Serial Number 4 SN4 during it's 2nd static fire |
| Also Called | SN4 |
|---|
| Status | Partially Constructed |
|---|
|
| Ambient Temperature N2 Pressure Test | Pass |
|---|
| Cryogenic Liquid N2 Pressure Test | Pass |
|---|
| Wet Dress Rehearsal (May 2) | Canceled |
|---|
| Wet Dress Rehearsal (May 3) | Partial Success |
|---|
| Wet Dress Rehearsal & Preburner Ignition | Pass |
|---|
| 1st Static Fire | Pass |
|---|
| 2nd Static Fire | Complete |
|---|
Starship Serial Number 4 is a Starship previously constructed in Boca Chica, Texas. SN4 was the successor of SN3 and has its lower section stacked and is currently located on the test stand to undergo testing. It took the skirt from the thrust section of SN3. It was rolled to the testing pad on April 23, 2020, and completed its Ambient N2 test on April 25, 2020.[1] It completed cryogenic nitrogen pressure testing on April 26, 2020, becoming the first flightworthy starship to do so.[2] The maximum pressure it held was 4.9 bar.[3] It's next test was a wet dress rehearsal, followed by a static fire expected sometime during the week of April 27.[4] SN4 has 1 Raptor installed for it's 150m hop. [5] There will be a wet dress rehearsal starting on May 2. Before venting on SN4 occurred, an abnormally large flare which started a small fire near the bottom of the flare stack happened[6]. After this, emergency vehicles went to the pad, and a lift was raised. It is assumed that this test was canceled. On the night of the 3rd, another attempt at a wet dress rehearsal occured. It was mostly successful, however the methane inside became too hot and it was aborted early. On the night of the 4th, a final wet dress rehearsal occurred with a preburner ignition. Finally, on the night of the 5th, a static fire occurred, making it the first starship to complete a static fire test. A second static fire occurred May 6th, which used the header tank instead of the main tank. Following this, the flare stack went out[7], but returned about two hours later.
Testing
SN4 Test History
| Date
|
Event
|
| 23 Apr 2020
|
SN4 rolled out to Launch Site
|
| 23 Apr 2020
|
Mounted to Test Stand 1
|
| 26 Apr 2020
|
Ambient Pressure Test
|
| 27 Apr 2020
|
Cryogenic Pressure Test
|
| 30 Apr 2020
|
Raptor SN18 taken to Launch Site
|
| 01 May 2020
|
Raptor SN18 fitted to SN4
|
| 02 May 2020
|
Water Deluge test
|
| 05 May 2020
|
Wet Dress Rehearsal
|
| 05 May 2020
|
Static Fire testing starts
|
| 06 May 2020
|
Static Fire testing finishes
|
| 07 May 2020
|
Raptor SN18 removed from SN4
|
| 08 May 2020
|
Cryogenic Pressure Testing starts
|
| 10 May 2020
|
Cryogenic Pressure Testing finishes
|
| 10 May 2020
|
Raptor SN20 taken to Launch Site
|
| 11 May 2020
|
Raptor SN20 fitted to SN4
|
| 17 May 2020
|
Preburner test
|
| 19 May 2020
|
Water Deluge test
|
| 19 May 2020
|
Static Fire testing begins
|
| 27 May 2020
|
Mass Simulator fitted to SN4
|
| 28 May 2020
|
Static Fire testing complete
|
| 28 May 2020
|
GSE Disconnect test and RUD
|
References
SN4 during it's 2nd static fire