SpaceX has test fired the alpha rocket engine designed for its Starship mission . Three Raptors will be fixed to a launcher for low altitude tests later in 2019 ; the final version of the rocket will have seven of the engines with a further four on a booster . SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he wanted the Starship to reach the moon with paying passengers , that the Raptors had been “ radically modified ” and used methane and liquid nitrogen .
SpaceX has test fired the updated Raptor engine designed for its Starship rocket. Three Raptors will be fixed to a Starship for low altitude tests later in 2019; the final version of the rocket will have seven of the engines with a further 31 on a booster. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he wanted the Starship to reach the moon with paying passengers, that the Raptors had been “radically redesigned” and used methane and liquid oxygen.