The Briefing Room
General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Space => Topic started by: Elderberry on July 13, 2023, 07:57:04 pm
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Inside SpaceX’s upgraded Starship rocket
Fast Company By Jack Kuhr 7/12/2023
Elon Musk has said that Starship will be ready to fly again by August
Since Starship’s first orbital flight test nearly three months ago, SpaceX has been working around the clock modifying the rocket, rebuilding the launch pad, and defending itself against an environmental lawsuit as the launch giant prepares for its second orbital attempt.
Upgrades to Starship
SpaceX will be using Booster 9 and Starship 25 for its second OFT. Since the first flight, SpaceX has made 1,000-plus modifications to Starship, including significant adjustments to the thrust vector controls, staging, liftoff, and flight termination system.
Going electric: Booster 9 will employ electric thrust vector controls, replacing the hydraulic system. The central issue in the first flight was the cascading Raptor failures, where one malfunction triggered another. Electric controls allow the engines to be more isolated.
Hot staging: SpaceX will fire its upper stage engines before it shuts down all its booster engines. Hot staging ensures continuous thrust throughout the ascent, which is intended to increase payload capacity by 10%.
• SpaceX will avoid damage to the booster by increasing shielding and adding a venting ring between the two stages.
More: https://www.fastcompany.com/90922324/inside-spacexs-upgraded-starship-rocket (https://www.fastcompany.com/90922324/inside-spacexs-upgraded-starship-rocket)
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Mind-Blowing Transformation at the SpaceX Starship Launch Site!
Marcus House Jul 8, 2023
The progress with the water deluge system this week has been crazy. Catching up on the many colossal pars being placed because it is a Mind-Blowing Transformation at the SpaceX Starship Launch Site! It really has been a rapid rush of action. SpaceX shoots its first ever mission destined for Lagrange Point 2. The Euclid mission was a total spectacle, but will it finally shed some light onto dark matter? We discover a big scientific splash thanks to gravitational waves. Ingenuity is still alive on Mars, and much more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=740TF0k1V1E&t=3s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=740TF0k1V1E&t=3s)
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SpaceX Conducts Massive Water Deluge System Purge - Starbase Weekly Update #71
LabPadre Jul 16, 2023
This week at Starbase work continues on the new Mega Bay and Starfactory expansion, the water deluge system is quickly coming together, and we review the latest batch of Starbase flyover photos, while over at Cape Canaveral, in what is otherwise a relatively quiet week, we can always count on another Starlink launch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw95QVHHcrY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw95QVHHcrY)
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SpaceX rolls Starship Super Heavy booster back to the pad ahead of next launch
Space.com By Josh Dinner 7/21/2023
Starship's next liftoff could take place before the end of summer.
SpaceX just moved the newest prototype of its huge Starship Super Heavy booster to the launch pad for testing ahead of liftoff.
The rocket, known as Booster 9, is the first to return to the orbital launch mount at Starbase, SpaceX's South Texas facility, since Starship's first fully stacked liftoff on April 20.
Since then, SpaceX has been busy repairing and upgrading the launch pad, including adding a steel plate meant to help protect the pad during liftoff. The company now seems confident in moving ahead with next steps toward another orbital launch attempt.
SpaceX tweeted photos of Super Heavy Booster 9's roll to the launch pad on Thursday (July 20) and said the rocket would be undergoing testing leading up to Starship's next test flight.
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wtUiQtTMuaqbPnhs7j6azP-970-80.jpeg.webp)
SpaceX transported the Super Heavy prototype known as Booster 9 to its orbital launch pad on July 20, 2023. (Image credit: SpaceX)
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CRXXekgtCUU5mjR4naa6zN-970-80.jpeg)
Super Heavy Booster 9 could launch by the end of the summer, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has said. (Image credit: SpaceX)
More: https://www.space.com/starship-super-heavy-rollout-photos-july-2023 (https://www.space.com/starship-super-heavy-rollout-photos-july-2023)
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SpaceX completes propellant load tests of Starship Super Heavy Booster 9 & Booster 10
Tesmanian By Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo Jul 24, 2023
On July 24, SpaceX shared it completed “propellant load tests” of two Starship Super Heavy rocket prototypes, identified as Booster 9 and Booster 10. The rockets are undergoing pre-flight testing to attempt to propel Starship to orbit sometime this year during the second ever fully-integrated test flight. The booster is equipped with 33 Raptor V2 engines which are fueled by a combination of cryogenic liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX), also known as ‘Methalox.’
A "propellant load test" is a crucial step in the development and testing process of the stainless-steel rocket. During this test, the rocket's tanks were filled with the propellants that it will use during its flight. The purpose of the propellant load test is to verify and validate the performance and integrity of the rocket's propellant system. It helps to ensure that the tanks, valves, pumps, and other components involved in the propellant handling process function correctly and can handle the extreme conditions encountered during liftoff and flight.
By loading the propellants into the rocket and simulating the conditions of an actual launch, SpaceX can assess various factors, including:
• Propellant loading procedure: Checking that the propellants can be safely and efficiently loaded into the rocket without any leaks or other issues.
• Pressure and temperature control: Ensuring that the propellants remain within the required pressure and temperature ranges throughout the loading process.
• Cryogenic handling: Verifying that the rocket's structures can withstand the extremely cold temperatures of cryogenic propellants without becoming brittle or compromised.
• Flow and distribution: Confirming that the propellants flow through the rocket's systems as expected, reaching the engines at the correct rate and distribution.
• Safety mechanisms: Evaluating the effectiveness of safety mechanisms to handle any unexpected situations during the propellant loading process.
• Overall system performance: Assessing the rocket's behavior and technologies under operational conditions and identifying any potential issues that need to be addressed before actual flights.
The successful completion of a propellant load test is a significant milestone in the development of a rocket, as it indicates that the rocket's propellant systems have been thoroughly tested and are ready for the next phases of testing, which will include static-fire tests during which actual engine ignitions take place while the booster remains grounded.
More:https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/booster-9-10 (https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/booster-9-10)
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What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
Here’s @SpaceX’s extremely interesting Starship Deluge Plate test video. 💦
You can see the layout of the holes. The middle builds a shield of water going outward, while the outside just pushes up, likely to work against the outer ring of boost engines.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1685254523885961216 (https://twitter.com/i/status/1685254523885961216)
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Here we go! Bring on the Fire and Water!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1688009754721787904 (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1688009754721787904)
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Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
Static fire Sunday! (Yes they can close the road 5 times a year on the weekend). This will be the first static fire using the new water deluge. Can’t wait to see how it holds up!
@considercosmos
will be filming the goods in slow motion, stand by!
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SpaceX Booster 9 Raptor Engine Static Fire
NASASpaceflight
SpaceX is conducting a static fire of up to 33 engines on Booster 9 in Boca Chica, Texas. A road closure was scheduled from 8am CDT to 8pm CDT. The road was closed earlier, and the pad is clear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFKKFt1CQW0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFKKFt1CQW0)
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Did the Deluge Work? SpaceX Booster 9 Static Fire - Starship Super Heavy
NASASpaceflight Aug 6, 2023 STARBASE
SpaceX conducted a Static Fire of Booster 9.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-zgmwCyLmk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-zgmwCyLmk)
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What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
SpaceX has become incredibly generous with footage! This is amazing!!!
