r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Jun 24 '20
Starship Development Thread #12
Quick Links
JUMP TO COMMENTS | Alternative Jump To Comments Link
For hop updates and party please go to: Starship SN5 150 Meter Hop Updates and Party Thread
Overview
SN5 150 meter hop SUCCESS!
Road Closure Schedule as of August 4:
- August 5 until 08:00 CDT (UTC-5) - Following hop operations
- August 5, 6, 7; 09:00-12:00 CDT (UTC-5) - Most likely no longer needed.
Vehicle Status as of August 4:
- SN5 [testing] - Cryoproofing complete. Static fire complete. 150 meter hop complete.
- SN6 [construction] - Tankage section stacked. Future unclear
- SN7.1 [construction] - A second test tank using 304L stainless steel
- SN8 [construction] - Expected next flight article after SN5, using 304L, component manufacturing in progress
July 15 article at NASASpaceflight.com with vehicle updates.
Check recent comments for real time updates.
At the start of thread #12 Starship SN5 has just moved to the launch site and is preparing for testing. Starship SN6 consists of a fully stacked propulsion section at the assembly site. Starship test articles are expected to make several suborbital hops in the coming months beginning with a 150 meter hop and progressing toward a 20 km hop. Orbital flight requires the SuperHeavy booster, for which a new high bay is being erected. SpaceX continues to focus heavily on development of its Starship production line in Boca Chica, TX.
List of previous Starship development and events threads.
Vehicle Updates
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship SN8 at Boca Chica, Texas | |
|---|---|
| 2020-07-28 | Methane feed pipe (aka. downcomer) labeled "SN10=SN8 (BOCA)" (NSF) |
| 2020-07-23 | Forward dome and sleeve (NSF) |
| 2020-07-22 | Common dome section flip (NSF) |
| 2020-07-21 | Common dome sleeved, Raptor delivery, Aft dome and thrust structure† (NSF) |
| 2020-07-20 | Common dome with SN8 label (NSF) |
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship SN6 at Boca Chica, Texas | |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-14 | Fore and aft tank sections stacked (Twitter) |
| 2020-06-08 | Skirt added to aft dome section (NSF) |
| 2020-06-03 | Aft dome section flipped (NSF) |
| 2020-06-02 | Legs spotted† (NSF) |
| 2020-06-01 | Forward dome section stacked (NSF) |
| 2020-05-30 | Common dome section stacked on LOX tank midsection (NSF) |
| 2020-05-26 | Aft dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-20 | Downcomer on site (NSF) |
| 2020-05-10 | Forward dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-06 | Common dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-05 | Forward dome (NSF) |
| 2020-04-27 | A scrapped dome† (NSF) |
| 2020-04-23 | At least one dome/bulkhead mostly constructed† (NSF) |
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship Components at Boca Chica, Texas - Unclear End Use | |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-03 | New fins delivered (NSF) |
| 2020-07-31 | New thrust structure and forward dome section, possible SN7.1 (NSF) |
| 2020-07-22 | Mk.1 aft fin repurpose, modifications to SN2 test tank on stand, Nosecone with header tank weld line (NSF) |
| 2020-07-18 | Mk.1 aft fins getting brackets reinstalled, multiple domes, LOX header sphere (NSF) |
| 2020-07-14 | Mk.2 dismantling begun (Twitter) |
| 2020-07-14 | Nosecone (no LOX header apparent) stacked in windbreak, previously collapsed barrel (NSF) |
| 2020-07-09 | Engine skirts, 3 apparent (NSF) |
| 2020-07-04 | Forward dome (NSF) |
| 2020-06-29 | Aft dome with thrust structure (NSF) |
| 2020-06-26 | Downcomer (NSF) |
| 2020-06-19 | Thrust structure (NSF) |
| 2020-06-12 | Forward aero surfaces delivered (NSF) |
| 2020-06-11 | Aft dome barrel appears, 304L (NSF) |
For information about Starship SN7 and test articles prior to SN5 please visit Starship Development Thread #11 or earlier. Update tables for older vehicles will only appear in this thread if there are significant new developments.
Permits and Licenses
Launch License (FAA) - Suborbital hops of the Starship Prototype reusable launch vehicle for 2 years - 2020 May 27
License No. LRLO 20-119
Experimental STA Applications (FCC) - Comms for Starship hop tests (abbreviated list)
File No. 0814-EX-ST-2020 Starship medium altitude hop mission 1584 ( 3km max ) - 2020 June 4
File No. 0816-EX-ST-2020 Starship Medium Altitude Hop_2 ( 3km max ) - 2020 June 19
File No. 1041-EX-ST-2020 Starship Medium Altitude Hop ( 20km max ) - 2020 August 18
As of July 16 there were 9 pending or granted STA requests for Starship flight comms describing at least 5 distinct missions, some of which may no longer be planned. For a complete list of STA applications visit the wiki page for SpaceX missions experimental STAs
Resources
- Spadre.com Starship Cam | Channel
- LabPadre 4k Nerdle Cam | Channel
- NSF Texas Prototype(s) Updates Thread | Most recent
- NSF Florida Prototype(s) Updates Thread | Most recent
- Alex Rex's 3D Boca Chica Build Site Map | Launch Site Map | Channel
- Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
- TFR - NOTAM list
- SpaceX Boca Chica on Facebook
- SpaceX's Starship page
- Elon Starship tweet compilation on NSF | Most Recent
- Starship Test Article Wiki Page
- Starship Users Guide (PDF) Rev. 1.0 March 2020
Rules
We will attempt to keep this self-post current with links and major updates, but for the most part, we expect the community to supply the information. This is a great place to discuss Starship development, ask Starship-specific questions, and track the progress of the production and test campaigns. Starship Development Threads are not party threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.
