this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2024
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The setting stage, Starship, needs to do in space engine relights.
Starship is supposed to go all the way to the moon. They need to demonstrate that refueling in space is possible, that the engines relight multiple times in orbit and after multiple days, and that it’s capable of landing safely on the moon.
Should they do an orbital test next? Or continue with the previously used 'almost orbit' trajectory that ensures the second stage re-enters safely with no need for a relight?
They should prove relight during these suborbital flights, anything else is just asking to accidentally leave a starship sized chunk of debris in orbit for a few months-years
Though at least they've already proved they can relight during a belly flop.
They have, but the belly flop is not zero-g conditions, though.