The Rigorous Road to IFT-4: Testing Booster 11 and Ship 29

image credit SpaceX

As SpaceX gears up for the fourth integrated flight test (IFT-4) of its ambitious Starship program, the test regime for Booster 11 and Ship 29 has been nothing short of meticulous. The preparation phase is critical, ensuring that both the booster and the spacecraft are ready for the challenges of orbital flight. SpaceX's Starship system consists of two stages: the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster. The spacecraft is designed for missions to the moon and Mars, while the booster provides the necessary thrust to escape Earth's gravity. Together, they form what will be the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed.

Booster 11's Baptism by Fire

Booster 11, the behemoth first stage of the Starship system, has undergone a series of rigorous tests. The static fire tests are particularly crucial, as they simulate the conditions of an actual launch without leaving the ground. For Booster 11, this meant igniting all 33 of its Raptor engines in a controlled environment, pushing the limits of engineering prowess and design.

On April 5, 2024, SpaceX conducted a static fire test at their South Texas facility. The test involved igniting 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster. As the countdown hit the final seconds, the FireX system began dispersing any gases around the engines, followed by the water suppression system flooding the pad to protect it from the power of all 33 Raptor engines, which lit in a fury and ran for around 7 to 8 seconds before shutting down.This event marks a significant progression in the Starship program, as it gears up for an orbital test flight.

image credit SpaceX

Ship 29's Trial Runs

Ship 29, the second stage of the Starship, has also faced a demanding test schedule. The static fire tests for Ship 29 have been a two-pronged approach. The first test involved all six Raptor engines, a full-scale demonstration of power and endurance. The second test scaled back to a single-engine burn, simulating the in-space conditions that Ship 29 will encounter beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Here's a timeline of recent events related to Ship 29:

- Ship 29's barrel sections were first spotted around July 2022.
- Its stacking began in May 2023.
-It went through its first Cryo Proof Test on 26 September 2023.
-After successful cryo test, it went through Raptor Engine installation process which Started on 29 December 2023.
- it successfully completed its Spin Prime Test on 11 March 2024 after a failed attempt on 7 March.
-Static Fire #1 was conducted on 25 March 2024 with all 6 engines.
-Static Fire #2 was successfully conducted On 27 March 2024, in which a single sea-level raptor engine was fired using the header tanks to simulate the in-space re-light.

images credit SpaceX