SpaceX completes successful hot fire test of its massive Starship rocket

Enlarge / SpaceX conducted a second static fire test of Booster 9 on Friday. (credit: SpaceX webcast)

SpaceX conducted a second hot fire test of its Super Heavy booster on Friday afternoon, likely taking a key step toward the next launch of its massive new rocket.

A few minutes after the test firing, SpaceX founder Elon Musk characterized it as “successful” on the social media network formerly known as Twitter. SpaceX later confirmed that all 33 Raptor engines ignited during the test and that all but two ran for the full six-second duration.

This Super Heavy booster, the largest and most powerful rocket to ever fly, serves as the first stage of SpaceX’s mega-rocket, which pushes the Starship upper stage into orbit.