SpaceX’s prototype Starship spacecraft faces another mission-friendly mission. Already on Monday, it could take off to a height of 12.5 kilometers, which is many times more than the previous test “jumps”. With the final version of the rocket, SpaceX boss Elon Musk wants to go to Mars within four years.
–
The Starship rocket with the SN8 designation will fly for the first time with wings and an aerodynamic tip. Compared to previous models, it will also have three engines instead of one.
The new prototype of the ship has already passed a number of tests and successfully passed the key static ignition of the engines. Nevertheless, Musk points out that the return of a complete ship to the ground is unlikely. According to him, the main task of the machine is to verify new components, even during the first attempts at maneuvering.
Any damage to the prototype would not make the SpaceX too sorry. The SN9 follower is already waiting for the Boca Chica center in Texas, and work continues on other prototypes.
–
–
The previous Starships have already managed to jump to a height of 150 meters three times. The final six-engine version can take up to a hundred people into space at once.
The spacecraft is designed to travel to both the moon and Mars. However, it can also serve as a cargo ship for bringing technology into orbit or as a super-fast intercontinental means of transport.
–
–
Musk plans the first flight to orbit, next year. He wants to conquer the red planet in 2024. However, the condition for the start is the optimal mutual position of both planets, ensuring the shortest flight trajectory. It is repeated every approximately 26 months. According to Musek, the flight to Mars is only real every roughly two years or so.
Without a human crew, it would be possible in the next start window in 2022. However, Musk had to reconsider and postpone his bold plans several times in the past, which must be taken into account this time as well.
– .
