# SN8

> Starship prototype spacecraft, lost in a test flight

**Wikidata**: [Q123464333](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123464333)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_SN8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sn8

## Summary
SN8 (also known as Starship SN8) was a prototype spacecraft for the Starship program, manufactured and operated by SpaceX in the United States. It is classified as a former entity that was lost during a test flight on December 9, 2020. The vehicle served as a developmental step in the Starship program, succeeded immediately by the SN9 prototype.

## Key Facts
- **Class/Type:** Starship prototype spacecraft; classified as a "former entity."
- **Operator & Manufacturer:** SpaceX.
- **Serial Number:** 8.
- **First Flight:** December 9, 2020, at 22:45.
- **Dissolution Date:** December 9, 2020, at 22:52 (lost in test flight).
- **Location:** Launched from and destined for Starbase Launch Site, United States.
- **Succession:** Followed by SN9.
- **Aliases:** Starship SN8, S8, Starship 8, Ship 8.

## FAQs
### Q: What was SN8?
A: SN8 was a prototype spacecraft built by SpaceX as part of the development of the Starship reusable launch system. It was the eighth serial iteration of the test program.

### Q: When did SN8 fly and how long did the flight last?
A: SN8 conducted its first and only flight on December 9, 2020, launching at 22:45. The flight ended approximately seven minutes later when the craft was lost at 22:52.

### Q: What happened to SN8?
A: SN8 was lost during a test flight upon attempting to land at the Starbase Launch Site. It is classified as a "former entity" following this event.

## Why It Matters
SN8 represents a critical phase in SpaceX's iterative development strategy for the Starship launch system. As a "former entity" lost during testing, it provided essential data for the engineering of subsequent vehicles. The explicit listing of "Starship" as a class and the succession by "SN9" highlight the rapid prototyping cadence employed by the manufacturer. Operating out of the Starbase Launch Site, SN8 served as a test article to validate the flight characteristics of the Starship airframe, contributing to the lineage of reusable spacecraft designed to follow it. Its destruction (dissolution) shortly after launch underscores the high-risk nature of aerospace development and the specific testing methodology of creating "Starship prototype spacecraft" that are frequently succeeded by new iterations.

## Notable For
- Being an early **Starship prototype** (Serial Number 8) manufactured by SpaceX.
- A **flight duration of approximately 7 minutes** (22:45 launch to 22:52 dissolution) during its sole test.
- Operating as a **test article** at the Starbase Launch Site in the United States.
- Being **lost during a test flight**, resulting in its status as a "former entity."
- Being the direct predecessor to **SN9**.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
SN8 is identified as a "Starship prototype spacecraft" and an "instance of" the Starship class. It is associated with the manufacturer and operator **SpaceX**. The vehicle is also referred to by the aliases **Starship SN8**, **S8**, **Starship 8**, and **Ship 8**. It originated in the **United States**.

### Operational Timeline
The spacecraft's operational life was concise, occurring entirely on **December 9, 2020**.
- **First Flight:** The vehicle initiated its flight at **22:45**.
- **Dissolution:** The craft was lost roughly seven minutes later at **22:52**, categorized as "dissolved, abolished or demolished."

### Location and Trajectory
The mission profile for SN8 was centered on the **Starbase Launch Site**. This location served as both the **start point** and the **destination point** for the test flight.

### Sequence and Context
SN8 was part of a continuous development chain. It was **followed by** the **SN9** prototype, which is similarly described as a "Starship prototype spacecraft, lost in a test flight." The broader context relates SN8 to the **Starship** class of reusable spacecraft.