We'll do an in-depth analysis of today's static fire right now! Release on Tuesday!
https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1688319747509612544 (https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1688319747509612544)
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SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy Booster 9 Completes Raptors Ignition Test, Uses Newly Installed Water Deluge System
TESMANIAN by Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo 8/6/2023
In a significant step towards achieving its ambitious spaceflight goals, SpaceX conducted a static test of its Starship Super Heavy Booster 9 on August 6 at the Starbase site in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. The test, aimed at evaluating the performance of the liquid methane-fueled Raptor rocket engines, experienced a minor setback when four out of the 33 Raptor engines shut down prematurely. Despite this glitch, the test marked a successful milestone for SpaceX.
The Booster 9 prototype, representing the first stage of the Starship system, was securely anchored to the orbital launch mount during the test. The engines roared to life, with the fiery ignition lasting around 2.74 seconds, shorter than the anticipated "just under five seconds," said SpaceX representatives, who provided real-time commentary during a livestream of the testing operation.
Though four engines shut down prematurely, SpaceX broadcast commentator John Insprucker said they consider this a productive test overall, with 29 engines performing admirably. He also conveyed congratulations to the Starship team for their dedication and effort in advancing the project. The test not only validated critical engine performance but also demonstrated the structural integrity of Booster 9 and the launch mount. The company shared a video clip of the static-fire test, linked below. One noteworthy aspect of the test was the use of a new steel water deluge system designed to mitigate potential damage caused by the powerful engines. This system was implemented following the previous fully-integrated test flight of the Starship vehicle on April 20, which resulted in significant damage underneath the launch mount and an explosion over the Gulf of Mexico. The newly installed water-cooled metal plate beneath the launch pad pedestal successfully safeguarded the infrastructure during the recent test.
Despite the technical progress, SpaceX is facing challenges beyond the engineering realm. A coalition of environmental and Indigenous groups is pursuing legal action against the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which granted launch licenses for Starship missions from the Starbase site. The lawsuit alleges inadequate assessment of potential environmental impacts in the South Texas region, urging a more comprehensive review before future Starship launches can proceed.
More: https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/static-testing (https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/static-testing)
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What SpaceX Just Did At Starbase Shock NASA Artemis Team!
LIFT-OFF Aug 12, 2023
#space #starbase #spacex
What SpaceX Just Did At Starbase Shock NASA Artemis Team!
In this video, we delve deep into the groundbreaking activities SpaceX recently undertook at their renowned Starbase facility. The advancements and innovations presented by SpaceX not only captured the attention of space enthusiasts worldwide but also left NASA's esteemed Artemis Team astounded. As the leading voice in space exploration, SpaceX's endeavors in Starbase highlight their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From revolutionary rocket designs to intricate launch methodologies, SpaceX's actions provide a glimpse into the future of interstellar travel. Viewers will get an exclusive look at the details of what exactly transpired at Starbase, and how these pioneering efforts could potentially reshape our understanding of space missions. Stay with us to uncover the nuances, the challenges faced, and the milestones achieved by SpaceX that have set new precedents in the realm of space exploration. It's not just about reaching the stars; it's about changing how we get there. Don't miss out on understanding why NASA's Artemis Team was truly taken aback by SpaceX's groundbreaking achievements.
On Lift Off we will go through the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. Stay tuned for the latest space news, discoveries, and launches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACzZkLccEAA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACzZkLccEAA)
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SpaceX submits Starship mishap report to the FAA
Space.com By Mike Wall 8/16/2023
The agency is reviewing the report now.
SpaceX has submitted to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) its final report about the debut launch of its Starship vehicle, which ended with a bang four minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX soon initiated a mishap investigation — overseen by the FAA, which issues launch licenses — to determine exactly what happened on April 20 and what steps to take to boost the chances of a more successful outcome in the future.
Elon Musk's company has now filed that report, as Payload noted yesterday (Aug. 15). But that doesn't mean Starship has been cleared to fly again.
"SpaceX has submitted its final mishap investigation report to the FAA for review. That review is ongoing," FAA officials said in an emailed statement to Space.com.
"When a final mishap report is approved, it will identify the corrective actions SpaceX must make," the statement added. "Separately, SpaceX must modify its license to incorporate those actions before receiving authorization to launch again."
More: https://www.space.com/spacex-submits-starship-mishap-report-faa (https://www.space.com/spacex-submits-starship-mishap-report-faa)
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What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
Starship Integrated Flight Test 2 is scheduled for liftoff on August 31st at the earliest! 🚨
A notice for local mariners has been officially released, warning about an upcoming rocket launch in the vicinity of Brownsville, TX on 31st of August! Finally! 🚀
9:22 AM · Aug 16, 2023
What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
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Aug 16
To make it very clear: This does NOT mean that we’re going to see a launch on August 31st. This means that SpaceX has asked for a notice to be given out for a possible launch date. The rest is up to all sorts of things that still need to happen.
https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1691817783711941069 (https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1691817783711941069)
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What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
Starship Integrated Flight Test 2 is scheduled for liftoff on August 31st at the earliest! 🚨
A notice for local mariners has been officially released, warning about an upcoming rocket launch in the vicinity of Brownsville, TX on 31st of August! Finally! 🚀
9:22 AM · Aug 16, 2023
What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
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Aug 16
To make it very clear: This does NOT mean that we’re going to see a launch on August 31st. This means that SpaceX has asked for a notice to be given out for a possible launch date. The rest is up to all sorts of things that still need to happen.
https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1691817783711941069 (https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1691817783711941069)
Oh boy!!! I can't wait!
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What SpaceX has to do to convince the FAA to let Starship fly
Quartz By Tim Fernholz 8/22/2023
Inside Elon Musk's fraught relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration
Elon Musk doesn’t like being told what to do. That’s, in part, why he decided that his company SpaceX would build its own launch site on private land in Texas as an alternative to the pads he leases from the US government.
Eight years after breaking ground on a spaceport at Boca Chica, the company has only made one attempt at flying a rocket to orbit from there. In April, the first flight of Starship, the company’s massive new launch vehicle, failed—not unusual for young rockets. But the system designed to destroy the rocket in the event of an emergency didn’t behave the way the company expected, either. The launch pad itself, tested for the first time by 33 powerful rocket engines firing at once, dissolved, pelting the area surrounding the pad with chunks of rock. Sand was hurled into the air and rained down on communities six miles away from the launch site.
Shortly thereafter, Musk said he expected to fly the rocket again in about eight weeks. He said so again in June. Now, four months since the launch attempt, the company is still working to regain its launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates commercial spaceflight in the US. Last week, SpaceX submitted a final report on the incident to the agency, which will need to approve its conclusions; then, SpaceX will need to take corrective actions and have its launch license modified to reflect them.
