So I wonder if the additional fires are to test the header tank pressure mods they are implementing? It doesn't seem to me we've seen any evidence that engine re-ignitions themselves are a problem. but then again we have a pretty limited set of data for Raptors. Any chance the third engine on SN8 was supposed to re-light for landing and didn't?
That guy Pranay Pathole, Elon Musk responds a lot. Very knowledgeable, always comes up with a great quote or highly relevant bit of historical information for every Elon's tweet.
Eric Berger: "Regarding the fate of Starship prototype SN9, I have begun to hear bits and pieces that are not great news. There's nothing I consider reportable on what has happened, but I would now bet against SN9 flying before February." https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1350183316335558661
Well that stinks. I wonder if it was the reason for the triple static fire, or resulted from it. Or unrelated completely. Or possibly related to falling over in the high bay...
Any word on FAA approval yet? When I last looked earlier this am there was still no news (that I could find).
There was a NOTAM for today that was approved on Tuesday, but it is no more Temporary notice on FAA page: Current Operations Plan Advisory Tomorrow's is still there 1/7364 NOTAM Details
FAA may have approved a launch for today. And back to tomorrow... They are tanking and de-tanking but an actual launch is very unlikely. Teases.
"As early as Monday, February 1, the SpaceX team will attempt a high-altitude flight test of Starship serial number 9 (SN9)" -SpX