Spacex Conducts Full-length Test Of Falcon 9 Engines

摘要

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) conducted the first mission-length test firing of the core stage of its planned Falcon 9 rocket Nov. 22, running the nine-engine cluster for nearly three minutes.rnThe static-fire test, conducted at SpaceX's McGregor Test Facility near Waco, Texas, saw the rocket stage generate 855,000 pounds of thrust at full power. SpaceX officials said all nine engines fired for 160 seconds, then two engines shut down as intended while the other seven continued to fire for 18 more seconds, mimicking a typical climb to orbit.rnSpaceX officials said the test validated the Falcon 9's ability to shut down selected core-stage engines without affecting the functioning of the remaining engines. The test also showed, according to SpaceX, that the Falcon 9 could lose two engines and still complete its mission.