“SpaceX must submit updated information before its license can be modified or more flights added,” an FAA spokesperson told Quartz. “The update must include corrective actions identified in the mishap investigation report and any other changes material to public health and safety and the safety of property. The FAA will evaluate the new material and ensure it complies with all regulatory requirements prior to modifying the license to authorize future launch operations.”
Nonetheless, the US Coast Guard has issued a warning to mariners that rocket launches could take place off the coast of Boca Chica as soon as Aug. 31. While such notifications are routine and don’t guarantee a launch will take place, the announcement suggests SpaceX is confident it can win over the agency in the next 10 days. (SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.)
To do so, the company will need to make progress on a number of issues, but two stand out as potential safety risks that the FAA will scrutinize closely. One is the self-destruct system, and the other is the new infrastructure to ensure the violent energies of the world’s most powerful rocket can be contained.
How to build a spaceport from scratch
When SpaceX started building out its first launch site in the territorial US, the company hired Brian Mosdell for the job. An aerospace engineer, Mosdell had worked on rocket programs at Boeing and United Launch Alliance before joining up with SpaceX. His main task was converting a launch site leased from the US Air Force at Cape Canaveral to suit a modern rocket, the Falcon 9, by building out the infrastructure and ensuring it met regulatory requirements.
After years in staid traditional aerospace, Mosdell enjoyed SpaceX’s culture of aggressive problem solving. His team refurbished old propellant tanks and air compressors to keep costs down, and worked 80-hour weeks to get the pad ready for the rocket. He wound up working on seven Falcon 9 launches before leaving the company in 2014. Now, he advises rocket companies setting up new launch sites.
More: https://qz.com/spacex-convince-faa-launch-starship-rocket-in-texas-1850758869 (https://qz.com/spacex-convince-faa-launch-starship-rocket-in-texas-1850758869)
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Starship Super Heavy Static Fire
Starship Super Heavy Static Fire
SpaceX
Streamed live 4 hours ago
Live views of Starship Super Heavy Booster 9's second static fire. Stream will begin a few minutes before ignition.
https://youtu.be/ENxZS6PUDuI?t=448 (https://youtu.be/ENxZS6PUDuI?t=448)
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SpaceX stacks Ship 25 and Booster 9, prepares for flight
NASA Spaceflight by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera September 6, 2023
(https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jack-S25B9-full-stack-photo-Sept-6th-scaled.jpg)
SpaceX has rolled out Ship 25 to the launch site and stacked it on top of Super Heavy Booster 9, bringing back a fully stacked Starship rocket to Starbase since April 20.
Several important additions have been made to Ship 25 ahead of this stacking and should make the vehicle ready for flight. SpaceX now eyes the last few days of preparations ahead of Starship’s second test flight, pending regulatory approval.
Ship 25 receives upgrades, gets stacked on Booster 9
Ship 25 stayed at Starbase’s Rocket Garden for the last month, having been rolled back from the launch site on August 5th.
Since then, the vehicle has not only undergone final preparations for flight with the addition of thermal protection system (TPS) tiles to its nosecone and the addition of its new livery but has also seen another number of changes as well.
Its lengthy stay and slow installation of TPS tiles indicated that there was more work to do than originally believed. Closeup pictures of the leeward side of the ship show that SpaceX has been very busy introducing a series of last-minute changes to the latest Starship prototype.
One of these upgrades involves the addition of extra charges for the vehicle’s flight termination system (FTS). During the first flight of Starship, the automated FTS on both stages was triggered after the rocket lost control and veered off course.
However, as stated by CEO Elon Musk a few days after launch, the charges were not powerful enough to break each stage apart as they were supposed to. This new upgrade was already implemented on Booster 9 a few months ago, and it is hoped that by adding extra explosive charges on each vehicle, these will indeed break apart if this system needs to activate during flight.
More: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/s25b9firststack/ (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/s25b9firststack/)
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SpaceX is not yet cleared for another Starship Super Heavy test flight, FAA says
CNBC by Lora Kolodny 9/6/2023
Key Points
• The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that SpaceX is not yet clear for another test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle.
• Following a Starship Super Heavy explosion in April 2023, the FAA is conducting a mishap investigation, a standard practice after a “launch anomaly” of such magnitude.
• SpaceX will not be authorized to test its 400-foot-tall rocket again until that investigation is complete, and the company takes required corrective actions as determined by the FAA.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday that SpaceX is not yet clear for another test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had claimed Tuesday, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) which he now owns, that “Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval.”
However, his aerospace and defense company hasn’t met the FAA’s requirements to be able to fly again after an explosion in April 2023 during the first test flight of this vehicle.
The first Starship launch saw the nearly 400-foot-tall rocket fly for more than three minutes — but it lost multiple engines, caused severe damage to the ground infrastructure and failed to reach space after the rocket began to tumble and was intentionally destroyed in the air.
The mishap left a crater in the ground, flung concrete chunks into nearby tanks and other equipment, and impacted sensitive habitat that is home to some endangered wildlife. It also sparked an approximately 4-acre fire on state park land.
More: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/07/spacex-not-yet-cleared-for-second-starship-super-heavy-test-flight-faa-says.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/07/spacex-not-yet-cleared-for-second-starship-super-heavy-test-flight-faa-says.html)
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This is what happens since Biden doesn't like Musk. No telling how long they'll make Spacex wait.
Well they can just forget about having the lunar lander version of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle ready in time for the Artemis 3 mission in late 2025.
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Well they can just forget about having the lunar lander version of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle ready in time for the Artemis 3 mission in late 2025.
and pump bbillion into other providers who aren't ready but may be more amenable to doing bid'ness.
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FAA orders Musk’s SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions on Starship, keeps rocket grounded
CNBC by Lora Kolodny 9/8/2023
Key Points
• The Federal Aviation Administration said Elon Musk’s SpaceX must keep its Starship Super Heavy rocket grounded.
• The federal agency had been probing the April launch, which saw SpaceX’s Starship explode in mid-flight.
• The FAA called for SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions before it launches another Starship test flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday said Elon Musk’s SpaceX must keep its Starship Super Heavy rocket grounded, saying the company needs to take 63 corrective actions before it is cleared for another test flight.
The FAA has now wrapped its probe into the April launch, which saw the rocket explode mid-flight.
SpaceX CEO Musk had claimed Tuesday, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) which he now owns, that “Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval.”
In an emailed statement, the agency said a final report “cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023, mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent mishap reoccurrence.”
More: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/08/faa-starship-grounded-corrective-action.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/08/faa-starship-grounded-corrective-action.html)
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What a joke...
It isn't a joke, it's paybacks for exposing their bullshit censoring social media.
Besides, their contractors have more of a chance to catch up.
If Elon and Space X can accomplish so much so efficiently in so little time, it makes the whole NASA shebang look bad.
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:bkmk:
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SpaceX releases Starship test flight update
What went wrong?
