SpaceX Readies For Fourth Starship Test & Ships Rocket To Launch Site!

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Following the third Starship test flight, which was partially successful and took place less than three weeks ago, SpaceX seems to be forging ahead at full speed with their plans for a fourth test flight later this month. Despite facing a lengthy and challenging regulatory approval process in 2023 that caused a significant delay for the second Starship IFT in November, SpaceX has since accelerated their progress and successfully tested the full stack rocket last month.

Following the test, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell announced that the company intends to conduct a Starship test later this month. With the advancements observed at the Texas test facilities, it seems likely that the fourth Starship stack will be launched in the near future.

SpaceX Prepares for Crucial Launch Pad Test Before Upcoming Mission

In order to successfully launch a rocket, especially one that is still being developed, SpaceX must conduct a series of tests. These tests involve pressurizing the rocket’s tanks to ensure they can withstand the proper propellant pressures, inspecting various systems at the launch pad, and igniting the engines to assess their ability to handle the demands of flight. The engine tests are referred to as static fires, and the rockets are relocated to either the launch site or a test mount.

In preparation for IFT-4, SpaceX has accelerated its pre-flight Starship testing timeline and conducted two static fires of the second stage’s engines shortly after IFT-3. The first test involved firing all engines in the full stack, while the second focused on a single engine. These tests are essential for the upcoming orbital test, as the second stage will need to fire all engines during stage separation and a single engine will also be tested in space during IFT-4.

A SpaceX Starship Super Heavy static fire test in December 2023 — The Starship Super Heavy during its static fire test in December 2023. Image: Elon Musk/Twitter

After completing testing on the second stage Starship rocket, SpaceX is now preparing to ignite the 31 engines on the Starship Super Heavy booster. As the largest rocket booster in the world, SpaceX has conducted several IFTs, which have resulted in improved engine reliability. These tests have successfully addressed previous issues with multiple engine misfires during launch, allowing for all 31 engines to fire up seamlessly.

Footage captured by local media confirms that the Starship Super Heavy booster, expected to be used for IFT-4, has arrived at the launch pad. This suggests that a static fire test may occur later this week, or that SpaceX is conducting tests on recent modifications made to the rocket following the third test in the previous month.

During the test, all of Super Heavy’s engines successfully ignited during launch. However, they seemed to have difficulty reigniting during landing. The rocket’s landing process involves being in a vertical position in order to be caught by the launch tower’s ‘chopsticks.’ To slow down, the rocket fires up its engines before landing.

If the Super Heavy successfully undergoes a static fire test, the next Starship launch could potentially occur later this month, pending approval from the FAA. Following the static fire, the next stage involves stacking the second stage on top of the Super Heavy for a wet dress rehearsal, where both rockets will be loaded with fuel and propellant to simulate pre-launch conditions.