May 21, 2024 – SpaceX has announced via its official X account seven hours ago that Starship 29 has completed its Wet Dress Rehearsal, and is now awaiting final launch date approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to a report on May 17th, SpaceX had already stacked Starship 29 atop Super Heavy Booster 11. In today’s test, both rockets were fully fueled to evaluate their pre-flight performance.
These tests conducted by SpaceX serve to certify multiple rocket systems, ensuring their ability to withstand the high propellant pressures on launch day.
Initial signs of propellant loading appeared 15 minutes before 9 a.m. local time in Texas, as frost began to form on the rockets. Prior to condensation, SpaceX commenced venting propellant from the fueling lines and other equipment.
Following the completion of these tests, SpaceX may dismantle the stacked rockets and potentially transport them back to the production facility for final preparations.
Previously, SpaceX’s Starship has undergone three test flights. In the first flight, the failure was attributed to the inability of the Starship and booster to separate, leading to a controlled detonation by SpaceX less than four minutes into the flight.
During the second test flight, although the Starship successfully separated from the Super Heavy Booster approximately 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the flight, the booster subsequently exploded in mid-air.
The third test flight, conducted on March 14th (Beijing time), saw the experimental rocket launched from SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. This flight achieved a higher altitude and faster speed than the previous two tests, marking the first time the rocket reached orbit velocity.
