We're live for the Starship SN10 launch!
Starship SN10 prepares for its 10km high-altitude flight test
On March 3, SpaceX will attempt to launch Starship SN10 (Serial Number 10) on a 10km flight test—the third high-altitude flight test of a Starship, following SN8 and SN9. SN10 will launch from the SpaceX launch facility in Boca Chica, TX. Though, as Elon announced earlier today on Twitter, the area will soon be renamed “Starbase, Texas,” as SpaceX begins to build out its spaceport.
Creating the city of Starbase, Texas
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2021
SN10’s flight will follow a similar trajectory to SN8 and SN9, with the hope that the engines will properly ignite for a successful landing. SpaceX explains that SN10 will be powered by three Raptor engines through ascent, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee at 10km. Then, SN10 will perform a propellant transition to the internal header tanks before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.