SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Impressive RUD.

 

 

[SarK0Y]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacexs-starship-sn4-launch-vehicle-190808958.html

 

detonation looks like military grade explosives. actually, rp-1 is more safe + it has better energy-per-volume ratio than methane.

[DocM]

RP-1 cannot be made by in-situ resource utilization on the Moon, Mars, Ceres, or other interesting bodies. Methane can, and in some places it's laying about as methane ice or as a liquid. It also delivers a higher iSP than RP-1, important once out of the atmosphere.

 

Looks like a GSE (ground support equipment) leak, not the vehicle. Still got tons of data from SN4 so...

 

Build, test, fail, fix, iterate...no one has built a methane engine or rocket at anywhere near this scale before.

 

They were going to re-do the GSE anyhow, adding vented methane capture & liquifiication, and a new rest pad further from the tank farm is half done.

 

Starship SN5 is already  stacked in High Bay 1 with a redesigned lower dome & engine mount, SN6 parts are waiting to be sacked, and SN7 parts are being made. The foundation for High Bay 2 has been poured.

 

 

Edited May 30, 2020 by DocM

[Jim K Global Moderator]

 

Some theories from Scott.

 

 

Different angle of the RUD from Tim Dodd - The Everyday Astronaut.  

 

 

[DocM]

Yup, GSE failed for x reason(s). They'll figure it out then apply the fixes to the test stand already under construction further from the tank farm.

[DocM]

Well, that explains a lot....

 

 

 

[DocM]

 

[BetaguyGZT]

This is why testing is done, and SpaceX is absolutely fearless when it comes to that testing.  

 

(At least when it's equipment ... )

[DocM]

Test, break, fix, iterate, repeat

[DocM]

High Bay 2 (Super Heavy) coming soon

 

This fits with high construction activity at the Super Heavy pad site.

 

 

[DocM]

High Bay 2  for stacking Super Heavy will be 81 meters tall (265 feet 9 inches), and the 3,600 tonnes of propellant in the Super Heavy booster will weigh more than a Saturn V rocket (2,970 tonnes).

 

 

[DocM]

News;

 

In a company-wide email Musk has told SpaceXers that with Crew Dragon flying Starship is now Priority #1. 

 

Full steam ahead.

[DocM]

14 day NOTAM

 

[Skiver Veteran]

I knew SN5 wasn't far behind but I really didn't expect it to be this quick.

 

We should see a static fire before any hop?

[DocM]

The usual; pressure tests, static fire, then a hop.  Probably more than one of each, but that NOTAM is for 14 days.

[DocM]

Live: SN-07 test tank pressure test (liquid nitrogen) testing 304L stainless steel, new welds, etc.

 

 

 

[DocM]

Test to destruction

 

 

 

[DocM]

 

[ks8877]

 

Elon Musk: "SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports"... 

Obviously, the best location for Spaceport is on Sea Platform to avoid local restrictions.

Spaceport on island also could have problems from environmentalists, there are always some sea birds' nests...

 

[Skiver Veteran]

 

[DocM]

Barring more operational errors (SN4) they'll likely move fast.  They want a full prototype in the air soon.

[DocM]

"BlueZilla," a  Manitowoc 18000 Crawler Crane, is at Boca Chica to erect High Bay 2, an 81+ meter tall vertical assembly building for SpaceX's new Super Heavy booster.

 

 

[DocM]

NOTAMs are in place for an SN-05 hop this week, cleared up to 1500ft (457.2m) AGL.

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

SN-05 test schedule

Static fire: July 10
Backups: July 11 & July 12

150m hop: July 13
Backups: July 14 & July 15

Times: all days 0900-1800 Eastern

 

New cargo noses, Super Heavy High Bay 2 construction, SN-05 preps, etc.