Elon Musk
Just thought I'd share this fiery image from Super Heavy Booster 7's (B7) February 9 static fire that Elon Musk tweeted yesterday!
Mentioned in another tweet by Musk is that B7 will ignite its 33 Raptor 2 engines at 90% thrust during the actual launch (which is still scheduled for next month)...when the 31 engines that fired three days ago 'only' operated at 50% thrust, which is still more powerful than that of the Saturn V.
The lower thrust level for the inaugural flight might be due to SpaceX wanting more engine redundancy for B7 in case a few Raptor 2s shut down during launch or ascent, and also to reduce the stress on the Orbital Launch Mount—which currently doesn't have a sound suppression system installed. As shown below, such a system is in the midst of being put in place at Starbase's launch site for Starship's maiden voyage to Earth orbit!
SpaceX installed water tanks at the orbital site to feed a new deluge system and spray sound suppression water on the pad prior to launch.
— Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist) February 7, 2023
Video from Jack (@thejackbeyer), Nic (@NicAnsuini), and Starbase Live. Edited by Thomas Hayden.
📺https://t.co/85P5S1XSXx pic.twitter.com/ImCDppJ4Kj
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