Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-19-2024 11:18 AM
From Reuters' space reporter Joey Roulette (via X):
SpaceX's Gwynne Shotwell at the Satellite 2024 convetion says next Starship test flight coming "hopefully in about six weeks," and she doesn't think they're going to deploy Starlinks on that test — wants to "focus on getting reentry right."
NukeGuy Member
Posts: 121 From: Irvine, CA USA Registered: May 2014
posted 03-25-2024 11:59 AM
Was Starship deliberately under-fueled for this test or did it carry a mass simulator in the payload bay?
The reason I ask is that the propellant quantities on the graphic displayed by SpaceX showed very low levels at shutdown. One would expect this if it was carrying its designed payload mass. But I don’t recall hearing of the test containing a mass simulator and one was not obvious from the camera in the payload bay.
Admittedly, the graphics are misleading as the LOX and methane tanks are different sizes but presented on the same scale.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Super Heavy booster for Flight 4 moved to the pad at Starbase.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-05-2024 04:35 PM
SpaceX Flight 3 highlights video
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2024 08:40 PM
April 5 static fire of the Flight 4 Super Heavy booster:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2024 08:46 PM
SpaceX video
The goal of SpaceX is to build the technologies necessary to make life multiplanetary. This is the first time in the 4-billion-year history of Earth that it's possible to realize that goal and protect the light of consciousness.
At Starbase on Thursday, April 4, SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk provided an update on the company's plans to send humanity to Mars, the best destination to begin making life multiplanetary.
Go to X for the full talk, which also includes the mechanics and challenges of traveling to Mars, along with what we're building today to enable sending around a million people and several million tonnes to the Martian surface in the years to come.
denali414 Member
Posts: 871 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 04-08-2024 07:27 AM
I find Musk more confusing by the year. The threat of nuking moon/Mars was bizarre.
Not once addresses the main problem of space radiation and solar flares that would impact any long flight to Mars or the impact on Mars to insulate the one million person "city" long term without an atmosphere to protect humans. Not even going into how you feed the large population. Sounds nice but still not viable.
Also the cost of shooting hundreds of rockets to Mars yearly to build this city, is beyond even Musk or any nations' wealth.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2403 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 04-08-2024 06:24 PM
quote:Originally posted by denali414: Also the cost of shooting hundreds of rockets to Mars yearly to build this city, is beyond even Musk or any nations' wealth.
It is perhaps a bit premature to dismiss the notion out of hand.
There are many things to learn before colonizing the moon or Mars, and one of them will be, "What raw materials are already there that we won't have to bring along?" There will certainly be some materials that will be usable once some smart engineering minds are applied to the problem and a proper assessment of what is actually there is completed. We have hardly scratched the surface of knowledge, particularly about the red planet.
denali414 Member
Posts: 871 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 04-09-2024 07:20 AM
Agree, we have barely scratched the surface of knowledge of Mars. Musk was talking within the next few years, not decades from now. Maybe I took it wrong,but he was saying this is possible now and in my opinion, not close to possible.
It is great to think big and have a vision, but constraints and reality are many times much different. That talk seemed much more science fiction than current reality.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1143 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 04-09-2024 01:05 PM
Musk is now over 50, therefore must feel his mortality.
He said many times that he wants to die on Mars. But for that to happen every upcoming Starship test flight needs to be 100% successful.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-20-2024 04:56 PM
SpaceX conducted a launch rehearsal for Flight 4 today. From Elon Musk (via X):
Starship Flight 4 in about two weeks. Primary goal is getting through max reentry heating.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-24-2024 04:34 PM
Per SpaceX, the fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 5, pending regulatory approval.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-02-2024 02:04 PM
Per SpaceX, Flight 4 is now targeted to launch no earlier than June 6, pending regulatory approval.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2024 02:55 PM
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) release
The FAA is responsible for and committed to protecting the public during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.
The FAA has approved a license authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 4. SpaceX met all safety and other licensing requirements for this test flight.
As part of its request for license modification, SpaceX proposed three scenarios involving the Starship entry that would not require an investigation in the event of the loss of the vehicle. The FAA approved the scenarios as test induced damage exceptions after evaluating them as part of the flight safety and flight hazard analyses and confirming they met public safety requirements. If a different anomaly occurs with the Starship vehicle an investigation may be warranted as well as if an anomaly occurs with the Super Heavy booster rocket.
Background
The Test Induced Damage Exception identifies test objectives associated with certain flight events and system components of the Starship vehicle. The three approved exceptions include: failure of the thermal shield during high-heating; the flap system is unable to provide sufficient control under high dynamic pressure; and the failure of the Raptor engine system during the landing burn. If one of these scenarios occurs, an investigation will not be required provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property and no debris outside designated hazard areas.
In addition, the FAA approved the mission profile that included a controlled and uncontrolled entry of the Starship vehicle. If SpaceX chooses to execute an uncontrolled entry, it must communicate that decision to the FAA prior to launch. As such, the loss of the Starship vehicle would be considered a planned event and an investigation will not be required.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2024 02:57 PM
SpaceX release
SpaceX Set to Launch Starship’s Fourth Flight Test
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, June 6 for the fourth integrated flight test of Starship from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The 120-minute test window opens at 7:00 a.m. CDT.
Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear a loud noise resulting from the rocket's 33 Raptor engines firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward space, but what people experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
SpaceX's live webcast will go live approximately 30 minutes before liftoff. Live updates will also be available on X.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-06-2024 06:46 AM
So far, a successful flight for Starship and Super Heavy. The booster lost one of the 33 engines at liftoff but made it cleanly through ascent to hot fire stage separation.
The booster then performed a boostback burn and separated from the hot stage (a temporary weight saving measure to be replaced by a lighter hot stage in the future) before executing a successful landing burn (using 12 of the 13 engines planned), to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico.
