SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Close up

 

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 09/02/2023 at 16:28, DocM said:

Close up

 

Reports are 31 of the 33 fired.

[DocM]

On 09/02/2023 at 19:55, Warwagon said:

Reports are 31 of the 33 fired.

True, but no one is stressed over a thrust loss of ~3%. They'll find what caused the problem and fix it (often a bad sensor).  

The vehicle is designed with redundancy (engine-out capability) in mind; extra engines and a thrust:weight of 1.5:1 (most launchers have 1.2:1).  With 2 out they just throttle up the remaining engines and keep going. 

Falcon 9 has done this several times, but other rockets cannot - not enough engines.

[DocM]

Half throttle because of partial propellant load, no Ship or payload. 

[DocM]

Starship tower landing

 

 

[DocM]

Super Heavy Quick Disconnect/Reconnect test

 

 

[bguy_1986]

So not only will it need to land on the chop sticks, it will have to orient itself so that it can hook up to the QD "arm"?  Or will it spin around another way to line up?

Still crazy either way.  I can't wait to see it.

[DocM]

On 20/02/2023 at 14:51, bguy_1986 said:

So not only will it need to land on the chop sticks, it will have to orient itself so that it can hook up to the QD "arm"?  Or will it spin around another way to line up?

Still crazy either way.  I can't wait to see it.

The arms have fittings that attach to partners on the ship, which  automatically aligns it for the QD arm. Ditto the booster.

[DocM]

We may be getting a Starship launch date soon

 

 

[DocM]

Inside look at building Raptor engines etc.

A key to SpaceX and Tesla's success is building the machines that build the machines. 3D printing rocket engine parts, high-pressure casting of car frames, etc.

 

 

[DocM]

 

[bguy_1986]

Been waiting for an FAA license forever.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 16/03/2023 at 13:55, bguy_1986 said:

Been waiting for an FAA license forever.

The Biden administration has it out for Elon Musk.

[+Matthew S. Subscriber²]

On 16/03/2023 at 19:08, Warwagon said:

The Old Space has it out for Elon Musk.

Fixed that for you.

[DocM]

Starship launch license soon...

Booster 7 is being put on the launch mount, and...

 

 

[DocM]

Looks like some Starship launch dates/windows.

Likely provisional, we'll see how smooth the pre-launch preps go.

MSIB = Maritime Safety Information Bulletin

Dates: April 6-12

Times: 0855 - 1310 Eastern

==========

Flight tracks

Launch: Starbase, Texas

Landing (on water): Pacific Missile Range off Kauai, Hawaii

[DocM]

One of the most beautifully rendered Starship video I have seen. 20 min, big screen & volume up recommended.

 

 

[DocM]

 

 

 

 

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 03/04/2023 at 01:31, DocM said:

One of the most beautifully rendered Starship video I have seen. 20 min, big screen & volume up recommended.

 

 

That was beautiful. When the booster came down and Ignited it's landing burn, we heard it before we saw it. Should have been the other way around.

[DocM]

Ruh-roh...

An explanation for why they've been so cagey about the launch date

 

[DocM]

Mexican airspace NOTAM* for Starship launch

* NOtice To AirMen

0800 - 1200 Eastern

https://twitter.com/alexphysics13/status/1643783761249574917

 

[DocM]

Big John Insprucker from the major SpaceX webcasts chimes in 

 

 

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

April 10th opportunity cancelled, April 11 & 12 still in play.