SpaceX tests all 33 Super Heavy engines ahead of Flight 14
SpaceX conducted a static-fire test of all 33 engines of the Super Heavy booster at the Starbase site in South Texas. The test took place on Friday, August 28, as part of preparations for the 14th test flight of the super-heavy Starship rocket.
Booster check
The company reported a full-duration static-fire test of all 33 Super Heavy engines and released two videos of the test. Super Heavy is the first stage of the Starship system, which also includes the 171-foot, or 52-meter, Ship upper stage.
Earlier, SpaceX tested the engines of the upper stage intended for Flight 14: last week at Starbase, the company fired all six of its engines. Space.com reports on the rocket's preparations for the next test.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Plans for Flight 14
According to the publication, SpaceX is likely targeting mid-September for Flight 14. If the mission goes according to plan, Starship will make an orbital flight for the first time. The upper stage is also expected to deploy a batch of Starlink Version 3 satellites into orbit.
During Flight 13 last month, Ship deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites on a suborbital trajectory. Those satellites subsequently fell back to Earth shortly afterward.
Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, while Super Heavy and Ship are designed for full and rapid reusability. NASA selected Ship as the crewed lunar lander for the Artemis program, which envisions establishing a base near the Moon's south pole.
