SpaceX has rolled out SN10. It is currently scheduled to continue testing a high altitude launch, flip maneuvers, landing with the new three engine initial burn. Hopefully the third time's the charm. Launch Date: Mid-Feb Launch Window: TBD Launch site: Launch Pad Test Stand 2 - Boca Chica, Texas Mass: TBD Altitude Goal: 10 km SpaceX SpaceX Starship - Wikipedia
Elon mentioned in a tweet that one the gating factors getting this to production status is building enough raptor engines. Wild that ship building isn't the gating factor.
They are reusing engines on SN10. I know one of them is #39 and SpaceX is well into the 50's with Raptor engines.
It will be fantastic if the three engine initial burn leads to a successful landing. Really looking forward to them getting the heat shield on and testing re-entry techniques.
One of the things that struck me with the SN8 groundpad-camera perspective was the two engines gimbled in wildly opposite directions when trying to cancel out the rotation... certainly seems lack of the second engine to do that is why SN9 over-rotated:
The software probably wasn't programmed to take into account the possibility of only one engine working, since if that was the case, the rocket is lost anyways, so what's the point. That would mean you'd see all sorts of weirdness since the software was trying to control the rocket based on an an incorrect understanding of what was really going on.
I would assume that they would have real time feedback of the thrust of each engine, based on strain gauges on the engine support structure. If that's the case, the computer knew there wasn't sufficient thrust and it was beyond the control parameters.
Static Fire happened this morning. 55 minutes into this webcast. There was an issue with one of the Raptors and Elon tweeted that they will be replacing that one. New Raptor has already been seen heading out to the pad to get switched out.
"As early as Wednesday, March 3, the SpaceX team will attempt a high-altitude flight test of Starship serial number 10 (SN10)" -SpX "Starship launch tomorrow. Window opens at 9am." -Elon
Aborted at T minus 0.1 seconds. Raptor thrust out of spec, it seems. They are looking at data to see if they can recycle and try again before launch window closes at 6:30 PM local time (Central). SpaceX webcast is still live.
"Launch abort on slightly conservative high thrust limit. Increasing thrust limit & recycling propellant for another flight attempt today." https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1367213114228318209 "New T-0 will be 4:20PM - 4:30PM local. 22:20 - 22:30 UTC." SpX stream.