SpaceX's 'Test Hopper' is a prototype for a Mars launch system called Starship. The vehicle may see its first rocket-engine test-firing as soon as March 18.
the Test Hopper's nosecone in February. Musk said the day of the incident that it'd take weeks to repair the nosecone.
A"static fire" ignites a rocket engine to ensure it works, but the vehicle that it's on — in this case the Test Hopper — is held down to not lift off the ground. Such tests help engineers find and troubleshoot any issues before attempting a launch in earnest. "SpaceX is planning to conduct testing as soon as the week of March 18, 2019 at the company's site located near Boca Chica Beach, Cameron County, Texas. During those tests, SpaceX will establish a safety zone perimeter in coordination with local law enforcement. Signage will be in place prior to testing to alert the community of any temporary closures of Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach.
By comparison, Kennedy Space Center in Florida permits visitors to witness launch activity no closer than 3 miles away from its most famous launch pad.I watched SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket thunder into space for the first time — here's what it was like on the ground
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