NASA Tests SpaceX’s Lunar Launch Vehicle in High-Speed Simulations

  • SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket passes wind tunnel testing for Artemis moon missions
  • NASA tested a 1.2% scale model of the rocket at Ames Research Center
  • Model endured wind speeds from Mach .7 to Mach 1.4 in transonic Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel
  • Data collected will update flight software and refine exterior design
  • Super Heavy designed for reusability, with four grid fins for stability during re-entry

A scale model of SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket has successfully passed wind tunnel testing at NASA’s Ames Research Center, bringing it one step closer to launching future Artemis missions to the moon. The tests involved simulating various flight stages and aerodynamic conditions, with data collected being used to update software and refine the booster’s design. Super Heavy is designed for reusability and will play a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to explore more of the moon and prepare for future Mars missions.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the wind tunnel testing of SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket model by NASA, and explains its significance for future Artemis missions. It also mentions the purpose of the tests and how the data collected will be used to update flight software and refine the exterior design of the booster. The article is free from sensationalism, redundancy, personal opinions, and logical errors.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket passing NASA wind tunnel testing and its implications for Artemis missions. It also mentions the purpose of the test and how the data collected will be used to update flight software and refine the exterior design. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with details from NASA’s statement.
Public Companies: NASA (N/A), SpaceX (N/A)
Key People:

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: NASA’s Artemis missions and SpaceX’s Starship development
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a milestone in the development of SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket, which is related to NASA’s Artemis missions. This has financial relevance as it involves a significant space company (SpaceX) and impacts future space exploration projects that may have potential financial implications for both companies involved and the broader space industry.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: Aerospace
Direction: Up
Magnitude: Small
Affected Instruments: Stocks

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