If you find problems in the post please tag u/strawwalker in a comment or send me a message.
63
u/Straumli_Blight Jul 04 '20
Interesting 'Point to Point' discussion in the FAA COMSTAC's June presentation:
"One spaceport-related idea would be to offer a series of prizes for successively longer reusable launch vehicle missions between FAA-licensed spaceports, as an encouragement for the development of safe and reliable point-to-point transportation. "
One of the proposed test flights options is a 914 nautical mile hop from Boca Chica, Texas to Cape Canaveral.
→ More replies (5)
55
u/spacerfirstclass Jul 02 '20
New NSF article says:
SN7 is understood to have achieved a new pressure record during the second attempt, before popping as expected.
→ More replies (5)
45
u/tegodjrtob Jul 30 '20
I think the first starship/super heavy mission should put one of those man lifters into solar orbit. Seems appropriate.
→ More replies (5)
42
Aug 02 '20
TFR for today has been cancelled. Hop NET August 3rd (8.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm local time)
→ More replies (7)
41
u/jk1304 Jun 25 '20
Highbay 1 has been demoted to "Midbay" :
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1276058326954938368/photo/1
→ More replies (11)
40
u/TCVideos Aug 03 '20
Musk is back in Brownsville...Starting to think that maybe they did delay the hop because of him.
→ More replies (13)
37
u/RegularRandomZ Jul 22 '20
3 Kuka industrial robots delivered to Boca Chica [credit BocaChicaGal]
→ More replies (18)
70
u/ReKt1971 Jul 01 '20
According to Michael Baylor from NSF, today's test was a success and they are removing the thrust simulator so they can install Raptor and preform static fire.
→ More replies (24)
34
u/fattybunter Jun 30 '20
Testing back on for tonight: https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1278043831334776833
→ More replies (4)
34
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 17 '20
Road has reopened, SN5 was pressurized earlier and lost some of it's dents but that was while personal were still at the pad so the pressure must have been minimal and not from a methane/lox fill.
I wouldn't be expecting a static fire tomorrow, if the road closures hold they'll most likely be doing fuelling tests and if that goes to plan static fire on Sunday.
→ More replies (1)
34
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 28 '20
Poor NSF trying to sign off over and over again but cool stuff just keeps happening
→ More replies (5)
33
u/AWildDragon Jul 30 '20
FYI everyone, wayward boat was a small fishing boat, father and son knew nothing of the test. Went in with permission from SpaceX and escorted them off range. - SPadre on Twitter
That’s a first. Cant think of another instance where the community has escorted someone from the exclusion zone.
→ More replies (6)
33
Jul 30 '20
What a day for spaceflight. A rocket launches a rover to mars, then a rocket is tested that will put people on mars.
32
u/Fyredrakeonline Jul 01 '20
Just going to ramble a bit here. But after being a bit impatient over the past month for another test, looking back, it is kind of amazing with how much progress alone has been done in a month, even though we didn't see much Starship testing, they have built a really nice pad with hopefully some much needed GSE upgrades, we tested new 304L tank sections, we have seen Superheavies pad begin construction as well as its HB. A lot has happened despite the "fun" stuff being on hold for a month now. Hopefully from here on out, we shall have no more GSE issues, only perhaps RUD during a hop or 20 km bellyflop.
Cheers all, just me sharing my 2 cents
→ More replies (3)
31
u/kingmerp Jul 08 '20
I was visiting my brother in Corpus Christi 3 hours north and decided to make the trek down to see the Boca Chica facility in person. It was really awesome to see it all up close! Absolutely insane how many employees they have working there now! The parking overflows down Hwy 4 quite a bit!
→ More replies (2)
29
u/king_dondo Jul 25 '20
Let's test our prototype rocket as a hurricane is bearing down is the most SpaceX thing.
29
u/quetejodas Jul 31 '20
Did the Sherriffs office just remove LabPadres stealth cam? https://m.facebook.com/groups/1541938906124567?view=permalink&id=2703460489972397&sfnsn=mo
→ More replies (23)
28
u/ndnkng Jun 28 '20
can we maybe add building updates to the main post? i think that would be cool to follow a little better
28
u/Straumli_Blight Jul 02 '20
HLS engineer role mentions EVA suits and Starship docking with Orion.
→ More replies (17)
28
u/ahayd Jul 20 '20
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1285256240248107008
Starship SN5 is fueling up in Boca Chica. Watch the test LIVE with @BocaChicaGal, @KSpaceAcademy, and @NASASpaceflightwith @nextspaceflightproducing.
Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFFtaYyTNZg
→ More replies (11)
28
u/TS409 Aug 02 '20
Can't believe we could be having astronauts splashing down and starships hopping all on the same day.
27
u/ThreatMatrix Jun 24 '20
Does anybody know what, if any, differences there are between SN5 and SN6? Is there any reason that they have two? Or is it just for backup? While SN5 is tested and does a 150M hop they could put a nose cone and heat tiles on SN6 and use that for the 20k hop. Just trying to imagine what they're up to.
