SpaceX Starship SN4 Passed Cryogenic Pressure Test Successfully

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SpaceX Starship SN4 Rocket Passed Cryogenic Pressure Test Successfully.

Spacex has successfully completed the cryogenic pressure testing of the prototype reusable spacecraft Starship (SN4) on April 27, reports Spacenews. Let us recall that three previous attempts were unsuccessful.

The prototype of the spacecraft, which is planned to be used for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond, was tested at the Spacex Company’s own test site in Boca Chica (Texas, USA). As part of the tests, Starship SN4 tanks were filled with gaseous nitrogen at ambient temperature. On Monday, the company retested and filled the tanks with liquid nitrogen. The aim was to test the ability of the tanks to hold cooled to extremely low temperatures the propellant under pressure.

Spacex Starship Rocket Test engine Valuation.

The successful trials were announced by Spacex head Elon Musk (Elon Musk), who wrote about them on Twitter.

The structure literally blew out the top of the structure as a result of the explosion. At the time, the company stated that «such result was not [for them] unexpected».

The second pressure test failed with the Starship SN1 prototype on February 28 of that year. When the Starship SN1 tank was filled with liquid nitrogen, it flew to pieces. As a result, the prototype of the rocket flew to an altitude of 10-20 meters.

The Starship SN2 test was successful in early March. However, Spacex failed again in early April, this time with the Starship SN3 prototype. According to Musk, the problem was the preparation of the test itself rather than the design of the spacecraft prototype.

Spacex plans to conduct static firing tests. The prototype will be powered by the Raptor rocket engine and will try to start at 150 meters and then gently reset.

According to Musk, Starship SN4 will be «physically ready» for this launch in the coming weeks. But such tests require the approval of the United States Federal Aviation Administration.

Spacex is also working on the Starship SN5 prototype. The Mask had previously noted that the vehicle would be fitted with three Raptor engines, as well as an upper nose cone. He also added that the aerodynamic rudders (used in the Falcon 9 and Heavy missiles) would be installed either on the SN5 prototype or already on the SN6.

The most difficult test, according to Musk, is the development of a production line for the Starship.

The hardest part is to build a rocket. It’s hard to design a rocket, it’s ten times harder to build a rocket. But organising the production line of assembly - hundreds, if not thousands of times more difficult», - noted Musk in an interview on April 24.