SpaceX Conducts A Cryogenic Pressure Test Of Starship SN15 At Starbase

Featured Image Source: LabPadre Livestream via YouTube/Twitter

This afternoon, SpaceX conducted a cryogenic pressure test of the Starship SN15 prototype at the Starbase launch pad in South Texas. The proof test comes after SN15 underwent a pressure test at ambient temperatures last week. Today, the stainless-steel vehicle was filled with sub-chilled liquid nitrogen to simulate the pressures it will experience during its upcoming flight test and ensure the structure does not have any issues, like leaks. The vehicle should be capable of withstanding a ~6 bar strength, which is the strength required for an uncrewed orbital flight, a bar strength over 8.5 is needed for a crewed flight. 

Starship SN15 is snipping on some super cold liquid Nitrogen. Not her favorite tipple (CH4/LOX), but it'll get the party started.

Cryogenic Proof Testing:
➡️https://t.co/8nYwzUvNUO pic.twitter.com/DV6ma7gyaZ

— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) April 12, 2021

During the cryogenic proof test, engineers also utilized a thrust ram to imitate the powerful force of the Raptor engines. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Starship SN15 features “hundreds of design improvements” across structures, including “avionics/software and engine.” Starship SN15 also features an improved thrust puck design for its Raptor engine trio. Today’s pressure test also assessed the thrust puck’s strength. Starship SN15’s next pre-flight test is expected to be a brief ignition of its methane-fueled Raptor engines to assess their performance. Previous Starship prototypes all had an explosive finale due to an engine-related issue upon landing. Engineers are working to address all previous issues to attempt to have a successful Starship SN15 landing without an explosion. A static-fire test could take place later this week, ahead of a 10-kilometer (km) flight test that could take place before April ends.

Image Source: @CarterGoode6 via Twitter

Starship SN15 also features an unexpected addition, engineers attached a Starlink dish antenna to the stainless-steel vehicle, pictured above. According to a Federal Communications Commission (CC) filing the company submitted this month, “SpaceX requests Special Temporary Authority to operate a single user terminal within 5 km [kilometers] of Boca Chica Village, TX (26.00°N, -97.16°W) on an experimental basis at altitudes not to exceed 12.5 km. The authority requested herein will be sharply limited in duration: SpaceX requests to operate under this STA for a period of only 60 days, beginning on April 20 …” SpaceX wrote to the FCC in the filing. “These operations will only occur on the ground or during test flights of durations not to exceed eight minutes. This user terminal will be electrically identical to earth stations already authorized under SpaceX's blanket earth station authorization as well as its pending application for experimental authorization to operate a limited number of user terminals aboard aircraft,” the company wrote. If approved, SpaceX will test Starlink internet connection during Starship SN15's upcoming flight. You can watch SpaceX operations Live 24/7 in the video below, courtesy of LabPadre via YouTube.

Featured Image Source: LabPadre Livestream via YouTube/Twitter