Author Topic: SpaceX preparing for first Starship test flight  (Read 620 times)

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SpaceX preparing for first Starship test flight
« on: July 12, 2019, 06:12:12 pm »
Space News by Jeff Foust — July 12, 2019

The initial prototype of SpaceX’s next-generation reusable launch vehicle will make its first, albeit low-altitude, test flight early next week, Elon Musk announced July 12.

In a series of late-night tweets, Musk, the founder and chief executive of SpaceX, said the “Starhopper” vehicle SpaceX is assembling at its test site near Brownsville, Texas, will make its first hop on July 16, now that the company has installed a Raptor engine in the vehicle.

Musk said that, on the upcoming test, the vehicle will go about 20 meters “up and sideways” before landing. The company plans, over time, to expand the flight envelope using that vehicle and another prototype. “Mk1 Starship hopefully 20km up in a few months,” Musk said.

More: https://spacenews.com/spacex-preparing-for-first-starship-test-flight/