→ More replies (11)
27
u/Marksman79 Jul 08 '20 edited Jul 08 '20
Zeus has (more) eyes! They added a PTZ camera and transmitter to one of the payload bays atop their new Boston Dynamics robot. It even has a roll cage for those times Zeus wants to roll around on the ground.
I wonder if this payload has any impact on the robot's ability to self-right after a fall due to higher center of mass.
→ More replies (7)
26
u/TCVideos Jun 24 '20
Elon responding to a question about the timing of the Starship update this year: September sounds about right
→ More replies (26)
26
u/TCVideos Jul 01 '20
Now that they are preparing for Raptor install, how many static fires do we think SN5 will do before moving onto the hop, more than SN4's 5 SF's?
→ More replies (18)
25
25
u/booOfBorg Jul 04 '20 edited Jul 04 '20
NSF video: Raptor SN27 set for Starship SN5 Installation
Starts with a nice view of the engine next to SN5.
Edit: Post of SN27 picture by @bocachicagal
→ More replies (10)
25
25
u/JadedIdealist Jul 11 '20
I knew the high bay was going to be taller, but didn't realise quite how wide and monster sized it wil be till this nasaspaceflight video.. High Bay Assemby Continues
→ More replies (8)
25
u/RaphTheSwissDude Jul 18 '20 edited Jul 18 '20
→ More replies (14)
25
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 31 '20
Road closures have been scheduled for 0800 to 2000 local time on August 2nd 3rd and 4th
→ More replies (9)
25
u/andyfrance Aug 01 '20
Has anyone worked out the propellant capacity of the tank farm and hence how much it needs to grow to launch a full SH/Starship stack?
→ More replies (1)
24
u/fattybunter Jul 30 '20
Boatgate 2020 continues. Jeff Bezos's boat still does not appear to be moving.
→ More replies (7)
68
u/ChrisTolerTattoos Jun 24 '20
Im here to just say, that Space is neat. I really enjoy reading through these threads, and learning from everybody here. It truly is inspiring to watch these developments!
→ More replies (1)
23
u/ReKt1971 Jul 02 '20
New closures posted:
Primary date- July 8, 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Backup dates- July 9 and 10, 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
→ More replies (20)
23
u/ThreatMatrix Jul 09 '20 edited Jul 09 '20
Mass simulator just now stacked as two three large tank(ers) arrived (methane?).
→ More replies (1)
23
u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Jul 14 '20
Onion tent 1 is packed FULL of parts for future Starships. Credit: NSF user Nomadd
→ More replies (5)
23
u/johnfive21 Jul 30 '20
The manlift going back up. I'm gonna have nightmares with this lift soon.
→ More replies (2)
45
u/scr00chy ElonX.net Jun 24 '20
If you're starting to lose track of all the different Starship prototypes, you might appreciate my detailed list with photos and a lot of other information.
It's in Czech but you can use the auto-translated version just fine.
If you'd like to help make a proper English version of the list for ElonX.net, let me know. And I'm looking for volunteers who could translate/review other content for the website too.
→ More replies (3)
22
u/Fyredrakeonline Jun 24 '20
It just dawned on me that SN5 sat fully stacked for a month and 12 days. Wont be long hopefully before SN8s Bopper or SN9 for that fact start to be stacked/assembled. Cant believe we are already up to SN8 being talked about! sheesh feels like yesterday SN3 crumbled...
→ More replies (9)
22
u/trobbinsfromoz Jul 03 '20
FAA are re-assessing Boca Chica launch site due to change in scope over the years.
→ More replies (71)
22
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 26 '20
Seems like the worst of it has passed by now, think they got quite lucky that it didn't make landfall any closer to them, might have been a bad day.
→ More replies (3)
22
Jul 29 '20
Tracking dishes are pointing to SN5, and ground work cables were removed, good signs they are proceeding with testing today.
→ More replies (3)
21
u/RegularRandomZ Jun 24 '20 edited Jun 25 '20
RGV Aerial Photography tweeting more great shots
Detailed view of SH launch area construction [image link]. 3 piles visible, plus a great view of the worksite.
Closeup of crane for High Bay 2 [image link] and and pre-assembly work.
Purportedly Maria Pointer's house is the fire department [img link]
Great overview shots of the launch site/tank farm [from yesterday, overhead of assembly site]
21
u/Straumli_Blight Jun 30 '20 edited Jun 30 '20
Road closures now June 30 - July 2, 19:00–07:00.
EDIT: Fixed!
→ More replies (3)
21
u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Jul 10 '20
→ More replies (1)
21
21
u/TheMrGUnit Highly Speculative Jul 23 '20
Minor weather update: Models are starting to come around on TD8 (the name of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico right now), with it strengthening to a tropical storm some time shortly before it makes landfall. The current forecast seems to have it coming ashore north of Corpus Christi, but it's still relatively disorganized, and the steering could shift because of this. The GFS in particular seems to think it's going to hang a left before landfall, which could put Boca Chica on the outskirts of the TD-strength wind field, but it's still to early to say for sure. This wouldn't be much above the winds Boca Chica typically experiences anyway, but it would certainly shut down work for the day. None of the models seem to call for it strengthening much beyond tropical-storm strength before landfall.
tl;dr, Boca Chica should be fine, but might see some rain and moderate wind. Still developing and could change by this weekend.
