The new SpaceX Starship SN10 prototype rocket could fly as fast as Thursday

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SN10 and its predecessor SN9 on the starting field in Boca Chica, Texas, in early February.

SpaceX

Just a few weeks after the preview SN9 flew high and then landed on Texas ’Gulf Coast, SN10 could try to improve on that performance, and it could happen as early as Thursday.

SN10 and SN9 are the latest iterations of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s Starship prototypes that the company has been developing in full view from their facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Musk has promised next generation rocket they will be able to travel from point to point across the globe, as well as the moon, Mars and beyond.

Over the last few years, Starship prototypes have gone from low-altitude “hop” to high-altitude flight demonstrations. The last two serial numbers, SN8 and SN9, have both moved to heights similar to where commercial jets travel, but then came in to come exploding hard.

Musk had warned before the trials that he expected such incidents to be “unorganized rapid disassembly” as part of the development process.

SpaceX SN8 flew high and landed hard.

CNET’s SpaceX video was captured by Jackson Ryan

Following the SN8 flight and crash in December, the SN9 flight suffered a series of delays through January. It was announced that SN8 was launched without all the required permits from the Federal Aviation Administration, and a sort of star tournament was developed by the FAA then taking its time to get the start-up license for Provide SN9.

In the end, the FAA was satisfied with the safety measures for the last test and flight SN9 flight on February 2. After returning to Earth that afternoon, the FAA announced that they would be inspecting the aircraft. -enter “mishap.”

On Friday, February 19, an FAA spokesman said by email that the agency has closed the investigation into the landfall, “clearing the way for the SN10 test flight awaiting to FAA approval for license updates. “

“The SN9 vehicle failed within the confines of the FAA safety inspection. Its explosion and unsuccessful explosion did not endanger the public or the building. All debris was within the designated danger zone. The FAA approved the final mishap report, including the most likely causes and corrective actions. “

As of Monday morning, the Christian Post’s Washington Davenport was reporting that the FAA launch permit had been granted, paving the way for the launch of SN10 after a static test fire. Based on the latest temporary flight restrictions, Thursday is the earliest we see SN10, with opportunities on Friday and Saturday as well.

Check back here for updates and live streams once SN10 is ready to fly.

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