SpaceX tested the Super Heavy rocket booster for the first time by simultaneously launching seven Raptor engines
SpaceX conducted a new test of the Starship Super Heavy booster. The American company was able to launch seven engines.
Here's What We Know
The tests took place at the site in Texas. This is the first test in which the American company was able to launch seven Raptor engines at once. They were installed on board the B7 prototype. Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, said that in each of the seven engines observed good pressure.
STATIC FIRE! Booster 7 fires up multiple engines (the target was for seven). Let's see if @elonmusk confirms all seven, (which would be a new record!)
- Chris Bergin - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) September 19, 2022
Super cool!https://t.co/NSTKFLryfS pic.twitter.com/QM12fz11iu
The previous Super Heavy B7 tests took place in late summer of 2022. At that time SpaceX tested the accelerator with only one active engine. However, after the tests, the company had to make repairs to the prototype. As we can see, an unplanned flash, which formed a huge fireball, did not cause serious damage.
The next test will allow SpaceX to test the operation of all 33 rocket booster engines. The company wants to make the first orbital flight of the Starship prototype this year but the FAA has not yet given its approval.
Source: space
