Bad News for SpaceX Starship -- Raptor Engine Exploded

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The recent SpaceX Raptor engine test at the McGregor facility experienced an anomaly that led to a secondary explosion. Fortunately, the test stand appeared to sustain minimal damage. Losing an engine during testing is considered preferable to doing so during a flight. SpaceX routinely tests engines beyond their operational limits, sometimes pushing them to destruction. While the explosion was likely unplanned, specific testing parameters remain unclear without an official statement from SpaceX.
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It didn't look as though there was much damage to the test stand. And if you're going to loose an engine, it's best to loose it on a test stand.
 
Not the first, and not the last either. They routinely test engines beyond their flight requirements, and sometimes actively to destruction. It's likely this explosion was unplanned but we don't know what parameters they tested without a statement by SpaceX.
 

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