SpaceX Starhopper Prototype Makes Final Test Flight | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Thu, Aug 29, 2019

SpaceX Starhopper Prototype Makes Final Test Flight

Achieved An Altitude Of 500 Feet Before Landing Back At Separate Landing Pad

After a technical glitch scrubbed its launch as the countdown clock ticked down to zero, the SpaceX Starhopper prototype got off the ground Tuesday evening in its final test flight.

The squat spacecraft reached an altitude of 500 feet during the flight, a limit imposed by the FAA in its launch license. The Starhopper barely left the ground in its first two flights, which were tethered. The third flight rose to an altitude of 65 feet, according to a report from Space.com.

Starhopper lifted off just after 1800 EDT (1700 local time in Texas), reached its hover altitude, and then flew sideways to the nearby landing pad. The flight lasted just under a minute.

Starhopper is powered by one Raptor engine, which is being developed by SpaceX for use on its Falcon Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft.

SpaceX will not turn its attention to two orbital prototypes, which SpaceX calls Starship Mk1 and Mk2. They will be powered by three Raptor engines each, according to Musk. Test launches of these prototypes will lead to operational Starship flights, which SpaceX hopes to launch as early as 2021.

(Images from YouTube)

FMI: Source report


Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Boss, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Rick Kenin New Board Chair of VAI

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC