Spaceflight Insider

News Archive / Tagged: RAPTOR

  • SpaceX completes engine tests for Lunar Starship

    Derek RichardsonSeptember 19th, 2023

    In a NASA update, the agency detailed two engine tests completed by SpaceX for the Starship human landing system, which is expected to be used for the Artemis 3 and 4 Moon landings later this decade.

  • The winds of change are stirring for Starship and Starbase

    Cullen DesforgesJuly 26th, 2021

    A static fire and new build rumors abound as SpaceX continues to make progress at its Starbase site in South Texas.

  • SpaceX preparing for 1st Starship Super Heavy booster static fire

    Cullen DesforgesJuly 19th, 2021

    The Orbital Launch Tower for SpaceX’s Starship launch system got its final section over the weekend as the company continues to press toward the first static fire of a Super Heavy booster.

  • Raptors abound at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas

    Cullen DesforgesJuly 12th, 2021

    Raptor engines were the hot topic last week at SpaceX’s rocket production and testing facility in Boca Chica, Texas, also known as Starbase.

  • SpaceX’s ‘Starhopper’ catches fire in recent test

    Cullen DesforgesJuly 17th, 2019

    A test of SpaceX's 'Starhopper' rocket appears to not have gone entirely as planned. Several outlets are reporting that things didn't go as planned.

  • 1st Starship Hopper test firing could be this week

    Derek RichardsonMarch 18th, 2019

    SpaceX’s Starship Hopper test article recently had a Raptor engine installed in advance of its first test firing, which could come as early as this week.

  • Raptor fired at power level needed for Starship, Super Heavy

    Derek RichardsonFebruary 7th, 2019

    SpaceX's first Raptor flight engine performed another test, increasing its thrust and chamber pressure to levels required for Starship and Super Heavy.

  • Update: Raptor roars on SpaceX’s Texas test stand

    Derek RichardsonFebruary 4th, 2019

    SpaceX’s Raptor engine was briefly fired on a test stand days after company CEO and Founder Elon Musk revealed photos of the engine on Twitter.

  • Musk teases Starship in round of Twitter posts

    Jason RhianDecember 30th, 2018

    Among a deluge of Tesla and The Boring Company tweets, SpaceX's founder, CEO and chief rocket designer Elon Musk teased the latest about the Big Falcon Rocket "Starship."

  • SpaceX shows mach diamonds are a rocket’s best friend with Raptor sneak peek

    Curt GodwinSeptember 26th, 2016

    SpaceX conducted the first firing of the company's Raptor engine. The test comes as the NewSpace firm prepares to make a major announcement about its plans to send crews to the Red Planet.

  • SpaceX sends Raptor to Texas for testing

    Derek RichardsonAugust 10th, 2016

    In a keynote address at a Utah conference about small satellites, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell talked about how the company is working to fly CubeSats and other small spacecraft as a side payload on upcoming vehicles, including the Falcon Heavy and Red Dragon. She also mentioned the company has shipped the first Raptor engine to their McGregor, Texas, test facility for firing.

  • Orbital ATK, SpaceX awarded contracts by U.S. Air Force

    Jason RhianJanuary 17th, 2016

    The U.S. Air Force announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, that its Space and Missile Systems Center had awarded OTAs to two aerospace firms ‒ SpaceX and Orbital ATK. These agreements are for a shared public-private partnership to develop rocket propulsion systems prototypes. It is hoped these agreements will help to end U.S. dependence on foreign-made rocket engines.

  • SpaceX to test ‘game-changing’ rocket engine at Stennis’ E-2 Test Stand

    Scott JohnsonApril 23rd, 2014

    BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. – Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA in the fall of 2013 to enable the company to test components of its new liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane powered “Raptor” engine on the E-2 test stand at the space agency’s Stennis Space Center located in south […]

  • Sun n Fun wows Central Florida visitors

    Jason RhianApril 7th, 2014

    LAKELAND, Fla — Guests and locals in-and-around Central Florida got a special treat this week as the Sun n’ Fun International Air Show and Expo created its own special brand of thunder April 1-6. The weather cooperated through much of the nearly week-long event and saw powerful jets such as the F/A-18 Hornet, F-22 Raptor and prop-driven […]

  • U.S. Navy Blue Angels kick off 2014 Sun n’ Fun with a bang

    Jason RhianApril 4th, 2014

    LAKELAND, Fla — The United States Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels opened the 2014 Sun n’ Fun International Air Show and Expo with the roar that only their F/A-18 Hornets can provide. Thursday, April 3 saw the team conduct their stunning routine in the mostly-clear skies above Central Florida. The show’s start marks […]