staticfire
Latest
The largest-ever solid rocket engine is ready for its first static fire
This week, the European Space Agency (ESA) will perform a hot fire test on the P120C rocket engine. It is the largest-ever solid rocket motor ever built in one piece. The ESA plans to use it on the Vega rocket, replacing the current first stage booster, as well as the upcoming Ariane 6, scheduled to launch in 2020.
SpaceX tests the Falcon Heavy's 27 engines ahead of first launch (updated)
Today, SpaceX performed a static fire test on its Falcon Heavy rocket. Also called the hold-down test, it involved loading the rocket with propellant and firing all of its 27 engines at once while the rocket was secured to the launch pad. The test appears to have been successful, though we are waiting on confirmation from SpaceX.
SpaceX plans to fire the Falcon Heavy rocket’s engines on Wednesday
SpaceX has announced a new (tentative) static fire date for its Falcon Heavy rocket. The test is currently scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, according to Spaceflight Now.
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket will test its 27 engines (updated)
We've been talking about SpaceX's new rocket, the Falcon Heavy, for years now, so it's exciting to see that the launch vehicle inching closer to its maiden voyage. Last week, the rocket was raised to a vertical position on Pad 39A before being lowered to make way for the Falcon 9 Zuma mission, which launched on Sunday evening. Now, the Falcon Heavy has returned to the pad to prepare for the static fire test, which will take place this week. The test window is tomorrow, January 10th, between 1PM and 7 PM ET.
