Its been a real shame the SN9 hop was cancelled over and over last week, but our patience is being rewarded by the presence of the SN10 standing nearby for this (01.02.21 (or 02.01.21 for you Americans) planned launch.
The presence of a second rocket on the launch site is truly a powerful statement of intent from Space X. Basically saying 'Game on.'
'SN9 will be powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN9 will perform a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for re-entry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.
N9’s Raptor engines will then reignite as the vehicle attempts a landing flip manoeuvre immediately before touching down on the landing pad adjacent to the launch mount.' - Space X
Basically, it's gonna go up, then come down again. And NOT explode.
This time.
It'll be a hell of a show regardless.
Godspeed SN9
