Ship 35 returns to the test site for third static fire before Starship Flight 9

SpaceX has once again sent the Ship 35 to the Massey outpost at Starbase, Texas, to test the upper stage for the third time before it can be used for the Starship Flight 9. This new development comes at a time when SpaceX continues to change flight plans for this mega rocket test.

Visuals shared by Starship Gazer have confirmed that the ship is successfully rolled out to the test mount and is waiting for the engine ignition. This shows the significance of the verification process.

Earlier this month, SpaceX conducted the first static fire test on Ship 35 with a 30-second burn. The second test took place on May 12, but this time for 60 seconds. The test duration for the third static fire is unknown, but we’ll have the answer to this question very soon.

SpaceX Starship at test site (Source – SpaceX)

These tests aim to verify the engine ignition and the duration without any technical issues. The past two flights – the 7th and 8th- caught fire in the aft section of the upper stage, later spreading to the Raptor engines. These two events led to rapid, unscheduled disassembly, and the ship turned into debris.

The ship loss during Flight 7 and 8 has caused the company to rethink its pre-flight tests, and it is now reflecting on the Starship Flight 9. Ensuring performance and stability before an actual flight could increase the chances of success, and the third test could be the last before the ship could fly into space.

The primary goal with Starship Test Flight 9 is to deploy the upper stage into its trajectory and keep it there before it splashes down in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX may not attempt to catch the first stage due to public and launch site safety due about the booster reuse.

According to the latest details, Starship Flight 9 could launch as soon as next week, but an official date is yet to come.