SpaceX, new 'Starship' engine static fire test succeeds...launch next month

Capability of 'Starship V3' engine verified on the ground

Drawing attention ahead of the Artemis III launch next year

An engine static fire test for the first-stage rocket of Starship, 'Super Heavy', developed by SpaceX, is being conducted on the 15th (local time) at the Starbase launch site in Texas. Provided by SpaceX

A static fire test for Starship's first-stage rocket, 'Super Heavy', is being conducted at the Starbase launch site in Texas on the 15th (local time). Provided by SpaceX

An engine static fire test for the second-stage rocket, the 'Starship spacecraft', is being conducted at the Starbase launch site in Texas on the 14th (local time). Provided by SpaceX

The static fire test of a new variant of Starship, the largest launch vehicle for humanity developed by the U.S. private space company SpaceX, has been completed. The new Starship, whose engine thrust is much stronger than that of previous versions, will be launched into Earth orbit next month.

Including earlier variants, this twelfth test launch is highly significant. This is because Starship is scheduled to rehearse in Earth orbit in the middle of next year, meeting Artemis III to operate as a lunar lander. If the test launch next month succeeds, it will brighten prospects not only for next year's Artemis III launch but also for the Artemis IV launch aimed at 'human presence on the lunar surface' in 2028.

On the 15th (local time), via X, SpaceX announced that it had completed a static fire test of Starship, the largest launch vehicle developed by the company (124.4ｍ), at the Starbase launch site in Texas. The previous day, the test targeted the second stage, the 'Starship spacecraft', and on this day it targeted the first stage, 'Super Heavy'. A static fire test is a procedure in which a rocket is firmly secured on the ground and its engines are ignited to verify thrust and stability.

SpaceX has launched Starship a total of 11 times since 2023. Nevertheless, there was a reason to conduct a static fire test that is typically performed for rockets being launched for the first time after development. This is because the Starship to be flight-tested for the twelfth time next month will be equipped with a new engine, 'Raptor 3'. For this reason, SpaceX has also given the new Starship the nickname 'Starship V3'.

The transport capability of Starship fitted with the new engine is expected to improve dramatically. It will be able to place a total payload of 100 tons into low Earth orbit. Previous Starship variants were limited to 35 tons. The new Starship will thus be able to carry far more satellites at once and disperse them into Earth orbit. This can greatly reduce the cost of satellite launches.

There is another reason this test flight draws attention beyond 'improved transport performance'. Starship is slated to be used as a lunar lander. In the middle of next year, Starship is to rendezvous in Earth orbit with the NASA crewed spacecraft Artemis III, which is scheduled to be launched then, and perform 'docking', that is, a maneuver to couple their vehicles. The plan is to conduct a trial in which astronauts who have been aboard Artemis III transfer to the lunar lander. If this test goes well, Artemis IV, which will send two people to the lunar surface at the end of 2028, can also be launched as scheduled.

If the Starship test flight next month succeeds, it will give a green light to these NASA plans. Conversely, if a serious problem such as an in-flight explosion occurs, delays to the timeline for a human lunar landing cannot be ruled out. SpaceX also plans to use Starship in the future as a transportation system connecting Earth and Mars.

한글기사 원본(Original Korean Story)