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RusticMachine t1_j8ixtpl wrote

Reply to comment by RGregoryClark in SpaceX rolls naked Starship prototype to test site by RGregoryClark

> The key clue is it’s moved to the suborbital launch pad. This means it can launch without the SuperHeavy booster.

I think you’re confused. SpaceX has been testing all their Starship prototypes on the suborbital launch pad (e.g. cryo testing, static fires, etc.). This is not an indication it will launch from that platform.

Fyi, Starship by itself, even in an expandable configuration, cannot reach orbit. It needs SuperHeavy even if it were empty (also, the additional 3 engines are vacuum optimized and are only meant to be started at a higher altitude).

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RGregoryClark OP t1_j8n6931 wrote

The “Angry Astronaut” did a video from Boca Chica showing the Raptor work station being moved towards Ship 26:

https://www.youtube.com/live/MmUwHVji9b4

He says that’s only done if you are installing engines on the Starship. You don’t do that if you are only doing pressure testing. He notes though that it could be putting engines either on S26 or S25. Probably we’ll know by the end of today which ship is having engines installed.

Conceivably, it could only be doing static fire testing. Still, 6 engines are sufficient for it to take off fully fueled. Note, the expendable version is much lighter than the reusable version, having no top or bottom flaps, heat shield, legs, or ballast tanks. Any reasonable estimate of the dry mass of the expendable version allows for it to reach orbit with significant payload in a single stage.

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