Fire caused by static ignition test of SpaceX starship prototype
On September 10, SpaceX successfully conducted static ignition tests on all six engines on its latest starship prototype, but caused a major fire due to overheated debris falling hundreds of meters away.
Starship S24 is currently being tested at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Bokachica, Texas, in preparation for its first orbital test flight possibly later this year. Starship S24 completed its first successful static ignition on August 9, when it started two Raptor engines. But for the rest of August, several attempts to test more engines failed.
SpaceX finally decided in early September to replace one of the three Raptor vacuum engines in starship S24 and tried again. When all six engines are started, up to 1380 tons of thrust can be generated. In addition to breaking the record for maximum thrust generated during the Starbase rocket test, the starship S24's engine started for nearly eight seconds, making it one of the longest static ignition tests carried out on the starship test rig.
After the dust and steam clouds dissipate, fires can be seen in many directions. In several places in the south and west of the launch pad, the bushes caught fire, began to burn violently, and quickly formed a wall of fire. In the east, superheated debris even got into SpaceX's dustbin, where the contents were easily ignited and burned for hours.
It was only at night that firefighters could get close to the launch pad and rockets, but the fire had spread south and could not be approached. Instead, they began to control the fire near barricades in SpaceX, hoping to clear bushes and prevent the fire from spreading to SpaceX's StarBase factory and homes in the village of Bokachica.
The fire affected an environmentally sensitive area that is home to threatened wildlife. In June, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an environmental assessment of the SpaceX Bokacchka expansion site, saying the company could continue with its plans, but had to complete about 75 environmental mitigation actions.
In these actions, SpaceX must implement wildfire prevention measures and use water spraying to curb dust and air pollution. However, in view of the latest situation, it is clear that SpaceX did not take the necessary precautions to prevent fire near the launch pad.
