SpaceX has already sent the new SN9 to the launch pad, and even at the end of this year, it is making its newest rocket available for testing of the Starship project.</p> The use of SN9 comes after SpaceX carried out a historic flight with the SN8 prototype, which unfortunately exploded upon landing, something already expected in the tests by the engineer.</p> The SN9 prototype is expected to enter testing in January of this year, after SpaceX completes cleaning and reassembly of the launch and landing sites in Boca Raton.</p> The prototype was nearly scrapped after an accident earlier this month. On the morning of Dec. 11, as SN9 awaited launch in the "High Bay" storage building near the launch pad, an unknown issue caused the rocket's stand to partially collapse and tilt the rocket about five degrees before crashing into a nearby wall. Due to the angle and direction in which SN8220 fell, the rocket suffered only minor damage to its exterior, which was repaired in the following days.</p> SN8221 is expected to repeat the same test sequence as SN9, with a straight-line high-altitude flight and a successful landing attempt, if possible.</p> Its flight data will also determine how quickly future prototypes will reach their next target of reaching an altitude of 9 kilometers.</p> ;</p></p>
