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Elon Musk Just Test-Fired a Rocket Engine to Bring People to Mars

Feb. 05, 2019
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2 min read
Elon Musk's The Boring Company Unveils Test Tunnel In California
Elon Musk Just Test-Fired a Rocket Engine to Bring People to Mars
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Humankind might have just gotten one step closer to visiting Mars.

SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace manufacturer and space tourism venture, just test-fired the flight version of its new Raptor rocket engine for the first time.

“First firing of Starship Raptor flight engine!” Musk said in his Tweet. “So proud of great work by @SpaceX team!!” The new raptor rocket engine will join SpaceX’s growing fleet, which includes Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon series of spacecraft.


Musk also tweeted out videos of the test, which shows the engine that will power Starship -- a stainless-steel space vehicle built that can carry up to 100 passengers -- in action. The test lasted for about three seconds and took place at the SpaceX development facility in McGregor, Texas on Sunday.

Aviation Week said the test fire was "a key step toward the start of flight tests of a multipurpose, interplanetary-class space transportation system." SpaceX plans to start low-altitude flight tests of a Starship prototype later this year at its site in Boca Chica, Texas.

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Starship will launch off the giant rocket, Super Heavy via Raptor power. SpaceX expects the duo will be able to take people and cargo to Mars, the moon and beyond. Starship will use seven of the methane-burning engines, and Super Heavy will use 31 Raptors to break the 62-mile barrier into space. Each Raptor engine provides 200 metric tons of force.

So, for those of you who want to get far, far away for your next vacation -- the wait to go to space seems to be shortening. As of now, SpaceX is aiming to fly passengers around the moon by 2023 and have flights to Mars by the mid-2020s. So far Japanese billionaire, Yusaku Maezawa, has already been announced as one of these lucky passengers planned to take the revolutionary trip.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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