Author Topic: SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virigin Galactic and other Private Space Companies Thread (Read 93723 times)

Elderberry · « **Reply #825 on:** October 25, 2021, 10:36:47 am »

S20 SF Seismic Activity

Seismic data for the first two static fires of S20.

Elderberry · « **Reply #826 on:** November 13, 2021, 12:54:13 am »

Starship Prototype Ship 20 Conducts First Ever Six Engine Static Fire

NASASpaceflight 11/12/2021

Starship prototype Ship 20 is conducting engine testing of its Raptor engines. Exact test details are unconfirmed, but it will potentially include preburner and/or static fire testing. All six engines are currently installed on the vehicle, so there is the possibility of the first static fire test with all six Raptors.

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Pre-burner test @ 1:44:45, Static Fire @ 2:37:28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ja43uGrdQ

Elderberry · « **Reply #827 on:** November 13, 2021, 01:04:18 am »

SpaceX orbital launch on hold; Starship waits for FAA decision

My RGV By Steve Clark - The Brownsville Herald -November 12, 2021

https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/11/12/spacex-orbital-launch-on-hold-starship-waits-for-faa-decision/

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SpaceX founder and CEO tweeted last month that the company’s Starship-Super Heavy combination could be ready for its first orbital launch attempt from Boca Chica “if all goes well” and “pending regulatory approval.”

With 29 Raptor engines installed in the 230-foot-tall Super Heavy SN4 booster, successful static-fire engine tests conducted on the Starship SN20 prototype and substantial progress made on construction of SpaceX’s new orbital launch pad and launch tower at Boca Chica/Starbase, the rocket might be ready, though there’s no guarantee the Federal Aviation Administration is, plus it’s nearly mid-November.

The FAA hasn’t decided yet whether it will grant permission for an experimental orbital launch. In September the agency released the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the company’s proposed activities at Boca Chica. The FAA solicited public comments on the Draft PEA via two public hearings last month and comments submitted via mail and email. The comment period, which came to a close Nov. 1, generated significant feedback for and against the company’s plans.

The first orbital launch calls for the Super Heavy booster to separate from Starship a little over two minutes after launching from Boca Chica and splash down in the Gulf of Mexico some 20 miles offshore. Starship, powered by six Raptor engines and standing 165 feet tall , would make a “soft” powered landing in the Pacific Ocean about 60 miles north of Kauai, Hawaii, sinking inside the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, according to the FAA.

More at link.

Elderberry · « **Reply #828 on:** November 13, 2021, 12:26:35 pm »

Starship S20 Seismic Data

Seismic data for six raptor static fire.

Elderberry · « **Reply #829 on:** November 13, 2021, 12:38:22 pm »

Watch live as SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket and 53 Starlink satellites

Spaceflight Now

Watch live as Falcon 9 rocket carrying 53 satellites for SpaceX's Starlink broadband internet service counts down to launch. The mission, which was delayed from Friday due to weather, is set for launch at 7:19 a.m. EST (1219 GMT), and will be the first flight for SpaceX’s Starlink network to launch from Florida in nearly six months. It will be the ninth flight for the rocket's first stage booster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTpVhGkxYtE

DB · « **Reply #830 on:** November 13, 2021, 04:16:27 pm »

Are the towers around the launch pad for lightning protection?

Cyber Liberty · « **Reply #831 on:** November 13, 2021, 04:50:02 pm »

The video cut away from the booster landing, and it appears the telemetry stopped just before that. Did it crash?

ETA: Watch at 1:08:15.

Elderberry · « **Reply #832 on:** November 13, 2021, 05:43:50 pm »

Quote from: Cyber Liberty on November 13, 2021, 04:50:02 pm

The video cut away from the booster landing, and it appears the telemetry stopped just before that. Did it crash?

ETA: Watch at 1:08:15.

I've noticed that the video cuts out, right at touchdown, quite often, on the video taken from the landing vessel. It was stated in the audio stream that the booster landing was successful.

Elderberry · « **Reply #833 on:** November 13, 2021, 05:45:54 pm »

Quote from: DB on November 13, 2021, 04:16:27 pm

Are the towers around the launch pad for lightning protection?

Yep.

Elderberry · « **Reply #834 on:** November 13, 2021, 08:09:40 pm »

SpaceX launch starts deployment of new Starlink orbital shell

Spaceflight Now by Stephen Clark November 13, 2021

https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/11/13/spacex-launch-starts-deployment-of-new-starlink-orbital-shell/

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SpaceX shot 53 Starlink internet satellites into orbit on top of a Falcon 9 rocket Saturday from foggy Cape Canaveral, commencing a new phase of deploying the global broadband network with the first launch into a new “shell” some 335 miles above Earth.

The mission was the 31st Falcon 9 launch in two-and-a-half years dedicated to carrying satellites for the Starlink internet network, bringing the total number of Starlink spacecraft launched to 1,844.

The launch Saturday was the first to target a new orbital “shell” in SpaceX’s Starlink network at an inclination angle of 53.2 degrees to the equator.

