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An FCC license for the Starship orbital flight test, allocating telemetry frequencies etc., has been granted for March 1 through September 1 2022.

 

https://twitter.com/FccSpace/status/1494054096319492096?t=CZDxYU1rmrbsm6wo01OyFw

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Because of recent events, e vextra hardening against cyberattack.

 

 

Also, the US Space Force plans on monitoring  and protecting not just within geostationary orbit (22,000 km) but all the way to cisilunar space (the Moon), Starship is one of the few vehicles that will operate out there.

 

Working name: Cislunar Highway Patrol System  (CHPS)

Edited by DocM
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  • 3 weeks later...

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/21/elon-musk-spacex-will-hopefully-launch-starship-orbital-flight-in-may.html

 

Quote

 

Elon Musk says SpaceX will hopefully launch first Starship orbital flight in May

 

KEY POINTS

 

• Elon Musk on Monday gave an update on the timeline for SpaceX’s first orbital launch of the company’s next-generation Starship rocket.

 

• “We’ll have 39 flightworthy engines built by next month, then another month to integrate, so hopefully May for orbital flight test,” Musk tweeted in response to CNBC.

 

• SpaceX needs a license from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the flight, with the regulator expected to complete a key environmental assessment by March 28.

>

 

 

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On 05/04/2022 at 06:26, DocM said:

Zowie!!

 

33 engine Super Heavy booster 

 

On the Starbase orbital launch pad, prepping for proof tests, cryotests, static fires, etc.  

 

Im pretty sure this is just a render. That crane isnt there anymore. 

 

The crane at the pad is the new black one.

 

image.png.2febbe648cfc6b8ef68a2534fa16fd92.pngThe crane

On 04/04/2022 at 19:12, IsItPluggedIn said:

Im pretty sure this is just a render. That crane isnt there anymore. 

 

The crane at the pad is the new black one.

 

image.png.2febbe648cfc6b8ef68a2534fa16fd92.pngThe crane

SpaceX isn't wasting time; Booster 7 cryotested. Probably structural testing, then a static fire campaign.

 

 

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Drone footage of the SpaceX Operations Area at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Roberts Road (halfway between the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and Visitor Center).

 

This shows the ongoing construction of infrastructure and multiple tower segments for the soon-to-rise LC-39A Starship pad. This will be used for early KSC Starship missions and the NASA Artemis Program's Starship HLS crewed moon landings. 

 

Other KSC Starship facilities will be under construction elsewhere around KSC. This includes a second Starship pad facility currently under environmental review; LC 49, north of LC-39 A and LC-39B.

 

Also some footage of Blue Origin's LC-36 New Glenn pad and construction facilities.

 

More updates on the KSC Starship factory on Roberts Road. 

 

The Starship tower is going to make LC-39A's tower look shrimpy. It also appears they're going to make more than one 😎

 

https://youtu.be/K2DDAPdoQyE

 

 

Edited by DocM
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  • 4 weeks later...

Separately,

 

NASA and SpaceX are discussing converting LC-40 so it can do Crew/Cargo Dragon launches, just in case of a Starship oopsie at LC-39a. An alternative may be hardening LC-39a

 

Buildinga new launch tower for LC-40 shouldn't be too difficult since they built a launch tower assembly line (!!) at the KSC SpaceX Operations Area on  Roberts Road.

Executive summary of the Boca Chica PEA

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-06/Final_PEA_Executive_Summary.pdf

 

The Raptor engine no longer needs purified methane,

 

Quote

The natural gas pretreatment system and liquefier are no longer needed due to advances in the design and capabilities of SpaceX’s Raptor engines. Previously, additional refinement of methane to purer levels than commercially available was anticipated to be needed. However, as a result of engine advances, SpaceX can rely on commercially available methane without refinement. Accordingly, SpaceX is no longer proposing a natural gas pretreatment system and liquefier.

 

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