SpaceX test fires powerful Super Heavy booster

SpaceX is a big step closer to sending its giant Starship spacecraft into orbit, completing an engine-firing test at the launch pad on Thursday. Thirty-one of the 33 first-stage booster engines ignited for about 10 seconds in south Texas.

The team turned off one engine before sending the firing command and another engine shut down _ "but still enough engines to reach orbit!" tweeted SpaceX's Elon Musk.Musk estimates Starship's first orbital test flight could occur as soon as March, if testing goes well. The booster remained anchored to the pad as planned during the test. There were no signs of major damage to the launch tower.