SpaceX received permission from flight authorities to launch Starship Flight 9 on Tuesday. The company explained what went wrong during Flight 8 when the rocket failed. A Raptor engine caused the upper ship to break apart during the last test. Flight 7 had different problems with the fuel system shaking. Flight 9 will use the same upper ship again for the first time.
The Super Heavy booster will try new moves during Flight 9. Engineers will make it flip in a controlled way and fly at a steeper angle. One center engine will shut off during landing to test backup systems. The rocket will not land back at the launch tower because of these risky tests. The steeper flight path will help the rocket use less fuel.
SpaceX will remove some heat tiles from the ship to test weak spots. New, improved tiles will replace others to see how they work. The ship will carry equipment for future tower landing attempts. Engineers ran over 100 engine tests at their Texas facility to fix the problems that caused Flight 8 to fail.
The Super Heavy booster will try new moves during Flight 9. Engineers will make it flip in a controlled way and fly at a steeper angle. One center engine will shut off during landing to test backup systems. The rocket will not land back at the launch tower because of these risky tests. The steeper flight path will help the rocket use less fuel.
SpaceX will remove some heat tiles from the ship to test weak spots. New, improved tiles will replace others to see how they work. The ship will carry equipment for future tower landing attempts. Engineers ran over 100 engine tests at their Texas facility to fix the problems that caused Flight 8 to fail.