Most of the Starlink satellites launched so far have deployed into a 341-mile-high (550-kilometer), 53-degree inclination orbit, the first of five orbital shells SpaceX plans to complete full deployment of the Starlink network. SpaceX finished launching satellites in that shell with a series of Starlink flights from Cape Canaveral from May 2019 through May of this year.

Since May, SpaceX has rushed to complete development of new inter-satellite laser terminals to put on all future Starlink satellites. The laser crosslinks, which have been tested on a handful of Starlink satellites on prior launches, will reduce the reliance of SpaceX’s internet network on ground stations.

“Inter-satellite laser communications means Starlink can carry data at speed of light in vacuum all around Earth before touching ground,” tweeted Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO. “Over time, some amount of communication can simply be from one user terminal to another without touching the internet.”

More at link.

Elderberry · « **Reply #835 on:** November 16, 2021, 02:23:04 am »

SpaceX orbital Starship launch debut officially slips to 2022 – but it’s not all bad news

TeslaRati By Eric Ralph 11/15/2021

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-orbital-launch-debut-early-2022/

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US government documentation suggests that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aims to complete an environmental review of SpaceX’s orbital Starship launch site no earlier than December 31st, 2021, precluding an orbital launch attempt this year.

In light of the FAA taking until September 2021 to publish the draft of that environmental assessment (EA), a major delay has been the expected outcome for months. The latest development finally makes that delay official, confirming that even in the new best-case scenario, SpaceX will be unable to conduct Starship’s first orbital launch before January 1st, 2022. But while that unfortunate confirmation comes as little surprise, it’s not all bad news.

The hard work by FAA, US Fish & Wildlife and Texas Parks & Wildlife is much appreciated, as well as the strong local support from Cameron County and Brownsville / South Padre!

t’s unclear how accurate the Federal Infrastructure Projects’ “Permitting Dashboard” actually is but the information displayed on the website is specific and detailed enough for it to be deemed trustworthy. If correct, it states that the FAA aims to complete SpaceX’s orbital Starship EA by December 31st. To an extent, that internal estimate relies on the optimistic assumption that the FAA will rule in SpaceX’s favor on the matter and issue either a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

Idiot · « **Reply #836 on:** November 16, 2021, 04:21:07 am »

Considering how much more work needs to be done on the ship and launch facility, early January would be perfect. I can't wait to see her fly.

Elderberry · « **Reply #837 on:** November 21, 2021, 02:47:00 am »

Rocket builder Astra reaches orbit for the first time

CNBC by Michael Sheetz 11/20/2021

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Key Points

•   Astra Space reached orbit for the first time with rocket LV0007 on Saturday.

•   “This is an incredibly hard thing to do,” Astra CEO Chris Kemp said on the company’s webcast.

•   Astra joins SpaceX, Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit in the group of U.S. companies that have reached orbit with a privately-funded rocket.

Astra Space reached orbit for the first time on Saturday with its rocket LV0007, joining a small group of privately-funded companies that have achieved the feat.

The company launched the rocket, which carried a test payload for the U.S. Space Force, from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. After getting off the ground cleanly, the rocket passed through each stage of the launch before reaching its target orbit about nine minutes later at an altitude of about 500 kilometers.

“This is an incredibly hard thing to do,” Astra CEO Chris Kemp said on the company’s webcast.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/20/rocket-builder-astra-reaches-orbit-for-the-first-time.html

Elderberry · « **Reply #838 on:** December 29, 2021, 02:36:17 am »

SpaceX Hits Hurdle in Bid for Texas Launch as FAA Delays Review

Bloomberg By Dana Hull 12/28/2021

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-28/faa-delays-environmental-review-for-spacex-s-starship-project

Quote

• U.S. regulator sets Feb. 28 target for Boca Chica decision
• SpaceX wants to launch Starship rocket project from Texas site

Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. suffered a blow to its goal of launching its massive Starship rocket from Boca Chica, Texas, early next year when U.S. regulators delayed a planned environmental review by two months, to Feb. 28.

The Federal Aviation Administration intended to release a final Programmatic Environmental Assessment by Dec. 31. But SpaceX, under the supervision of the FAA, is currently responding to more than 18,000 public comments, and the FAA is continuing consultation and coordination with other agencies.

Idiot · « **Reply #839 on:** December 29, 2021, 09:28:25 pm »

Quote from: Elderberry on December 29, 2021, 02:36:17 am

SpaceX Hits Hurdle in Bid for Texas Launch as FAA Delays Review

Bloomberg By Dana Hull 12/28/2021

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-28/faa-delays-environmental-review-for-spacex-s-starship-project

Geez....this pushes them at least into March. Gotta love this administration.....

Elderberry · « **Reply #840 on:** December 30, 2021, 12:58:54 am »

SpaceX Project’s FAA Review Delayed After Receiving 18,000 Comments

https://www.wsj.com/articles/spacex-projects-faa-review-delayed-after-receiving-18-000-comments-11640811325

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Federal regulators have delayed the release of an environmental review of SpaceX’s plan to launch a new rocket from Texas by two months. One of the reasons? Too many comments from the public.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it received more than 18,000 public messages on the project, causing it to push back the release of its environmental review from Dec. 31 to Feb. 28. The agency said SpaceX is working on responses to the comments.

