SpaceX test fires its massive Raptor engine for powering the company’s next-generation rocket

SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturing giant successfully completed the first test fire of its massive engine. It will power the company’s next-gen rockets. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO announced the news by posting a few videos of the engine being test fired on Twitter. The test firing was performed at the space firm’s test site in McGregor, Texas. The Raptor engine is the successor to SpaceX’s existing Merlin 1D engine. It is anticipated that the engine will power the company’s spaceships to the Moon, and other planetary expeditions. Musk has posted two videos on his Twitter account, one with sound and one without it. The one which has sound is so loud that while watching it, the volume must be low.

The company might install three such engines on its prototype Starship. A few short “hop” tests will be performed by this prototype spaceship in the low altitudes ranging between 1,640 and 16,400 feet. The plan is to eventually have a total of seven Raptor engines in its spaceship that will carry it to the space. The company claims that the engine designed by it gives better performance than other systems. It is basically powered by methane as fuel; hence, it is cleaner and cheaper.

Musk says, “The new rocket could perform an uncrewed mission to Mars as early as 2022, with a crewed flight to follow in 2024.”