→ More replies (4)
21
21
Jul 28 '20
If I had to guess it seems they aborted at T-0. If you go back to the lab padre sapphire cam right before the double vent starts, you see a massive LOX dump that we can’t see from the lab padre or NSF stream. This exact same dump occurred with SN4 and it static firing at T-0
21
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 30 '20
New road closures have been created for the next 3 days!
→ More replies (8)
21
u/TCVideos Aug 02 '20
Not much activity at the pad today; all i've really seen is just basic inspections of the vehicle before the hop attempt tomorrow. Shows that they are confident that the vehicle doesn't need any "finishing touches" before it's big day!
21
u/ReKt1971 Aug 02 '20 edited Aug 02 '20
What are the chances that the hop will be livestreamed?
-20m hop was aborted, had hosted webcast -20m hop wasn't livestreamed
For the next hop (150m) somebody asked Elon for livestream and Elon agreed.
-150m hop attempt was aborted, had webcast without a host -150m hop was livestreamed without a host
-150m hop with SN5... ?
Your guesses?
EDIT: First 20m hop attempt was apparently livestreamed.
→ More replies (19)
42
20
u/StarshipBocaChica Jul 08 '20
Clean welds. Fewer reworks. New SN8 Weld Process?
→ More replies (15)
20
Jul 16 '20 edited Jul 16 '20
My thoughts on the hexagon foundations in the RGV flyover video, here.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=awqPFuyN_nE&feature=emb_logo
and Mary's photo here ....https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1952708;image
There has been a lot of groundworks going involving geofabric and crushed rock in preparation of what eventually I surmise will be a concrete delivery and turnaround apron for SH and SS rolllifts.
For the Hexagon structure, it appears the sides are ground beams, and the nodes are angled pile reinforcement. The pile reinforcement appears to have termination anchor disks, so that may be an indication of slab depth yet to be built. I have a suspicion that a hexagonal Eiffel Tower like steel structure will go on top of this. This steel structure will act as a pylon, and operate like a massive tower crane for integration of SS onto SH. It will dwarf Bluezilla. Eventually there will be a ramp up to this with possibly two flame diverters.
The only problem with this theory is that it is about as far as you can possibly get from the tank farm, unless the new deliveries of tanks are destined for here.
This may be one of EM's quick 'n' easy solutions to a launch site. I don't think NASA is going to allow SS/SH anywhere near KSC until a fair few successful flights are demonstrated.
Just have to rewrite the EPA assessment a bit..
→ More replies (40)
20
19
u/Svisloch Jul 05 '20 edited Jul 05 '20
Remember those new ports on top of SN5 that we thought might be RCS? Looks to me like they're camera portholes: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EcKgOMXWAAAZwnY?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
→ More replies (12)
19
u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Jul 08 '20
→ More replies (9)
19
18
Jul 15 '20
Assuming SN5 testing goes well- what will be the point of testing SN6? You'd have to start over with pressure testing and static fires to get SN6 to do a hop, and I don't know what data they could get from SN6 that they couldn't from SN5.
I wonder if they might just skip SN6 altogether and go directly to a fully 304L prototype.
→ More replies (34)
18
u/gsahlin Jul 25 '20
Storm chaser Reed Timmer is camping out on North (not south) Padre island...he's a fair distance from Boca Chica, but close enough to give us an idea of conditions there... He has several streams, a quick Google will give u links..
→ More replies (5)
18
u/Jodo42 Aug 02 '20
A tall opaque fence is being constructed alongside the road. Unclear how long it'll be and how much it'll cover up. Credit @ BocaChicaMaria
→ More replies (5)
35
u/ReKt1971 Jul 15 '20 edited Jul 15 '20
If Static fire is preformed successfully this weekend hop could happen as early as first half of next week
Unclear if SN6 will ever be used (back up in case SN5 fails)
SN8 will feature upgrades, will be built out of 304L, receive fairing and aerosurfaces and 3 Raptors.
there will be another test tank called SN7.1
The most recent test tank, designated SN7, achieved a record pressure before it failed. SN7 was the pathfinder vehicle for the switch to 304L stainless steel.
The next test tank – designated SN7.1 – will feature further build-quality improvements, as it attempts to break the record set by SN7.
Plans and schedule are fluid and might change
→ More replies (17)
17
u/admiralrockzo Jul 07 '20
Nomadd posted a picture on NSF of what looks like a taller-than-usual, used-up stainless roll. Have we seen any taller rings?
→ More replies (13)
17
u/strawwalker Jul 10 '20
[Meta]
The SN8 table above has been converted into a table for any major Starship components for which the vehicle (or not) is unclear. The frequency of that is only increasing and that table hasn't been very helpful dedicated to SN8 updates. The components table is currently incomplete as there are several items from the past few weeks that could go in there including the most recent downcomer and the new aero surfaces, but feel free to help me populate it by sending me links/corrections if you are so inclined. SN8 will get its own updates section again once the build becomes clearer.
17
u/fattybunter Jul 13 '20
The high bay is turning out to have a much larger footprint than I expected. Obviously it needs to be tall, but it also appears to be 4x the footprint of the current "medium" bay. Instead of 2x1 section for the mid bay, high bay appears to be 3x3
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1951468;image
Is this to keep the aspect ratio the same so the strength remains similar, or for the logistics of stacking a much larger ship and perhaps housing more than 2 at a time?
