SN8 launch is running late

Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER

SpaceX missed its window of opportunity for launching its Starship SN8 prototype rocket on Nov. 9 at the Boca Chica site by just a few minutes, but took place later in the week.

The company did not not cite the reason for the delay.

Backup dates were assigned by Cameron County to close State Highway 4 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. until Nov 13.

Over the course of Nov.1- Nov. 7., the Boca Chica launch site has been focused on stacking SN8 with a nose cone. The launch is expected to be the highest in comparison to its predecessors and will be the first to take flight with the nose cone, according to space.com.

“SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond,” as stated on the SpaceX website. “Starship will be the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tonnes to Earth orbit.”

 The 165-foot-tall Starship vehicle will eventually launch from Earth attached to a giant rocket (Super Heavy), which has not been tested in prototype form yet, according to space.com.

Together, the Starship vehicle and Super Heavy will be 394 feet tall.

SN8 is among a long line of Starship prototypes to be tested. 

As previously reported by The Rider, SN5 and SN6 proved to have parallel hops of 500 feet earlier this year. 

What is different about this prototype is that while its predecessors were equipped with a single Raptor engine, SN8 will have three, according to the SpaceX website.

Aside from the three Raptor engines, SN8 is equipped with a nose cone for aerodynamics and will sport body flaps on its side to increase stability during the flight. 

The launch is expected to break records for the SpaceX team in its aim for interplanetary exploration.