In addition, the FAA said it is continuing its consultation and coordination with other agencies at the local, state and federal level.

How many of the comments came from Bezos?

Elderberry · « **Reply #841 on:** January 03, 2022, 01:00:35 am »

NSF Live: When will Starship and SLS launch? Recapping 2021 and looking ahead to 2022

NASASpaceflight

NSF Live is NASASpaceflight.com's weekly show covering the latest in spaceflight. It is broadcast live on Sundays at 3 pm Eastern. On each show, we rotate through various hosts and special guests.

Today's episode is hosted by Stephen Marr (Host and Photographer for NASASpaceflight.com), Ian Atkinson (Writer for NASASpaceflight.com), and Chris Gebhardt (Assistant Managing Editor at NASASpaceflight.com).

Additional coverage: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AsCjER7dck

Elderberry · « **Reply #842 on:** January 06, 2022, 01:32:09 am »

Mechazilla's Chopsticks Moved and Tested At Last | SpaceX Boca Chica

NASASpaceflight 1/5/2022

Work on the Orbital Launch Mount continued, movement of Mechazilla's Chopstick arms was finally tested, and crews worked on Booster 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MsI56HBRk

Elderberry · « **Reply #843 on:** January 09, 2022, 07:10:00 pm »

Ring Shaped UFO Spotted During SpaceX Launch. January 6, 2022

The Hidden Underbelly 2.0 1/6/2022

This ring shaped UFO showed up during the Falcon 9 launch at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While the rocket was over our Earth this object appeared and then they change cameras.
Source: SpaceX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXOBG23JLs0

Kamaji · « **Reply #844 on:** January 09, 2022, 07:15:41 pm »

Quote from: Elderberry on January 09, 2022, 07:10:00 pm

Ring Shaped UFO Spotted During SpaceX Launch. January 6, 2022

The Hidden Underbelly 2.0 1/6/2022

This ring shaped UFO showed up during the Falcon 9 launch at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While the rocket was over our Earth this object appeared and then they change cameras.
Source: SpaceX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXOBG23JLs0

All I see is some sort of an odd cloud formation forming. But I guess it's just me.

Elderberry · « **Reply #845 on:** January 09, 2022, 08:05:00 pm »

"SpaceX ... is currently drafting responses for the over 18,000 public comments."

arsTechnica by Eric Berger - 1/7/2022

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/rocket-report-faa-delays-texas-spaceport-review-sls-slips-to-late-spring/

FAA delays Texas spaceport decision for two months. Days before the end of 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration said it would require a 60-day extension to release a "Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment" for SpaceX's plan to launch Starships from near Boca Chica in South Texas. The FAA now plans to release the Final PEA on February 28, 2022, the agency says.

Scads and scads of comments ... "SpaceX, under the supervision of the FAA, is currently drafting responses for the over 18,000 public comments received on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment. SpaceX is also preparing the Final PEA for the FAA's review and acceptance," the agency said. The delay was needed to respond to the high volume of comments. (Submitted by Tfargo04)

Elderberry · « **Reply #846 on:** January 15, 2022, 01:29:09 am »

SpaceX Finally Tested UPGRADED Raptor Engine 2.0!

LIFT-OFF 1/14/2022

SpaceX Finally Tested UPGRADED Raptor Engine 2.0!
While it is not quite as successful as the first static fire campaign of a full-scale Raptor 1 engine, which survived several tests. The first Raptor 2 prototype’s early demise is still a routine part of engine development and is the start of a process that should ultimately produce a Super Heavy booster with 50% more thrust than the next most powerful rocket ever flown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SXbM1oe6JE

Elderberry · « **Reply #847 on:** January 19, 2022, 12:59:28 am »

Ep202 [Ad-Free] SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Booster 4 ready for final testing!

What about it!?

SpaceX Starship 20 and Super Heavy Booster 4 are supposed to go to orbit, but will they? Ship 22 and booster 7 are nearing completion and Mechazilla has… balls. Let’s do this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEP9aJ3Mcuc&t=23s

Elderberry · « **Reply #848 on:** January 20, 2022, 06:01:00 pm »

GSE-4 Pressured To Failure Rover2.0 Bathed In Liquid Nitrogen

LabPadre

01/18/2022 SpaceX at Starbase, Texas pressurizes GSE-4 to failure causing a massive liquid nitrogen spill that engulfed the launch facility and bathed Rover2.0 in a frozen cloud. It appears that the aft portion of the test article ruptured but can not tell if it ripped at the welds. You never know what's gonna happen at Starbase. Stay tuned for more of the unexpected!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Z21JnKHwY

Elderberry · « **Reply #849 on:** January 25, 2022, 11:52:48 pm »

SpaceX reveals plans for a second Starbase! What's needed to build 1000 Starships?

What about it!?

Today, I'm going to tackle a beast of a question! Let’s talk about the future of Starbase! What’s needed to build a rocket bigger than the Saturn V Moon rocket… 1000 times? Let’s do this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5ZWyjQPp4M