Starship, meanwhile, made it into space — only its second time doing so — and is now coasting until it reenters the atmosphere, and hopefully performs a landing flip and burn to splash down in the Indian Ocean.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-06-2024 07:34 AM
Starship made it through reentry (while almost losing at least one of its control flaps) and performed a landing burn, such that it splashed down in the Indian Ocean, off the northern tip of Australia.
"From South Texas to the other side of the Earth, Starship is in the water."
posted 06-06-2024 07:39 AM
What a show it was and I think SpaceX set a major step forward with this test flight.
Booster landing I found most interesting as it gently touched water and then tripped over. Anyone know if there are any plans to recover it for structural testing and inspection?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-06-2024 07:44 AM
Neither Starship or the booster will be recovered from this test flight.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1143 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 06-06-2024 10:22 AM
Well done to all concerned.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3121 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 06-06-2024 11:00 AM
It was spectacular! I tell you as a long time structural aerospace engineer I expected flutter and break up as that forward flight control was melting in the plasma stream. It speaks volumes to the robustness if the structure that it held together to the end of the mission. Well done!
posted 06-08-2024 07:46 AM
Yes, the catch attempts will be very exciting to watch.
By the way, I am impressed with SpaceX providing real-time visual coverage of their Starship test flights utilizing their Starlink constellation. Musk says the next flight test, which may or may not sport a catch attempt, will have full non-stop coverage.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-08-2024 10:57 AM
SpaceX video
Super Heavy landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Posts: 5 From: Phoenix, AZ USA Registered: Dec 2015
posted 06-10-2024 07:58 AM
Note the fire that is burning to the side of the vehicle. I think it comes from the failed engine that fragmented after the landing burn startup.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3772 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 06-12-2024 03:57 PM
Even allowing for that failed Raptor, a very impressive performance. For the sake of completeness, it would be useful and fascinating to see the outside view of the SuperHeavy entering the water and toppling over. How long did it float?
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5407 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-25-2024 04:23 PM
Everyday Astronaut video
Get up close and personal to a full stack of Starship on the Orbital Launch Mount at SpaceX's Starbase facility with Elon Musk. Then hear how Starship Flight 4 went when we follow up with Elon after the launch!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Second launch tower stacked as the newest addition to Starbase.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3772 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 08-23-2024 08:49 AM
I always thought the second tower looks uncomfortably close to the first tower in the event of a catastrophic launch-pad explosion of a fully-fuelled Starship.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1350 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 08-23-2024 04:06 PM
Do we know the actual distance between the two towers?
In August 1965, NASA published a brief paper estimating the size of the fireball produced by an exploding Saturn V (about 1400 feet in diameter). Thankfully, it still remains theoretical.
One of the more interesting findings highlighted in the paper was that the TYPE of propellant was not as critical to the calculations as the total amount of propellant. They included a nice graph on page 22 that plotted the amount of propellant vs the diameter of the fireball. Perhaps a more clever cSer than I could determine the value for Starship Heavy's propellants and see what kind of fireball we might get.
If the resulting fireball radius is greater than the distance between the towers, then Mr. Musk might indeed have a serious problem.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-20-2024 01:48 PM
From SpaceX on Sept. 18 (via X):
Starbase tower lifts the Super Heavy booster for Flight 5 to expected catch height.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-23-2024 10:32 AM
From SpaceX on Sept. 21 (via X):
Starship stacked for Flight 5 and ready for launch, pending regulatory approval.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2024 06:46 PM
SpaceX update
Starship's fifth flight test could launch as soon as October 13, pending regulatory approval.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
The launch window will open as early as 7:00 a.m. CT. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2024 06:02 PM
FAA statement
In mid-August, SpaceX submitted new information for its proposed Starship/Super Heavy Flight 5 mission. The FAA is continuing to review this information. The FAA will make a licensing determination once SpaceX has met all licensing requirements.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Starship stacked ahead of its fifth flight test. We expect regulatory approval in time to fly on October 13.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2024 12:08 PM
FAA statement:
The FAA has issued a license modification authorizing SpaceX to launch multiple missions of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle on the Flight 5 mission profile. The FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements for the suborbital test flight.
The Flight 5 mission profile involves launch of the combined Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from Boca Chica, Texas, a return to the launch site of the Super Heavy booster rocket for a catch attempt by the launch tower, and a water landing of the Starship vehicle in the Indian Ocean west of Australia.
SpaceX update
Targeting Sunday, October 13 for Starship's fifth flight test. A 30-minute launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3772 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 10-12-2024 04:22 PM
The events of the last couple of weeks have left me puzzled. I thought the FAA had absolute authority to issue or not issue a launch licence, but recently I have heard suggestions that both NASA and the DoD could override the FAA and issue a launch licence. Is that correct? Who has supreme authority when it comes to authorizing launches? Certainly, looking in from outside the USA, I have the impression that the FAA were dragging their feet inexcusably and got "leaned on."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2024 05:27 PM
The FAA has absolute authority over licensing all U.S. commercial launches. Launches for the Department of Defense or NASA (i.e. other U.S. government agencies) are overseen by their respective payload customers.
For Starship test launches, the FAA has first and final say. NASA, can of course, offer its input as to why these tests are important for its upcoming Artemis flights, but has no authority when it comes to issuing a license.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53481 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2024 06:07 AM
From Elon Musk:
Looks like Starship might fly on Sunday!
This the largest & most powerful flying object ever made at more than double the thrust of the Saturn V Moon rocket.
We will try to catch it upon return to launch site using the Mechazilla arms like giant chopsticks (like Karate Kid)!
posted 03-19-2024 11:18 AM
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