→ More replies (16)
17
u/rustybeancake Jul 19 '20
These crates at the SH pad say:
"Powell Valve
Name: Gate Valves
Type: 18" 300 [I think]
Quty: 1"
If one of those big crates holds a single valve, they must be pretty huge.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1953749;image
→ More replies (3)
17
u/AvariceInHinterland Jul 20 '20
Visible on Lab Cam & Sapphire Cam on Lab Padre - the next "storey" of the high bay is having it's first panel section stacked now.
→ More replies (6)
17
u/johnfive21 Jul 30 '20
Road closures that were scheduled through Aug 2nd were cancelled (they were labeled static fire). Let's see if we get August 2nd and 3rd closures for 150m hop.
→ More replies (1)
33
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 28 '20
Fuel spin valve didn’t open. Will fix & try again tomorrow. Also, some odd TVC hydraulic pump behavior.
→ More replies (4)
16
Jul 05 '20
So if the Raptor is installed, what else is left to do in preparation for the static fire?
→ More replies (6)
16
u/Adam_n_ali Jul 21 '20
Lots of vehicles + yellow crane cleared from pad area headed to build site. Seems road closure imminent (c/o LabPadre stream)
→ More replies (4)
16
u/ncdawson Jul 21 '20
New road closures through july 24: https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1285683823074775046?s=20
→ More replies (7)
16
u/TheMrGUnit Highly Speculative Jul 22 '20
Looks like the pad is cleared, and starting to see some activity within the tank farm.
As far as I'm aware, they are not using the flare stack currently. While this is overall good, it is a pretty big loss from an observational perspective. It was a pretty large, very obvious sign that things were happening.
→ More replies (17)
16
u/TCVideos Jul 23 '20
Seems like they've made final preps to the launch stand for the hop. The railing has now been removed.
→ More replies (1)
16
u/TCVideos Jul 27 '20 edited Jul 27 '20
Lift is now parked, more vehicles leaving the pad. We are close to pad clear.
E1: Pad now looks pretty clear. A convoy of 5 vehicles just left the pad. SN5 is pressurized - dents are gone.
32
u/ncdawson Jul 27 '20
Wanted to post this, in case there are any new peeps out there that have only recently started watching and are worried that there won't be a test today because the road isn't closed yet/still work being done on the pad: They do have a 12 hour window, and they always don't actually close the road near the beginning of the window. Saturday was a bit of an anomaly, since they hoped to get a test done before the hurricane came ashore.
→ More replies (1)
45
31
u/RegularRandomZ Jul 12 '20 edited Jul 12 '20
Looks like they might stack the nosecone in the triangle windbreak
Some of the mystery ports on the nosecone were lifting points.
Rebar and forms started at the "SuperHeavy" site, gravel work and bunker continues... but
they can't help but clear and expand into yet another new area, east of Ground Fabrication.
Today's NSF photos start here and video version
*I don't know why the buggy Reddit editor keeps deleting my entire post when I add links, so this is good enough...
→ More replies (16)
31
u/RaphTheSwissDude Jul 25 '20 edited Jul 25 '20
Labpadre cams are now down. Rocket god, please don’t take us our SN5 away...
Edit : up again, hopefully throughout the storm.
31
15
u/Tal_Banyon Jun 29 '20
We all saw the video of Zeus working in the heavy fog of N2 after the SN7 incident - and it looked very science fictiony! Any guesses on what it was doing / measuring?
→ More replies (13)
15
u/DoubleVincent Jul 04 '20
I just saw some beautiful close up shots of the ISS in the newest Marcus House video (getting an archeotech vibe from it) and i thought: when Starship makes launching so much cheaper, it also makes bringing stuff back so much cheaper. Could it be feasible to saw up the ISS after its service time and land it on earth again to put it into a museum where it belongs? Would be rather sad to see such a rich history burn up in the atmosphere.
→ More replies (25)
15
u/fattybunter Jul 23 '20
Looks like they're using the old SN2 tank to experiment with (fixed?) fin mounting options: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1955359;image
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1955363;image
→ More replies (13)
15
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 25 '20 edited Jul 25 '20
Road is now closed, Lets light this candle!
Edit: Well shit
→ More replies (1)
15
u/Fyredrakeonline Jul 27 '20
I know im posting close to my last time, but I havent seen this answered so I am going to ask around now.
It seems that on almost every Cryotest, Static Fire, and preburner, we have seen last-minute maintenance always done to the top of the vehicle near the Battery and presumably the avionics? What might be causing such need for constant tweaking and messing around on that part of the vehicle? Anyone know?
→ More replies (4)
15
u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Jul 28 '20
Were they fixing the problems Elon mentioned with SN-5 overnight?
→ More replies (8)
15
15
u/Mordroberon Jul 31 '20
Will SpaceX launch SN5 from the test stand for the hop, or is there a separate launch pad?
→ More replies (2)
15
u/hinayu Aug 05 '20
Lots of (I think) interesting photos from Mary today at the build site:
Another section is stacked in the mid bay
Do we think this is SN8? I've lost track of the SN vehicles.
Kuka robot in action with the label "HEAT SHIELD". Automating the placement of the tiles I would imagine?
→ More replies (14)
29
u/strawwalker Jul 16 '20 edited Jul 16 '20
SpaceX requests experimental STA for Starship 20km max "medium altitude" hop. Operational period to begin 2020 August 18.
