Starship SN10 hopeful for launch "this week" - Super Heavy waiting in the wings - NASASpaceFlight.com - NASASpaceflight.com

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SN10 first requires a Static Fire test – expected No Earlier Than (NET) Monday – ahead of being cleared for launch, which was expected last week before Texas was hit by severe weather

SN10 has been sat patiently on Pad A for some time now, rolling out down Highway 4 ahead of SN9’s launch, in turn marking the first time two Starships had been out at the launch site at the same time

Although work never ceased at SpaceX’s Boca Chica site, the improving weather over the weekend saw an increase in activity around SN10, including testing the aft flaps – albeit deployed via the leg power of a SpaceX worker on the mount

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 21, 2021

Such a flight would be subject to a successful Static Fire test – which is currently NET Monday, with notice of such a test provided to local residents, such as Mary, on Sunday night

Once SN10 has fired up her three Raptors, the only outstanding requirements ahead of setting the launch date would be acceptable data from the test – in turn fed into the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) – along with FAA approval – since granted, and acceptable weather conditions for launch day

SN8 and SN9 both achieved numerous test objectives – such as controlled ascent and a stable bellyflop return before SN8 suffered engine issues due to a loss of pressurization in the CH4 Header Tank during the landing burn and SN9 failed to ignite one engine during the flip maneuver due to an apparent ignitor issue

Starship SN11 is all-but ready to make the trip to the launch site following the completion of its processing flow inside the High Bay

Now with a nosecone and its aero surfaces installed, the option to take the trip and host the vehicle on Pad B has not been taken at this time but will remain an option if SN10 doesn’t launch by the end of the coming week

Pending the results of SN10, this vehicle could launch relatively soon after taking the trip down Highway 4

SN15’s nosecone is already being prepared, allowing for the stage to be set where this vehicle will take over the position in the High Bay once SN11 vacates it for the trip to the launch site

This unnamed section could indicate a vehicle that will be taken to an altitude that would test its heat shield under re-entry conditions

This vehicle could conceivably head to the launch site before the likes of SN19 take the road trip

It is understood that BN1 would be hosted at one of the Starship launch site mounts, Pad A or Pad B, and may only be used for ground testing

Rolling BN1 to the launch site for ground testing would allow for valuable data related to pressure and cryo-testing

The initial Super Heavy rockets, at least, will launch from the Orbital Launch Site that is continuing to be built up next to Starship’s two pads

With the supports for the Orbital Launch site mount now complete, as it waits for the launch table to be transported from the Production Site, a huge amount of work is taking place on the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) facility