SpaceX’s Rocket Engine Test Sees Stream of Sparks Fly Out As Testing Continues In Texas

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With two months left until 2024, the pace of Starship testing at SpaceX's multiple facilities throughout Texas has increased. SpaceX seems to be testing upgrades to its Raptor 2 engine for the world's most powerful rocket, while at the same time, a new test has taken place at the Starship launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas. Footage gathered by local media shows that the fire suppression system, installed earlier this year, was tested at a higher power level to meet the full brunt of the 33 Raptor 2 engine firing at launch.

Simultaneously, footage from SpaceX's facilities in McGregor shows that Raptor engine development is in full flow. During the third week of October, SpaceX tested a Raptor 2 engine multiple times, and based on the footage, it could be possible that the tests are part of a process to improve the engine's key performance parameters, build materials or subcomponent systems.

SpaceX's development approach for its Starship program has allowed the firm to have multiple rockets in production and testing simultaneously. The full Starship stack comprises two rockets, the first stage Super Heavy booster and the second stage Starship spacecraft. One test conducted late last week saw SpaceX fire up a second stage Starship Raptor engine to demonstrate a key capability for NASA's lunar landing system.

A couple of days later, SpaceX fired up its water deluge system more than two months after an initial test. This time, the test featured an extra storage tank and saw more water flow out to match the scale required to protect the launch pad from damage during a Starship launch.

SpaceX has