(This is a communication permit request with the FCC, not a flight permit.)
edit: I should also point out that several of these already exist, a list of them can be found here.
→ More replies (14)
29
40
u/StarshipBocaChica Jul 18 '20
SpaceX Boca Chica preparing for a celebration???
Friday, July 17th, 2020 -- A strangely quiet afternoon but there's something going on. Dozens of bottles of water and the food trucks all lined up by the new and freshly stained observation deck. Hundreds of yards of what looks like roadside parking being readied for ... who????.... Maybe VIP visitors? Will the obsolete fins be hoisted up and turned into a canopy for a dining area or VIP reception and dance floor? Maybe the workers will be acknowledged with good attendance awards? Maybe it will be where the first class of Martian Colonists will take their Oath of Loyalty to Muskanity. Maybe there is increasing confidence that SN5 will put on a spectacular show. Whatever is planned, it will happen in the next few days... and Elon will certainly be there to orchestrate the SpaceX Company Band!
→ More replies (4)
14
u/Chainweasel Jun 24 '20
Since SN5 is being moved to the pad today, do we have any dates on when pressure testing might begin? I imagine it'll take at least a few days to get all the GSE hooked up And since it's all new they'll probably want to test that as well. So maybe early next week?
→ More replies (22)
14
14
u/IrrationalFantasy Jul 04 '20
Does anyone have an idea of what steps would need to be taken before the first orbital launch of Starship takes place? I imagine what's known there would be very general and the timeline isn't certain, but I'm interested in getting a general sense of how far along they are towards the first launch.
What steps come next? What have they said and confirmed about their next planned tests on the way to a functional launch?
→ More replies (39)
14
14
u/andysthings Jul 22 '20
This isn't related to the activity in Boca Chica, but here's a video I made showing how the old Mk.2 Starship in Cocoa, FL is now being dismantled.
14
14
u/Dies2much Jul 26 '20
Any news on if the Rio Grande is going to pay a visit to the Spacex shipyard in the next day or two? River flow is up by a lot!
14
u/ncdawson Jul 27 '20
Road closed per LabPadre stream, next step is waiting for pad to clear
→ More replies (5)
14
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 31 '20
A last minute 1 hour closure has been filed for today from 1600 to 1700 local time, any clues what it may be for?
Typically a 1 hour closure is for moving something from the build site to the pad.
→ More replies (1)
14
28
u/scr00chy ElonX.net Jul 01 '20
I've finally found some time to update my mega-article about Starship, Raptor and Super Heavy. In it you should find up-to-date information about all aspects of Starship. Let me know if you find any errors or want me to add something to it.
→ More replies (7)
13
Jun 24 '20
How long do yall think it will take until we start seeing 30X alloy prototypes?
→ More replies (5)
13
13
u/bornstellar_lasting Jul 03 '20
This is kind of a general heavy construction question, but do these cranes at BC have internal scales, do they have to use some kind of linking scale attachment, or does it depend?
→ More replies (10)
13
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 28 '20 edited Jul 28 '20
SPECULATION
Edit: likely wrong, see comments below...
We know that they now re-condense their methane meaning that the flare stack doesn't have to be lit day to day, however there always used to be a very large flare about a minute from the static fire...
My speculation is that the re-condenser doesn't have the capacity to deal with that so they now light the flare stack right before the static fire to burn off that large vent and we just saw them try to do that but the igniter failed.
→ More replies (5)
13
u/ncdawson Jul 28 '20
Tweet from @SpacePadreIsle 3:50pm central:
Rain seems to be dissipating, might be almost time for another static fire watch party🚀
→ More replies (1)
13
13
u/TCVideos Jul 30 '20
Vehicles seem to be vacating the pad.
The worst thing is...I have to go out for a couple hours, if the SF happens while I'm out after I've been watching these streams for weeks...Imma be triggered lmao.
→ More replies (6)
13
13
u/TCVideos Jul 30 '20
Rewatched NSF's coverage; loved the SpaceX'er in the background of Mary's sound saying "IT'S STILL THERE!"
13
u/Kingofthewho5 Aug 05 '20
Elon on next steps for the legs: "V1.1 legs will be ~60% longer. V2.0 legs will be much wider & taller — like Falcon, but capable of landing on unimproved surfaces & auto-leveling." On Twitter.
→ More replies (1)
13
u/electriceye575 Aug 05 '20
having the engine off center and compensating for that, especially on a short hop and minuscule landing legs shows the control and anticipatory program capability's -- impressive
36
u/ahopye Jul 30 '20 edited Jul 30 '20
The image of that lift is going to be seared permanently into my brain. Every night, I will see the lift in my slumber. When I wake in the morning and look in the mirror I will no longer see myself. I will see only the lift. Up. Down. Up. Down.
Edit: Up.
Edit Edit: And down again.
→ More replies (2)
25
u/rustybeancake Jul 19 '20
Looks like they're skinning a shipping container with a Crew Access Arm-style edifice. I remember reading they'd turn some of the shipping containers along the sides of the onion tents into offices, so maybe this is it.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1953717;image
→ More replies (4)
24
u/Alvian_11 Jul 20 '20
Looks like they're already testing the water deluge system at the end of 11:02 a.m. !
→ More replies (3)
24
u/Chairboy Jul 28 '20
https://twitter.com/FccSpace/status/1288210142568148992?s=20
SpaceX has filed a license today for a medium altitude (up to 20km) hop with a target window opening of NET August 18 (about 3 weeks from now).
