SpaceX rolls next Starship prototype out to pad for engine test (photo)

SpaceX, the space exploration company founded by Elon Musk, has rolled out its latest Starship prototype to the launchpad for engine testing. The Starship is the company’s ambitious project aimed at sending humans to Mars and beyond. The prototype, called SN10, is expected to undergo engine tests at SpaceX’s facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The SN10 is the latest iteration of the Starship to be developed by SpaceX, which has been working on the spacecraft for several years. The SN10 is designed to carry up to 100 people or cargo to space.

The Starship is a two-stage reusable spacecraft that is intended to carry both crew and payloads on interplanetary missions and provide transportation to Earth’s orbit. SpaceX has made significant progress on the Starship at Boca Chica, where several versions of the prototype have been built and tested. Although several earlier versions of the Starship have exploded during pressure tests, SpaceX has continued to develop the spacecraft.

The rollout of the SN10 comes just weeks after the successful landing of the SN9 prototype, which also performed the infamous belly-flop maneuver during its flight test. While the previous prototypes have been marred by explosions and technical issues, SpaceX appears undeterred, continuing to refine its Starship design.

The successful development of the Starship is crucial for SpaceX’s goal of sending humans to Mars and establishing a self-sustaining colony on the Red Planet. The company also plans to use the Starship for lunar missions, satellite launches, and passenger flights on Earth. The roll-out of the SN10 is a significant step forward for SpaceX, and the successful testing of its engines will bring the company one step closer to achieving its ambitious goals.