April 26, 2021
Starship SN15 is set to re-enter pre-launch testing Monday, tasked with setting the scene this week for a flight that could pave the way toward an orbital flight in the coming months. The groundwork for the push to orbit is taking place both at the Orbital Launch Site and elsewhere in Texas as a new dual-bay Raptor test stand nears completion.
Starship SN15:
Since arriving at the Suborbital Launch Site, SN15 has undergone several “risk reduction” tests ahead of firing up her trio of Raptors.
I have received an Alert notice and there is a road and beach closure scheduled from noon – 8 p.m. on Monday, April 26. Possible static fire attempt of Starship SN15’s Raptor engines tomorrow. @NASASpaceflightpic.twitter.com/ungUt4gIfL
Starship SN15 prepares for flight following major NASA vindication
April 18, 2021
Starship SN15 is expected to undergo a Static Fire test as early as Tuesday to clear the path for a test flight no earlier than Wednesday as SpaceX’s rapidly reusable interplanetary launch and landing system gained a massive sign of NASA approval – and a ton of government cash to boot.
SpaceX was the sole winner of NASA’s initial Human Landing System (HLS) award worth in total more than $2.9 billion, meaning the human return to the Moon’s surface will be via Starship.
Starship SN15:
Classed as the next evolution of the prototype Starships, SN15 will aim to go one step further than its predecessors.
Starship SN11 prepares to fly as SpaceX pushes for Orbital flight this summer
March 15, 2021
Starship SN11 will re-attempt a Static Fire test Thursday – following a scrub on Monday – ahead of a potential flight as early as the weekend or the start of next week. Forever subject to change due to numerous considerations – ranging from weather, hardware parameters, and paperwork approval – SN11 will mark the final test of this iteration of Starship before the program moves into the next phase of testing.
Following SN11’s flight, SpaceX will move on to SN15, 16, and 17, alongside testing with Super Heavy prototypes BN1 and BN2, before shooting for an orbital launch with SN20 and BN3. In typical SpaceX-style, that orbital launch has an astonishing – and unlikely – “by July 1” target. At the very least, this target portrays SpaceX’s Starship drive to push the vehicle into operation.
Starship SN11 arrives at Pad B as SpaceX plans for the future
March 7, 2021
Just days after SN10 completed the first – albeit hard – Starship prototype landing, SN11 rolled out to the launch site for its own attempt. Incremental progress is being made with the test flights, with another tweak to the landing sequence set to be implemented, based on data gained from SN10. Meanwhile, the first Super Heavy prototype continues stacking operations while parts for up to Starship SN20 are being staged at the Production Site.
These future vehicles are set to take up residence at a launch site SpaceX plans to expand, per updated documentation.
NASA has revealed a stunning image of Venus taken by its Parker Solar Probe back in July. It was snapped 7,693 miles away from Venus, which is a key part of Parker s seven-year mission.