Super Heavy performs Static Fire Test ahead of Starship Flight 4

SpaceX today shared details of the Super Heavy performing a short-duration static fire of its Raptor engines in preparations to launch Starship test flight 4.

Static fire is a ground test where the rocket is fueled to ignite engines, pressure maintenance, and systems while the rocket remains on the test mount. This activity remains only for a few seconds and not a full duration.

Starship integrated flight combines two stages including the first stage Super Heavy rocket featuring 33 Raptor engines with a combined thrust of 7,590 tf. The rocket takes the vehicle into the upper atmosphere and then Starship (second stage) fires its 6 Raptor engines to continue the mission to orbit.

Before that, the Super Heavy separates from the Starship and boosts back to land on Earth.

During the third test in March, the booster completed its stage separation and performed boost backburn but failed to achieve the landing. With Starship Test Flight 4, the company is looking toward this milestone.

The company founder Elon Musk said that the Flight 4 test could happen in May.

Static fire of the Flight 4 Super Heavy booster pic.twitter.com/6KMgvKSmSK

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 6, 2024