Starship SN9 needs two Raptor engines switched after 3 successful static fire tests

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SpaceX conducted 3 static fire tests in a single day on the Starship SN9 prototype. The result is 2 of the 3 Raptor engines need to be swapped before SN9 is ready for the 12.5 km test flight.

According to Everyday Astronaut, when the SN8 prototype needed a single-engine swap, it took around 26 days from the swap to the test flight. However, Elon Musk replied that SpaceX is making major process improvements to shorten the rocket engine swap time.

Thanks to NASASpaceFlight.com for shooting the three SN9 static fire tests from multiple angles and posting them in one video (below).

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One of the observers at the SpaceX Boca Chica launch site saw the Raptor SN44 engine being transported to the SpaceX build site after being removed from Starship SN9.

SpaceX Raptor SN44 engine being transported to the build site after removal from Starship SN9.
SpaceX Raptor SN44 engine being transported to the build site after removal from Starship SN9. Credits: John Kraus Photos / Twitter.

Elon Musk also said that it would be wise to test SN9 for another static fire after the new Raptor engines are in place. Today’s Starship prototype launch sites are now called the future Mars Spacports, they will truly be as soon as the goal for a real mission to Mars is achieved, and Musk thinks that’s going to happen in the next 4-6 years.

A few photos of the Starship SN9 from Pauline Acalin and Jack Beyer show how majestic the Starship is looking right now standing at the launch site. The evening sunset photos look like they are from a sci-fi movie but they are not.

Stay tuned for Starship SN9 test flight coverage, follow us on:
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Video: Watch Raptor SN44 being lowered from Starship SN9 and taken to the SpaceX complex (skip to 10:34 in the video).
Iqtidar Ali
Iqtidar Alihttp://www.teslaoracle.com
Author of more than 1500 articles on Tesla, SpaceX, and EVs. His work has been liked and tweeted by Elon Musk and other prominent influencers. You can reach him on Twitter @IqtidarAlii

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