Musk said that the first flight or subsequent test flight of the interstellar spacecraft may see the spacecraft prototype reach a height of 20 kilometers, which indicates that SpaceX plans to transition to high-altitude, high-speed testing as soon as possible.
Editor’s note: This article is from Tencent Technology, review: Golden Deer.
According to foreign media reports, Elon Musk, chief executive of SpaceX, the space exploration technology company, revealed that the first test flight of the SpaceX starship prototype may be carried out as early as October 2019. The estimates at the end of July were consistent, and it was expected that this milestone would be achieved in two to three months.
In Cocoa, Florida, USA and Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX’s two orbital-class interstellar spacecraft prototypes have been hugely built over the past two months or so. Progress. Musk has always planned to introduce the latest overview of the next generation SpaceX launch vehicle, which was originally expected to be carried out in August, after which various factors pushed it to September. Musk now confirms that the current scheduled presentation time may be on September 28.
Muske has previously mentioned this much-anticipated update and described it as a technical overview of the decision-making process that led SpaceX to replace the interstellar spacecraft composite design with stainless steel, and the Rockets in the past 6-12 months Many changes in the experience. Musk recently revealed that the fins/legs/wings of the interstellar spacecraft must also be modified according to the settings shown in the design update in September 2018.
The landing fins of the first interplanetary spacecraft Mk1 (built in Texas) arrived in Boca Chica in mid-August, followed by a seemingly header tank (small interior for landing propellants) Container), and other things known as the “Starship of the Starship.” Although SpaceX’s Starship Mk2 (Made in Florida) team was forced to suspend work for a few days due to the upcoming Hurricane Dorian, its progress has been quite rapid, with two or three shifts around the clock.
The three-Raptor engine thrust structure of the Starship Mk1 was installed in the tank section of the spacecraft a few weeks ago. The staff is now installing the main bulkhead of the interstellar spacecraft, a dome separating the liquid oxygen and methane tanks, and the third and last dome (the top of the oxygen tank of the interstellar spacecraft) is in the late stages of assembly.
In short, SpaceX’s Mk1 interstellar spacecraft continues to maintain an absolutely rapid pace of progress, and it is likely to be ready for Musk’s first test flight in October, even though the CEO is almost impossible. The deadlines and timetables are notorious.
Muske said, starThe first flight of the spacecraft (probably Mk1) or subsequent test flights may see the spacecraft prototype reach a height of 20 kilometers, indicating that SpaceX plans to transition to high-altitude, high-speed testing as soon as possible.
Unbelievably, Musk also said that the first orbital launch attempt of the interstellar spacecraft may be carried out “in the near future.” Musk’s previous statement showed that this attempt would require the completion of the super heavy booster and that it would require more than 20 Raptor engines to power it. Musk estimates that the Raptor engine will reach orbital readiness as early as October or November, and the orbital flight test before the end of 2019 will technically meet his expectations for testing in December/January.
Whether SpaceX can achieve this almost unbelievable and ambitious goal, unless there is unforeseen development, the Starship Mk1 and Mk2 will be ready for flight testing by the end of 2019, which seems to be perfectly reasonable. of. As the assembly of the Starship in Texas and Florida continues, we will wait and see for this day.