Quote:
Originally Posted by allen_kcCard
I'm curious when they do those static fires if they have the booster anchored down enough to be able to hold down a full thrust, and if so, what sort of lockdown that takes to hold that mother down. Either that or the fire is a fraction of the full blown version?
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/r/SpaceX has some great discussion on stuff like this. You'll find this very topic being talked about in the current top 2 threads. From this one...
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comm...t_of_a_falcon/
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by /u/SuperSMT
Yes, they do test at the full thrust of a launch. They use very strong clamps at the base of the rocket that hold on to the structure just above the engines. Here's what they look like.
https://imgur.com/r/spacex/dWRXLOV
https://i.imgur.com/dWRXLOV.gifv
For long duration tests at McGregor, they'll also put a heavy weight on top of the rocket, tied to the ground with long cables. As the fuel runs out on a long test, the rocket's thrust to weight ratio greatly increases, so extra hold down strength is needed. |