The first issue SpaceX noted in their website’s update is that propellant had been leaking from the aft end of the booster. The leak resulted in fires that severed the connection between the engines and the vehicle’s flight computer. This means that the vehicle had no way to control the engines or use their ability to be angled (known as a gimbal) to adjust the vehicle’s position. The loss of control of the booster’s engines led to the loss of control of the vehicle.
SpaceX also reported that the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS), an onboard computer that manages the Flight Termination System (FTS), did activate when the vehicle began to tumble and drift off of its planned course. SpaceX noted the time between activation of the FTS and the vehicle’s break up as an “unexpected delay”.
What Did SpaceX Say They Did To Fix This?
To prevent leaks on future flights, such as on the upcoming flight of Ship 25 and Booster 9, SpaceX has implemented ‘leak mitigations’ and has improved testing measures. SpaceX has also expanded the fire mitigation hardware present on the Super Heavy booster. Together these efforts aim to hopefully prevent the fires we saw on Starship’s first launch attempt.
A short list of other fixes that have been reported as implemented ahead of the next flight of Starship is below:
• Use of a ‘hot staging’ system between Starship and its Super Heavy booster, whereby Starship will fire its engines while attached to Super Heavy and push itself off of Super Heavy.
• The use of an electronic Thrust Vector Control system instead of the previous hydraulic system. This should have better reliability and resilience. Notable for having fewer failure points and requiring less power than a hydraulic system.
• Improvements and upgrades to the launch mount, which previously resulted in a crater when Starship launched previously. Work has been ongoing for several months since and recent static fires have not resulted in any significant pad damage since.
More: https://spaceexplored.com/2023/09/09/spacex-releases-starship-test-flight-update/ (https://spaceexplored.com/2023/09/09/spacex-releases-starship-test-flight-update/)
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Next Flight of the Giant SpaceX Starship Draws Closer
CNET by Eric Mack 9/11/2023
Elon Musk says his Mars rocket prototype is ready to launch.
The Federal Aviation Administration came one step closer on Friday to giving SpaceX's Starship the green light to launch again, but says it needs to see dozens of improvements first. SpaceX founder Elon Musk says most of those changes are done and he's ready to blast off.
The FAA announced it has closed its investigation into the "mishap" ending of Starship's first orbital flight attempt on April 20. That test ended with the vehicle being intentionally destroyed after the first stage Super Heavy booster failed to separate from the main Starship itself.
The agency that oversees commercial spaceflight in the US sent a letter to SpaceX outlining a list of 63 corrective actions to be taken before a launch license will be issued for the next Starship orbital flight attempt.
To be clear, the list of changes was developed in cooperation with SpaceX engineers and approved by the FAA. The way the process actually works is that SpaceX determines what it thinks caused the mishap and submits a report, including corrective actions, to the FAA. That report was submitted Aug. 21. As part of its side of the investigation, the FAA reviewed that report and sent over a final list of required changes to SpaceX last week.
"Corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems," the FAA said in a statement.
More: https://www.cnet.com/science/space/next-flight-of-the-giant-spacex-starship-is-drawing-closer/ (https://www.cnet.com/science/space/next-flight-of-the-giant-spacex-starship-is-drawing-closer/)
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Starship rocket launch window revealed by FAA
SpaceX ‘ready to launch’ biggest rocket ever built, Elon Musk says
Regulators have revealed when they expect to approve a launch license to SpaceX for the next major flight test of its Starship rocket.
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) commercial space division said a mishap investigation from the last test in April had been concluded and a license would likely be granted “somewhere in mid to late October”, assuming SpaceX make the necessary changes.
More: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/starship-launch-date-spacex-faa-b2415048.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/space/starship-launch-date-spacex-faa-b2415048.html)
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SpaceX awaits Starship launch approval as U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has yet to complete Environmental Impact Investigation
https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/wildlife-approval (https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/wildlife-approval)
TESMANIAN By Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo 9/21/23
SpaceX is ready to launch the second fully-integrated Starship Super Heavy, however, the company is still pending a spaceflight license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In order to receive launch approval, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must complete their investigation into the environmental impact of the Starbase launch operations. FWS has yet to begin the review process which could potentially take months to complete which may delay the next flight attempt to orbit. The timeline for the FWS investigation varies widely, estimated to be between 30 to 135 days, depending on the complexity of the task.
The Starship, which currently stands ready on its launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, has garnered widespread attention for its potential to revolutionize space travel and space enthusiasts from around the world are eagerly waiting for SpaceX to launch Starship to orbit. NASA also depends on SpaceX to speed up its Starship development operations because the company has been paid to develop a lunar-optimized version of Starship, called Human Landing System (HLS), to return astronauts to the Moon by 2025.
Recently, FAA representatives expressed optimism about completing the safety review of the license application by the end of October. SpaceX founder Elon Musk shared on September 10 that Starbase teams had completed 57 “corrective actions” required by the FAA for Flight 2 of Starship. The corrective actions include improvements in various aspects of the launch system from structural enhancements to safety measures, including the integration of a steel water deluge system at the Starbase launch tower, as previously reported by TESMANIAN. However, SpaceX's modifications to the Starship program are subject to an additional environmental review process. As part of this process, the FAA submitted a draft update of the Biological Assessment to the US Fish & Wildlife Service for review and requested consultation under the Endangered Species Act in August. In an email FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project representatives stated: "SpaceX conducted a test flight of the Starship/Super Heavy at Boca Chica, TX on April 20, 2023. As a result of that launch, SpaceX completed a mishap investigation with FAA oversight; this investigation analyzed the launch, mishap events, and corrective actions. Before it is authorized to conduct a second Starship/Super Heavy launch, SpaceX must obtain a modified license from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements. As part of that license application determination process, the FAA will review new environmental information, including changes related to the launch pad, as well as other proposed vehicle and flight modifications. The FAA will complete a Written Reevaluation (WR) to the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) evaluating the new environmental information, including Endangered Species Act consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the FAA determines through the WR process that the contents of the PEA do not remain valid in light of the changes proposed for Flight 2, additional environmental review will be required. Accordingly, the FAA has not authorized SpaceX’s proposed Flight 2."
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Is The FAA Going To Stop SpaceX Starship Development? Starship Launch Date Update!
What about it!?
Starship hot staging ring removed, but why? What happened to this test tank? SpaceX hits another massive milestone, and Varda Space is blocked by the FAA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXtr-R68AvY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXtr-R68AvY)
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SpaceX battles regulatory process that could hold up Starship test flight for months
Spaceflight Now by Will Robinson-Smith October 18, 2023
SpaceX leadership is heading to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby for greater efficiency when it comes regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company is hoping to streamline the process of issuing launch licenses for both Starship test flights and more routine Falcon 9 rocket missions.
Ahead of the hearing before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told Spaceflight Now its regulatory approval process for the second Starship test flight could potentially last until the spring of 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, a FWS spokesperson said their agency received a final biological assessment from the FAA Oct. 5 and FWS has up to 30 days to review it. This came after the FAA sent FWS a letter in August, which requested “reinitiation of Endangered Species Act consultation.”
“Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, reinitiation of formal consultation is required when a project and its impacts change significantly, the amount of take issued previously is exceeded, we have new information on listed species not previously considered, or a new species is listed,” the spokesperson said. “Reinitiation involving major changes in effects analysis or changes in the [FWS’] biological opinion are addressed fully in a new consultation. For SpaceX reinitiation with FAA, we are considering the operation of a water deluge system.”
That new deluge system was part of a list of 63 corrective actions created as part of the SpaceX-led mishap investigation following the failed launch of the first integrated flight test on April 20, 2023.
More: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/ (https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/)
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SpaceX slams regulatory ‘headwinds’ for holding up Starship, risking US dominance in space
CNN by Jackie Wattles and Kristin Fisher 10/18/2023
A top SpaceX executive is accusing government regulators of stifling the company’s progress on its Starship megarocket — potentially opening the door for China to beat US astronauts back to the moon.
William Gerstenmaier — SpaceX’s vice president for build and reliability who previously served as NASA’s associate administrator for human exploration — delivered the warning Wednesday to the Senate subcommittee on space and science at a hearing on commercial space regulations.
The remarks come as SpaceX is facing an environmental review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and a safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration of plans to launch its massive moon rocket again at the company’s facility in South Texas.
Starship — the rocket and spacecraft system the company is developing in part to land astronauts on the moon for NASA’s Artemis program — exploded after its first test flight in Texas earlier this year.
“It’s a shame when our hardware is ready to fly, and we’re not able to go fly because of regulations or review,” Gerstenmaier said, noting that SpaceX has been ready for a month to launch the next Starship test flight. “Licensing, including environmental (review), often takes longer than rocket development. This should never happen. And it’s only getting worse.”
He also claimed the regulatory delays have “nothing to do with public safety.”
Race to the moon
Gerstenmaier said the discussions about the regulatory environment are critical “in the face of strategic competition from state actors like China.”
“These delays may seem small in the big scheme of things but…. delays in each and every test flight adds up. And eventually we will lose our lead and we will see China land on the moon before we do,” Gerstenmaier said.
The FAA, which was not represented at the hearing, said in a statement Wednesday, “Keeping pace with industry demand is a priority and is important for several reasons, including meeting our national security and civil exploration needs.”
More: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html)
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Starship Delay: Watch SpaceX VP's Chilling Reply to Sen.Cruz at Congress Hearing on Commercial Space
SpaceXtudio
Senator Ted Cruz interviewed William Gerstenmaier, Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX, on the challenges of commercial space activities, including regulatory approval.
Cruz asked Gerstenmaier about the reliability of flight-proven vehicles and hardware. Gerstenmaier said that flight-proven vehicles are more reliable because they have been tested in flight and any problems have been fixed.
Cruz then asked Gerstenmaier about the delays in SpaceX's second Starship launch due to the Fish and Wildlife Service's environmental review. Gerstenmaier said that the delays are a shame because SpaceX's hardware is ready to fly. He said that the pace of test flights should not be governed by regulation.
Cruz then asked Gerstenmaier when the HLS (Human Landing System) will be ready. Gerstenmaier said that it is hard to say because SpaceX needs to fly at the fastest pace and test the new technology. He said that the current pace of regulation is driving the development and that it should not be the case.
Cruz's final question was if the delays would be acceptable if Gerstenmaier was still at NASA. Gerstenmaier said that schedule delays like this would not be acceptable at NASA.
The conversation highlights the challenges that commercial space companies face in obtaining regulatory approval. It also shows the importance of flight testing in developing new technologies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGf5NFxotaU&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGf5NFxotaU&t=0s)
Starship Flight #2 May Never Happen This Year | Latest Updates on Starship Testing and FAA License
SpaceXtudio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRCImOTG2Oc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRCImOTG2Oc)
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Review of SpaceX Starship’s Water Deluge System Critical to Next Launch
An environmental review of Starship's water deluge system marks one of the final steps before tests of Elon Musk's big rocket can resume.
In the wake of an explosive debut in April, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a review of SpaceX’s Starship launch system upgrades, focusing primarily on the new water deluge system and its potential environmental impacts at the south Texas launch site.
SpaceX’s Starship, an integral part of Elon Musk’s ambitious space plans, has been ready for its second test flight for over a month, as company officials told the U.S. Subcommittee on Space and Science earlier this month. Ground teams even performed a full wet dress rehearsal earlier this week, despite the absence of a scheduled launch date. The megarocket is currently grounded, awaiting the completion of the launch licensing process.
A newly initiated FWS review represents one of the final regulatory hurdles SpaceX must clear before it can proceed with its flight plans. This review formally began on October 19 in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, according to an emailed FWS statement. The service needs to look at the potential environmental impacts and threats to endangered species in the sensitive Boca Chica region as a consequence of recent upgrades at SpaceX’s south Texas Starbase, particularly the newly installed water deluge system.
More: https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405 (https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405)
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LabPadre Space
@LabPadre
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Super Heavy battles the disturbance in the force as the wait continues. #SpaceX #Starbase #Starship
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-navtYWsAAGHQU?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
Assuming regulatory approval
Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval → http://spacex.com/launches
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1723158118706839819 (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1723158118706839819)
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LIVE! Starship IFT-2 Countdown + Updates
The Launch Pad
LIVE! Starship IFT-2 Countdown Status Board
#SpaceX #Starship #StarshipIFT2
SpaceX is targeting NET (No Earlier Than) November 13th for launch of Starship IFT-2
Stay tuned for the latest updates as we continue to countdown to the 2nd launch of Starship!
Vehicle Status is STACKED!
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SpaceX receives launch license for second integrated flight test of Starship
NASA Spaceflight by Adrian Beil November 15, 2023
SpaceX has received the modified license No. VOL 23-129 Rev. 1, which will allow them to fly its Starship-Super Heavy vehicle for the second time. This came shortly after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) confirmed the completion of their investigation into the new deluge system at the orbital launch site in Starbase.
FWS environmental investigation
On Oct. 19, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated an Endangered Species Act consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During this investigation, the agency had 135 days to issue an amended biological opinion. From day one, the FWS did communicate that it did not expect to take the full 135 days to complete the investigation.
The investigation was started based on Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, which mandates the FWS to review a project should the impact of the project on the environment significantly change or if the amount of change the previously issued license allowed is exceeded.
In SpaceX’s case, this consultation was triggered because of a significant modification to the launch infrastructure at Starbase with the implementation of a new deluge system at the orbital launch pad. Since the deluge system produced so much water that would be released into the surrounding environments and ecosystems, the FWS deemed the investigation necessary.
During the period, FWS workers were spotted multiple times at Starbase investigating the areas surrounding the orbital launch pad. After concluding the investigation, the FWS submitted the Final Biological and Conference Opinion (BCO) addendum on Nov. 17. The report addresses the impacted environmental baseline and consequences for SpaceX in the future.
The conclusion of the investigation mentions that deluge systems are a widely used system of rocket launch pads around the world and also that the use of the deluge system will help mitigate the impacts of Starship-Super Heavy operations on surrounding environments by reducing sound and vibrations created during liftoff and by assisting in cooling and fire suppression.
