Elon Musk says Starship SN8 prototype will have a nosecone and attempt a 60,000-foot return flight

en.mogaznews.com ^ | 09/12/2020

[BenLurkin]

Recently, SpaceX has completed short, 150 meter (just under 500 feet) test flights of two earlier Starship prototypes, SN5 and SN6 – and SN8, which is currently set to be done construction “in about a week” according to Musk will have “flaps & nosecone” and ultimately is intended for a much higher altitude test launch.

The prototypes that SpaceX has flown and landed for its so-called ‘short-hop’ tests over the past few weeks have been full-sized, but with a simulated weight installed on the top in place of the actual domed nosecone that will perch atop the final production Starship and protect any cargo on board. SN5 and SN6, which are often compared to grain silos, are also lacking the large control flaps on either side of the nosecone that will help control its flight. SN8 will have both, according to Musk.

This version of the prototype will also undergo the same early testing and its precursors, including a static fire and other ground checkouts, followed by another static fire before ultimately attempting to fly to an altitude of 60,000 feet – and then returning back to the ground for a controlled landing.

[gov_bean_ counter]

“set to be done construction”???

[Moonman62]

I’ll be watching. Their FCC application sets the date no earlier than October 11th.

[PIF]

“set to be done construction”???

```
Writer failed English 102 for wordy constructions when “finished” should have been used.

[PreciousLiberty]

This article didn’t mention it but I believe SN8 will also have three Merlin engines installed for 1.5 million pounds of thrust total. The final version will have six IIRC. Up to now it’s only been one.

The first stage is slated to have something like 27, the count was just reduced because of thrust improvements to the engine design. It uses methane/LOX.

It’s pretty neat that they can do these flights without risk to pilots!

[Pollard]

The engines that will be tested in this case are SpaceX's next-generation Raptors — likely three of them, to get the SN8 up so high. SN5 and SN6 sported only a single Raptor, and those vehicles didn't have nosecones or control-improving body flaps, either. (SN7 was a test tank that SpaceX intentionally burst during a pressure trial this past June, in case you were wondering.)

SpaceX is iterating toward a final version of Starship that will feature six Raptors and, Musk has said, be capable of carrying up to 100 people to the moon, Mars and other distant destinations.

The 165-foot-tall (50 m) Starship will launch from Earth atop a gigantic rocket known as Super Heavy, which will be powered by about 30 Raptors of its own.

https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-prototype-test-flight-soon.html

My favorite is the twin landings, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbbSCqaeWyA

[Moonman62]

Here’s a large image of the build site made on 09/12. SN8 is in the mid bay with SN5 and SN6 in front of the building. SN8’s main flaps are to the right of the building with one coming in on a truck. High bay is on the right in the foreground and still under construction. There are people on a scaffold for scale.

https://i.redd.it/ve960f8w9tm51.jpg
(You may need to click on the image to enlarge it.)

Reddit Thread:

https://old.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/irofgf/flyover_0912_sn5_sn6_sn8_new_fins/