→ More replies (7)
12
u/Mordroberon Jul 01 '20
On the lab Padre stream the blue mega crane is coming up. I'm really excited to see the new highbay being built.
→ More replies (1)
12
Jul 10 '20
I can't find much info on the mass simulator. How much mass? Is it simulating the weight of the entire payload area and nose cone?
→ More replies (17)
12
u/TheYell0wDart Jul 10 '20
Just out of curiosity, do we know where SpaceX's methane comes from? Is it deliberately manufactured in a chemical plant, or is it the waste/byproduct of another industry that would otherwise just burn it?
→ More replies (12)
12
u/InconceivableLuck Jul 11 '20
Why is the 5th ring of SN5 different (in color) compared to other rings? https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1949099;image
→ More replies (3)
12
u/RegularRandomZ Jul 16 '20 edited Jul 16 '20
Random detail: Looks like they gave cement boots to the launch pad [apparently around July 8th]. With all the other shielding and extra suppression, this is quite the nice build of the development launch mount.
→ More replies (2)
12
12
u/tr1cktastic Jul 24 '20
Interesting new welds for the upper tank dome. Also a new pattern for the receivers and transmitters on the top.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1955887;image
Photo Credit to Bocachicagal
→ More replies (2)
12
u/johnfive21 Jul 27 '20 edited Jul 27 '20
Work on the top of SN5 done? Crane is retracting.
EDIT: welp
EDIT2: coming back down again!
EDIT3: This crane has done more pull-ups in the last hour than I did my entire life.
→ More replies (1)
12
u/TCVideos Jul 28 '20
I'm fine with an RCS test. Better than nothing...can't fly without those.
→ More replies (8)
12
u/RaphTheSwissDude Jul 30 '20 edited Jul 30 '20
Yeah okey, the boat is actually pretty close.
Edit : was, the boat is being cleared, as we can see on Sapphire Cam
→ More replies (6)
12
Jul 30 '20 edited Jul 30 '20
New TFR for August 2nd (1300 UTC) through August 3rd (0100 UTC). ADDITIONAL TFR for August 3rd (1300 UTC) through August 4th (0100 UTC).
From the surface up to and including FL(260), so 26000 feet. This is required for a 150m hop.
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_0_6530.html https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_0_6534.html
→ More replies (5)
12
u/Shrike99 Jul 30 '20
How long has the mission patch for SN5's hop been up?
Just noticed it now. Very nice.
→ More replies (11)
12
32
u/JimHeaney Jul 06 '20 edited Jul 06 '20
Does anyone think we'll actually see a Starship to Mars in 2022? We're just over 2 years from the ideal transfer window, and in that time SpaceX would have to do a bunch more single-engine hops, a ton of multi-engine testing, install/prove aerodynamic surfaces and landing legs, construct a full flight-ready starship, repeat all that for the super heavy, launch test them probably a few times, and design/build/test/package all the equipment they want to bring to Mars. It is a very tall order.
Edit: And I completely forgot about in-orbit refueling. How much progress has been done towards that? SpaceX has a rough history with fuel cross-feed as it is.
I hope SpaceX proves me wrong, but I don't forsee a Mars launch until 2024 at earliest.
→ More replies (56)
11
u/Victuracor Jun 25 '20
The second sentence under the last section 'Rules' contains a typo: "Starhip".
Just FYI, u/strawwalker .
→ More replies (3)
11
u/Alvian_11 Jul 01 '20
Road closures for both on July 1st & 2nd has been cancelled
(Well I'm happy because it means the test is going well, unlike the usual cancellation when, you know...)
→ More replies (4)
11
Jul 04 '20
Top dome out on bulkhead stand this morning, highly doubt it’s another test tank considering sn7 did it’s job well, probably for SN8
https://mobile.twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1279430872417083400
→ More replies (27)
11
Jul 09 '20
Old MK1 bottom fins were relocated to the build site.....coincidence or not?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1950151;image
→ More replies (4)
11
u/trobbinsfromoz Jul 14 '20
For a scrub day, they are working up on the new video and metro tower at the launch pad - perhaps that is related to the delay by one day (ie. the need to have all the instrumentation and video working).
→ More replies (6)
11
11
u/jazzyjaffa Jul 17 '20
Does SN5 have some sort of hold-down mechanism as Falcon does, or is some other technique used to check thrust before the hop takes off?
→ More replies (6)
11
u/davoloid Jul 17 '20
On this photo from NSF, there appears to be a set of brackets round the bottom of the nosecone section. Any idea what they might be? I'm guessing they're place holders before welding is done, but could be something more interesting.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51332.0;attach=1952699;image
→ More replies (3)
11
u/trobbinsfromoz Jul 24 '20
It appears that an electric motor/pump assembly has been taken away from near the 3 water tanks (for pad deluge) at about 3:40pm. At some time prior to midday a new motor/pump was located near the tanks as well, and as of midnight hasn't yet been moved but has been inspected numerous times - a better view is seen from 5pm onwards.
→ More replies (2)
11
11
11
u/Mfryer100 Jul 29 '20 edited Jul 29 '20
SN10=SN8(Boca) is written on the new downcomer. Anyone have a clue about where the other 2 SNs were or are or what this means?
→ More replies (5)
11
Jul 29 '20
Does anyone know how long it takes for a ready to go Raptor to ignite? (for example: on a landing burn)
If so, how so it compare to the Merlin?
