static Fire 2

Reports it shook a hotel room at South Padre Island (6 miles)