More: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/11/ift2-launch-license/ (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/11/ift2-launch-license/)
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SpaceX Just Revealed What Second Starship Launch Going to be like!
Space Trends
The journey of SpaceX's Starship prototype has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, captivating the attention of space enthusiasts and industry experts alike. The first complete Starship prototype took to the skies more than half a year ago. This event, although a relatively short wait in the grand scheme of rocket development, has felt like an eternity for those eagerly following its progress. The anticipation was partly due to the sheer size and ambition of the Starship project and the mixed performances of previous prototypes, such as the S24 and B7. These earlier versions, while crucial in their developmental role, did not fully meet the high expectations set for them.
This incident on 20th April, while a setback, provided SpaceX with valuable data to refine and improve the design. In the months following, SpaceX dedicated itself to significant enhancements and upgrades to the Starship system. This dedication to continuous improvement and learning from past experiences has set the stage for the next big leap - the anticipated second launch.
This upcoming launch has generated a buzz of excitement and optimism. The anticipation is further fueled by Musk's own confidence in the project. Musk has given a concrete percentage prediction on the likelihood of the Starship completing a full orbital flight successfully. Before we go further, please remember to subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Starship and SpaceX's other key missions.
The liftoff of this next Starship's orbital test flight is poised to be its most impressive and memorable moment. This anticipation builds on the public attention garnered by the first launch, which, despite ending in an explosion and not achieving its goal of orbiting the Earth, became one of the most publicized moments in rocket history.
Even when compared to legendary rockets of the past, such as the Saturn V used in the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle, or Russia's Soyuz rockets, the Starship's first launch captured public attention like few others. Some might argue that in the era of those rockets, there was no internet, making information less accessible, and while this is true, it's not the only reason for Starship's immense publicity on its April 20 launch.
Remember, this rocket is the largest ever built on Earth. It stands significantly taller and is more powerful than the legendary Saturn V, which was previously the benchmark for rocket size and capability. The sheer scale of Starship, its ambitious goals for Mars colonization and beyond, and its potential to change the future of space travel have all contributed to the intense public interest and media coverage.
Moreover, the approach SpaceX has taken in developing Starship, with transparent testing, public live streams, and frequent updates from Musk himself, has also played a key role in garnering such attention. This level of public engagement and openness is unprecedented in the history of space exploration.
Hopefully, on November 17, in line with SpaceX's recent tweet stating, 'Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval,' the powerful engines will lift the world's largest rocket into orbit, creating a moment of high emotion and a landmark event in space exploration. However, the lift off is just a small part of the entire flight, which includes many important steps before and after liftoff. The upcoming Starship flight faces many new challenges because SpaceX has made more than 1,000 changes to the rocket since its first test in April. Musk mentioned that these numerous updates, made after the rocket didn't reach orbit in its initial launch, are crucial for improving its performance for this flight.
Before SpaceX's Starship lifts off, a detailed and critical process begins approximately two hours prior to launch, extending until about T minus 20 minutes. This process includes poll verification, where the SpaceX launch team conducts final checks to ensure all systems are ready for fueling and launch. Every team member confirms their respective systems are ready for the operation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9T8cST6jVI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9T8cST6jVI)
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@Elderberry Thanks for keeping the Space threads up to date!
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Starship isn't launching Friday. SpaceX pushed their livestream start time on X to Saturday.
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
Can confirm that village evacuation for today has been cancelled.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_Ez1TWW4AAVEdb?format=jpg&name=large)
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Read somewhere else this is the largest rocket ever launched... true?
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Read somewhere else this is the largest rocket ever launched... true?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship)
It is the tallest and most powerful space launch vehicle to have flown.
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday
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Starship will only have a 20-minute launch window after a one-day delay
Space Explored by Seth Kurkowski Nov 16 2023
Thursday, SpaceX CEO and chief engineer Elon Musk, shared that the Starship rocket would not be flying on Friday but will be getting a fresh actuator in its Super Heavy booster. The need to replace this part will slide the launch back one day to Saturday and drop the two hour window to only 20 minutes.
No that is not a typo
You read that right, Saturday’s Starship launch attempt window will only be 20 minutes long, giving SpaceX not a lot of time to troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
This will require SpaceX to have a rather flawless countdown. Which is more likely this time than during the first launch back in April as teams have undergone numerous dress rehearsals in recent weeks.
What about further delays?
If SpaceX can’t get Starship off the pad one way or another Saturday, the company has a backup date on Sunday. Most likely SpaceX will have a window to launch daily if needed. At least until the end of next week where it gets murky with Thanksgiving and SpaceX may or may not have the ability to close the road.
From the TFR SpaceX was given by the FAA, the times line up that Sunday’s backup launch window will be 120 minutes. Giving the company much more time to problem solve anything that shows up in a rocket this early in development.
Now all this is assuming that what reasons SpaceX has to delay is something the company can resolve in 24 hours. Some issues might need more than a day to clear or weather could delay launches for multiple days.
More: https://spaceexplored.com/2023/11/16/starship-will-only-have-a-20-minute-launch-window-after-a-one-day-delay/ (https://spaceexplored.com/2023/11/16/starship-will-only-have-a-20-minute-launch-window-after-a-one-day-delay/)
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Here’s why SpaceX really needed to change out that part on Starship
ars Technica by Eric Berger - 11/17/2023
Grid fins have been essential to the landing of 230 rockets.
SpaceX's Starship rocket did not launch on Friday morning from South Texas as intended because the company had to replace the actuator on a grid fin. The rocket is now being prepared for a launch during a tight window on Saturday morning, from 7 to 7:20 am local time.
Here's an explanation of why grid fins are so important to the rocket's flight—or, more precisely, its landing.
A little Falcon 9 history
The better part of a decade ago, SpaceX maneuvered an autonomous drone ship into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time with the intent of catching a falling rocket.
During the pre-dawn hours of January 10, 2015, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida successfully lofted its fifth cargo mission toward the International Space Station for NASA. Then, for the engineers at the launch company, the fun really began as they watched the first stage reenter Earth's atmosphere.
SpaceX had been attempting to land its rockets vertically in flight since 2013 and over the course of eight missions had gathered data about how best to orient the first stage during its reentry, when to fire its engines to slow the vehicle down, and how to steer it toward a desired location on the ground.
Finally, by flight 14 of the rocket, they felt like they had put it all together. At least to the point where they could credibly make an attempt to land on a barge, recently christened Just Read the Instructions.
One critical change had been the addition of four "grid fins," each measuring about 5 feet long (1.5 meters) and 4 feet wide (1.2 meters). These allowed for much better steering of the vehicle through the atmosphere in place of small thrusters. The grid fins, originally developed by the Soviet Union half a century earlier as control surfaces for intercontinental ballistic missiles, could be rotated up to 20 degrees and worked well on the big rocket.
More: https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/heres-why-spacex-really-needed-to-change-out-that-part-on-starship/ (https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/heres-why-spacex-really-needed-to-change-out-that-part-on-starship/)
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Sunday seems more likely because of Saturday's tight launch window. Since it's a test flight of a Booster, I am not sure why there even IS a window....will this be an orbital flight?
