Starship SN9 waiting for Monday launch green light - NASASpaceFlight.com - NASASpaceflight.com

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January 8, 2021.

Starship SN9 gained a green light to conduct a launch on Monday, following a series of Static Fire tests and preparations for its 12.5 KM test flight from Boca Chica.

With proof testing under ambient and cryogenic conditions completed ahead of a triple Raptor Static Fire test, that goal remained on the cards

However, during the first Static Fire attempt, SN9’s three Raptors did not fire for the required duration, ultimately demanding the test be repeated test

Instead, SN9 was recycled for another Static Fire test, with Elon Musk noting on Twitter: “Today at SpaceX is about practicing Starship engine starts

Fears that such a process would push SN9’s launch date back by weeks were soon dismissed by the sight of new Raptors riding to the Launch Pad for swap-out processing

Interestingly, the turnaround pace – allowing for the Static Fire test window to be confirmed for Monday (pending a good flow and subject to slips) – was impressive, dismissing concerns of a lengthy delay to the launch date based on previous engine swaps during pre-launch testing

This Static Fire test has since moved to Tuesday, then Wednesday – which suffered from numerous aborts

A quick look review took place before confirming the test provided the acceptable parameters to press toward launch

Thanks to the numerous tests that have now occurred with Starships, a Static Fire and Launch Countdown timeline has been produced by NSF’s Adrian “Spreadsheet Guy” Beil, allowing for visual countdown clues

Following the review of the vehicle and engine performance from the test, the path to launch started to become clear.  Currently, the earliest SN9 could launch is Monday afternoon

Although the delay to SN9’s expected launch date can be measured in days, the high production cadence down Highway 4 at the Production Site once again sees several Starships impatiently waiting to take their turn to head to the launch pad

— Chris B – NSF (@NASASpaceflight) January 8, 2021

With a variety of additional testing hardware seen arriving on a truck this Sunday, the only question outstanding is when the new Test Tank will be taken out to the launch site for what is likely to be an overpressure test event, following in the footsteps of previous Test Tanks