The SpaceX team will attempt a high-altitude flight test of spacecraft number (SN9), this Tuesday (2). This will be the second high-altitude suborbital flight test of a Starship prototype from our site in Cameron County, Texas. Similar to high altitude flight test of spacecraft serial number 8 (SN8) , the SN9 will be powered via ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence before the vehicle reaches apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN9 will perform a propellant transition to the internal main tanks, which contain the landing propellant, before reorienting for re-entry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.
The Starship prototype will descend under active aerodynamic control, accomplished by the independent movement of two forward and two aft flaps on the vehicle. All four flaps are operated by an onboard flight computer to control the craft's attitude during flight and allow for precise landing at the intended location. The SN9's Raptor engines will then reignite when the vehicle attempts a flip landing maneuver just before touching down adjacent to the launch pad.
A controlled aerodynamic descent with body flaps and vertical landing capability, combined with in-space recharging, are essential for landing the spacecraft at destinations throughout the solar system where prepared surfaces or runways do not exist, and returning to Earth. This capability will enable a fully reusable shuttle system designed to carry crew and cargo on long-duration interplanetary flights and help humanity return to the Moon and travel to Mars and beyond.
Live broadcast:
Source: SpaceX
