Starship Serial Number 3, or SN3, was a Starship prototype intended for static fire tests and low-altitude hops.[1] It was destroyed during testing on 3 April 2020.[2] The liquid oxygen tank in the aft section of the vehicle was inadvertently depressurized, causing the structure to collapse under the weight of the full methane tank above (which was the focus of testing).[3] Undamaged parts of the prototype were recovered and repurposed for SN4.[4]
Timeline[]
29 March 2020 - Rolled out to test site[5]
2 April 2020 - Testing begins[2]
3 April 2020 - Destroyed during testing[6]
Test schedule[]
| Date | Test type | Outcome | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 April 2020 | Ambient pressure test (nitrogen) | Success | SN3 conducts an Ambient pressure test with Nitrogen. |
| 3 April 2020 | Cryogenic pressure test | Failure | SN3 conducts a cryogenic pressure test which resulted in a RUD. |
Note: SN3 originally underwent cryogenic proof testing between the 2nd and 3rd April, but the first attempt was aborted due to mechanical issues with ground support equipment]
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1237088353406910465
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-destroyed-cryo-test-next-ship/amp/
- ↑ https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/04/spacex-starship-sn3-ground-flight-testing/
- ↑ https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-first-starship-rocket-reuse-sn3-sn4/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Jq0fDPPgzXU
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wFXQ5SRCy74