Booster 7 Performs Multi Engine Static Fire Test!

Written By: Josh G for Onkla

At Starbase on August 31, 2022, Superheavy Booster 7 performed a multi engine static fire test on SpaceX's Orbital Launch Mount. The test appeared to be a success and marked the first for many different things.

At around 11:00am Central Daylight Time, both liquid methane and liquid oxygen began loading into Booster 7. Everything continued to look normal until SpaceX entered an unplanned hold. However, the issue was later resolved and then the countdown continued. At 12:54pm CDT, the 10 minute siren was heard. The 10 minute siren is when the local police officer sounds their police car siren for around thirty seconds, and that marks that a test is around ten minutes away.

Booster 7 Static Fire on the Orbital Launch Mount (Photo: LabPadre Sapphire Cam)

At 1:03pm Central Dalight Time, three Raptor engines were spin started, which means that the turbopumps were brought up to full speed. Then the engines were ignited. But then only two of the three engines produced healthy mach diamonds. It appears that then the engines was burning fuel rich and was shut down. The other two engines then burned for another few second before shutting down and making the iconic Raptor shutdown honk.

This was the first multi engine test on the Orbital Launch Mount. This was also the first multi engine static fire test for Booster 7. However, this was not the first multi engine test as previously in July, SpaceX tested all 33 Raptor engines, and it resulted in an anomaly. The engines performed a spin prime test, which is where both propellants are sent into the engine, the pumps are brought up to full speed, but then it is meant to be shutdown with no ignition. However, on that test, the propellants found an ignition source, and then that resulted in a large boom.

This test with Booster 7 is part of a testing campaign for SpaceX to recieve their launch liscence to launch their Starship rocket on the Orbital Flight Test which is currently slated for the second half of September of 2022. Another reason that all the testing is now occuring is that SpaceX wants to make sure that their vehicle is ready for the flight. This test with Booster 7 was part of a two vehicle test which is where both Booster 7 and Ship 24 will test simultaneously. (These two vehicles are also slated to fly on the Orbital Flight Test together.)

Ship 24 on Suborbital Pad B (Photo: Mary for NASASSpaceFlight)

Later today, Ship 24 is expected to ignite atleast a single Raptor 2 engine. Ship 24 is equipped with six Raptor 2 engines. There are three Raptor 2 sea level engines, and three Raptor 2 vacuum engines. An overpressure notice has been recieved by locals at Starbase Boca Chica so expect testing later today.