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Sunday seems more likely because of Saturday's tight launch window. Since it's a test flight of a Booster, I am not sure why there even IS a window....will this be an orbital flight?
SubOrbital flight.
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/12604/production/_129386257_startship_flight_v2_640-2x-nc.png)
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Spacex
UPCOMING LAUNCH
Starship's Second Flight Test
https://www.spacex.com/ (https://www.spacex.com/)
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[4K] Watch SpaceX launch Starship, the biggest rocket ever, LIVE up close and personal!
Everyday Astronaut Started streaming 5 hours ago
This is the second fully integrated full stack test flight of Starship and the mighty Super Heavy booster, the largest and most most powerful rocket to ever fly. It produces over twice as much thrust as the Saturn V that took humans to the moon.
The goal of the test is to get further along than IFT-2 in April 20th which didn't make it to stage separation while also hoping the improvements to the launch pad hold up better than the previous attempt. If all goes well, Starship will re-enter near Hawaii about 90 minutes after it lifts off from Starbase, TX, nearly completing an orbit of the Earth. This would allow the teams to test the reentry profile and heat shields for the first time from orbital velocities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6na40SqzYnU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6na40SqzYnU)
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
All systems and weather are go for the second integrated flight test of Starship. Today's webcast will go live ~35 minutes ahead of liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches (http://spacex.com/launches)
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725834753537188097 (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725834753537188097)
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725829697232122034 (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725829697232122034)
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T- 10 Minutes
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Hold @ T-40secs Normal hold Point
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Counting!!!
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Launched!!!!
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Stage Separation complete!
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Booster RUD!!!!
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2nd Stage on its way.
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FANTASTIC!
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Lost Communication with 2nd stage
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Lost Communication with 2nd stage
Ruh rho...
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Elon Musk is legend. NASA could never.
https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1725887683375890580
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Incredible view of Elon Musk's Starship lift off.
https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1725887510390169923
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Liftoff of Starship!
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725862657780281349
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twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1725887683375890580
"Elon Musk is legend. NASA could never."
And why many don't know and understand that if Musk ever took SpaceX public, he'd become the world's first Trillionaire.
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Watch: SpaceX Starship Test Flight Launches Before Exploding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJ7jqLav8o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJ7jqLav8o)
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting second integrated flight test of Starship!
Starship successfully lifted off under the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster and made it through stage separation
9:12 AM · Nov 18, 2023
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The rocketship reached space following lift-off from south Texas before communication was suddenly lost.
SpaceX officials said it appears the ship’s self-destruct system blew it up over the Gulf of Mexico.
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FAA to oversee investigation of SpaceX's explosive 2nd Starship flight
Space.com By Mike Wall 11/18/2023
SpaceX will figure out why Saturday's (Nov. 18) test flight ended just eight minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX will figure out why Saturday's (Nov. 18) test flight ended just eight minutes after liftoff.
The second-ever test flight of SpaceX's giant Starship rocket has spurred an investigation, just as the first one did.
Starship lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas on Saturday (Nov. 18), kicking off a test mission that aimed to send the vehicle's upper stage most of the way around Earth.
The target was a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii about 90 minutes after launch. But Saturday's flight ended just eight minutes in, with the "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of Starship's upper stage. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deemed this outcome a mishap and will supervise an investigation into its cause.
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Indeed, SpaceX hailed Saturday's test flight as a success.
"Honestly, it's such an incredibly successful day, even though we did have a rapid unscheduled disassembly of both the Super Heavy booster and the Ship," SpaceX quality engineering manager Kate Tice said during the live webcast. (Super Heavy was supposed to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico about seven minutes after launch, but it exploded shortly after stage separation.)
"That's great," Tice added. "We got so much data, and that will all help us to improve for our next flight."
It's unclear when that next flight will take place; that depends on the outcome of the investigation, and how many adjustments SpaceX may need to make before the FAA clears Starship for liftoff once again.
More: https://www.space.com/faa-oversee-investigation-second-starship-flight (https://www.space.com/faa-oversee-investigation-second-starship-flight)
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A look at the launch site, post-flight
CNN By Jackie Wattles
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html)
SpaceX's launchpad appears to be fully intact, indicating that a new water deluge system used to dampen the jarring forces of the Super Heavy rocket's engines during takeoff helped keep the ground facilities safe.
Cameron County — the Texas county that encompasses Starship's launch site — opened the single road that runs out to SpaceX's launch facility and the public beaches shortly after launch. It was a quick turnaround for the county, which left the roads closed significantly longer after the inaugural test launch in April.
One key factor at play: SpaceX acknowledged that the sheer force of Super Heavy's engines after the April launch tore apart the launchpad. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk referred to it as a "rock tornado."
But the new deluge system used during this launch shot nearly 360,000 gallons of water upward as the engines ignited during this morning's launch. When CNN visited the launch site a few hours after takeoff, the stand that the rocket launched from appeared to be unharmed and there were no immediately visible signs of large debris in the area.
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Watch: SpaceX Starship Test Flight Launches Before Exploding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJ7jqLav8o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJ7jqLav8o)
From the video it looked like the first stage blew up well after separating. The second stage was continuing on. Why did the second stage get destroyed?
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From the video it looked like the first stage blew up well after separating. The second stage was continuing on. Why did the second stage get destroyed?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMJIRTCK--I
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From Reddit:
What would cause RUD at that late stage?
There was a weird gas stream starting at T+07:06 and a second puff of gas T+07:38, another puff at T+08:04 and what looks to me like the final explosion at T+08:07 and then there was nothing. Maybe the second stage was damaged by the hot staging event and started leaking later on when g-forces became higher, just some speculation
I noticed that too and on Tim's stream it almost sounds like you hear a background reaction to whatever happened at T+07:38 via the space x audio they were playing, it comes a split second before we see the event.
maybe it was someone from the control room swearing over some irregular data that they received
Who knows if the interface from the live stream shows live sensor data, but I noticed that starting with the first stream of gas at T+07:06 the LOX meter started to decrase faster than the CH4 meter, while it was the other way around just before that
FTS triggered for some reason, may have been off track, or maybe lost something in the engines so it triggered since it wasn't yet in orbit
For all we know, the activation could have been caused by a spurious condition or an overly sensitive instrument.
If the #Starship self-destruct mechanism indeed took place when it was about to shut off its engines, then this should be the approximate area where it #disintegrated:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_OGSHMWcAARELa?format=jpg&name=large)
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From Reddit:
If the #Starship self-destruct mechanism indeed took place when it was about to shut off its engines, then this should be the approximate area where it #disintegrated:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_OGSHMWcAARELa?format=jpg&name=large)
I was watching the video feed of the Starship, and noticed those puffs of gas, then the final RUD. When I saw the gas, I figured something was wrong. After all, the emissions from the vehicle are supposed to be highly controlled and generally in one direction.
