SpaceX is another step closer to the 11th flight of the mighty Starship rocket after it completed a test fire of the Ship\u2019s engines on Monday.<\/p>\n
The test, which took place at SpaceX\u2019s Starbase facility in southern Texas, appeared to go without a hitch, suggesting the 11th Starship flight could take place by the end of this month, or early next.<\/p>\n
NASASpaceflight shared footage of the Ship\u2019s engine test on X. The static engine fire lasted a matter of seconds, with the video showing it from multiple angles.<\/p>\n
SpaceX also shared its own footage of the engine test.<\/p>\n
SpaceX performed a similar test<\/a> on the Starship\u2019s first stage \u2014 the Super Heavy booster \u2014 earlier this month.<\/p>\n If data from the Ship\u2019s test on Monday looks good, then the upper-stage spacecraft will be placed on top of the Super Heavy in readiness for launch from Starbase.<\/p>\n The Starship made its inaugural flight in April 2023, and most recently launched last month, on August 26. The rocket\u2019s performance has been mixed, but progress has been made over the last couple of years, with the 10th flight last month easily one of its most successful to date<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Starship generates around 17 million pounds of thrust at launch, making it the most powerful rocket ever to fly. Once testing is complete and the Starship becomes fully certified, NASA will use the 121-meter-tall vehicle for crew and cargo missions to the moon and possibly even Mars.<\/p>\n But there are still many challenges ahead<\/a> before SpaceX\u2019s rocket is ready for prime time.<\/p>\n