I had also noticed that the altitude had stabilized, then dropped by 1 km, which I didn't think was part of the flight plan, and may have further heralded a problem in fuel/oxidizer flow or pressure. Then it was over. :shrug:
Still, this represents progress. The difficulties appear to be a result of damage incurred during the hot staging, even though the separation was successful. Hopefully, the data gathered will allow these issues to be resolved.
As a reminder, early efforts in space programs do not always go well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79K-R7xTFo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79K-R7xTFo)
We learn from our mistakes, before we try manned flight, and even then, there are no guarantees.
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I was wondering if those momentary gas streams at the top end after separation were steering jets to orient the first stage for optimum position to return back to earth - before it exploded.
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SpaceX Starship Launch 2 (IFT2) Explained!
Marcus House Nov 19, 2023
Here we have the colossal SpaceX Starship Launch 2 (IFT2) Explained!
The day arrived where SpaceX has proved that all those improvements to the launch site and launch vehicle have paid off! Yes, on Saturday the 18th of November, 2023! That day my friends, the newest record breaking Starship full stack flew for the second time ever! Oh boy was this one improved from the last, yet still a nail biting spectacle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmiI_up0G2Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmiI_up0G2Y)
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Thank you for the update/description of the flight.
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
From the entire SpaceX team, thank you to our customers, Cameron County, spaceflight fans, and the wider community for the continued support and encouragement.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Thanks also to @FAANews
and @NFWFnews
for rapid approval of a complex launch license
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_UEA-haAAAF7h1?format=jpg&name=large)
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Starship hot stage separation
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_U8GqebcAAdvdU?format=jpg&name=large)
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FAA to oversee investigation of SpaceX's explosive 2nd Starship flight
Anyone want to wager the probability that the FAA wouldn't gotten their sneaky grubby little fingers into this investigation, if Musk hadn't bought Twitter.
Sorry but I view every swamp fed regulatory puke in the same vein as Walter Peck froom Ghostbusters. Prove me wrong.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/STMgRwY5CwY/hqdefault.jpg)
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Anyone want to wager the probability that the FAA wouldn't gotten their sneaky grubby little fingers into this investigation, if Musk hadn't bought Twitter.
Sorry but I view every swamp fed regulatory puke in the same vein as Walter Peck froom Ghostbusters. Prove me wrong.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/STMgRwY5CwY/hqdefault.jpg)
I'd love to argue, but that has been my suspicion also. Narrative busting is highly unwelcome by the Administration and the rest of their toadies.
Not just the FAA, but they threw environmental regulators at him also.
He must not be handing out the baksheesh like the MIC.
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Starship’s 33 Engines Created The Mother Of All ‘Shock Diamonds’
The War Zone by Oliver Parken 11/20/2023
The exhaust from the massive cluster of Raptor engines in Starship’s booster combined to create a gigantic ‘shock diamond’ during launch.
SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket lifted off for its second test flight over the weekend. Among the stunning imagery and video to have emerged from the launch that caught our attention was the sight of its super-heavy rocket booster generating gargantuan "mach diamonds" or "shock diamonds." What’s particularly impressive is how the rocket booster’s 33 Raptor engines combined to create a perfectly formed mach diamond as the stack lifted off the pad.
Given how incredible this example of physics visualized on a grand scale looks in the photos, we thought it was an opportune moment to dig deeper into the science behind them, as well as explain what makes their unique appearance during the recent Starship test launch so intriguing.
The 'Starship' system, comprised of a super-heavy rocket booster and spacecraft, took off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas on November 18. In a significant development for SpaceX, and in comparison to the first Starship test launch in April, the rocket booster was successfully able to separate from the spacecraft. This was before the rocket booster exploded over the Gulf of Mexico at an altitude of 91 miles (148 kilometers). Moreover, contact was lost with the spacecraft after it reached space, with the company having to trigger its self-destruct feature shortly thereafter. Eventually, Space X intends for its Starship system to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.
More: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/starships-33-engines-created-the-mother-of-all-shock-diamonds (https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/starships-33-engines-created-the-mother-of-all-shock-diamonds)
(https://www.thedrive.com/uploads/2023/11/21/Shock-Diamond-Starship.jpg?auto=webp&crop=16%3A9&auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1920)
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Slow motion tracking shot of Super Heavy's 33 Raptor engines shortly after liftoff
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1727054554947268685 (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1727054554947268685)
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Watch SpaceX's Starship explode in astronomer's stunning telescope footage (video)
Space.com By Brett Tingley 11/22/2023
'There it was, spinning out of control, spewing clouds of gas in multiple directions.'
The second test flight of SpaceX's Starship was a photogenic one.
On Saturday (Nov. 18), the massive Starship rocket launched for the second time ever, lifting off from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The Super Heavy booster of the 400-foot-tall (122 meters) rocket exploded shortly after stage separation, while the upper-stage Starship vehicle reached an altitude of 91 miles (148 kilometers), well above the 62-mile (100 km) boundary of space before it, too, experienced what SpaceX refers to as a "rapid unscheduled disassembly."
Despite both parts of the vehicle exploding, SpaceX considers the test flight a success. "All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster started up successfully and, for the first time, completed a full-duration burn during ascent," SpaceX wrote in a recent mission update.
As spaceflight fans and photographers around Boca Chica pointed their cameras to the skies to document the spectacle, Scott Ferguson of Astronomy Live was watching from much farther away with a different kind of instrument: A telescope. Observing from the village of Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Ferguson captured an incredible view of Starship's upper stage as it exploded in suborbital space.
More: https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-telescope-astronomer-video (https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-telescope-astronomer-video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTcSMh4VYow&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTcSMh4VYow&t=0s)
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Starship & Superheavy Become The Biggest Rocket In Space.... Before Exploding
Scott Manley Nov 18, 2023
SpaceX finally got to fly their second integrated flight test of the fully reusable Starship & Superheavy system, the launch was spectacular, excitement had been guaranteed and excitement was delivered. The reusable part however remains elusive for now, but I look forward to seeing the next launch be even more successful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2C7xE9Mj4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2C7xE9Mj4)
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SpaceX Starship Booster 9 Tank Slosh simulation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9WFmItGrKk&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9WFmItGrKk&t=0s)
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SpaceX Starship Booster 9 Tank Slosh simulation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9WFmItGrKk&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9WFmItGrKk&t=0s)
Needs batter baffles...
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Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
Onboard footage exists from IFT-2!!! And those tracking shots of Starship's second stage burning are incredible!!! I think flight three is going to happen much sooner than IFT-1 to IFT-2 and I expect it to be a much more successful test! I can't wait!
SpaceX
@SpaceX
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13m
At dawn from the gateway to Mars, the launch of Starship’s second flight test
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1732824684683784516 (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1732824684683784516)
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What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
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According to @elonmusk
Starship IFT2 would have made it to orbit without a problem if it had a payload.
Venting of excess liquid Oxygen due to a lighter Rocket because of the missing payload created a fire and ultimately lead to the explosion. 🔥
https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1745973337874919918 (https://twitter.com/FelixSchlang/status/1745973337874919918)