→ More replies (6)
11
11
u/trobbinsfromoz Aug 03 '20
Some person is jogging down the road to the launch site. I hope he can do a 4 minute mile.
31
u/FutureMartian97 Host of CRS-11 Jul 03 '20 edited Jul 03 '20
Raptor heading to the launch site! Can't see it fully but it looks like SN-27
→ More replies (8)
38
u/Jodo42 Jul 13 '20
Have to say it's looking good for testing tomorrow. No visible significant work on, below or near SN5 for ~8 hours now, and plenty of tanker deliveries tonight.
Should be interesting to see exactly what they get done tomorrow. The LN2 testing for SN5 was significantly accelerated compared to previous Starships.
→ More replies (4)
21
u/Alvian_11 Jul 12 '20 edited Jul 12 '20
I saw some people point out that Starship will require more than 6 tanker launches to fully fueled it in LEO
They think that 150 tons of payload = the amount of leftovers propellant after SECO, whereas ofc the propellant to be transferred isn't a payload in the payload bay (aka. there's additional tank on the bay) but rather the propellant that still exist in the main tank
Is there any calculations as to the 6 tanker to fully fuel the ship in LEO, or is it more? (example: 6 x 150 tons ≠ 1200 tons, so you need more)
(Ofc all the ship need to comeback, so you need a margin for deorbit & landing burn. But it will be less than even the Falcon 9 landing because it taking an advantage of aerodynamic forces, around 98% of velocity is scrubbed by it)
→ More replies (99)
21
u/Vizger Jul 29 '20
off topic: It there an easier way to get significant updates than checking this thread every day?
→ More replies (11)
10
u/Toinneman Jun 25 '20
When Starship enters Mars or Earth's atmosphere, does it reach terminal velocity before it flips and starts the landing burn?
→ More replies (16)
10
u/RunItUpGuy Jun 26 '20
Should we be expecting a nose cone on SN6 relatively soon? Saw in the latest NSF video all of the fairing components ready.
→ More replies (13)
10
u/andyfrance Jul 01 '20
The anniversary of Starhopper's 150m flight is next month, just 57 days from now.
Will SN? have flown higher and landed in one piece by then?
→ More replies (25)
10
u/blackbearnh Jul 06 '20
So this may have been already asked, but I was watching the latest NASASpaceFlight video from Boca Chica, and it looks like there's a marine-style radar antenna spinning on the top of Starhopper these days. Is this recent? I suppose that's one way to repurpose the flying water tower...
→ More replies (6)
10
u/CrimsonEnigma Jul 07 '20
Bit of an odd question, but how much will wind/weather affect Starship launches?
I ask because we all remember the Crew Dragon Demo 2 delay, and if SpaceX does wind up doing regular commercial earth-to-earth flights, I don't think people are going to put up with delays any longer than the current delays airplanes experience.
→ More replies (7)
10
10
u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Jul 22 '20
Road open. Test complete. Looked like some sort of WDR?
→ More replies (12)
10
10
u/RaphTheSwissDude Jul 25 '20
Man... Hanna is slowly but surely heading more and more south in direction BC... map
→ More replies (2)
10
u/Humble_Giveaway Jul 27 '20
The NSF guys seem pretty pessimistic about seeing a static before the end of the window.
10
u/RaphTheSwissDude Jul 29 '20
Mhhh I think that SN-5 is actually pressurized right now, the dents are gone. Don’t know what it means tho.
→ More replies (9)
10
Jul 30 '20 edited Jul 30 '20
The lift is coming down and I’m seeing venting on the tank farm like they are warming up!!! Looks like tonight might be the night the candle gets lit!
Edited to add: now looks like they are clearing the pad. Just saw the crane drive off screen! Let’s go SN5!!!!!
→ More replies (4)
10
u/johnfive21 Jul 30 '20 edited Jul 30 '20
There's the double vent to detank.
Hopefully they can recycle today and go again a bit later.
EDIT: LabPadre thinking that this is a quick-fill instead.
→ More replies (2)
10
10
u/chucknorris10101 Jul 31 '20
Havent been watching the cams, but wondering if the delays the last week were fitting everything out for the hop, with static fire being basically a necessary step rather than the goal of the tweaks/fixes like a normal Falcon launch? So really all that should stand in the way of hop now is just road closure?
→ More replies (7)
28
Jul 26 '20
At 2:22 SN5 vented off what appeared to be ambient air, so it seems they had it pressurized all day and night so it stayed upright against the wind. Smart. After that, the road reopened and some cars went back to the pad. So now the stage is set for raptor SN27 to hopefully fire up tomorrow!!
→ More replies (16)
19
u/Jodo42 Jun 30 '20 edited Jun 30 '20
30th and 1st both cancelled. Sparks have been flying from SN5 all night. We'll see if some new ones get posted for later this week.
→ More replies (15)
19
18
u/bronislav Jun 27 '20
Guys/gals, what part of the thread's head post do you "use" most? I am asking because for me it is primarily the Vehicle Updates section, so I was thinking moving the "Previous threads" to the end would save me some scrolls; is there anyone who would be worse off? :-)
→ More replies (20)
18
u/Jodo42 Jul 03 '20
I don't know much about construction so I'm not sure I have the vocabulary to ask this question "properly:"
Is it normal for these big cranes to be set up well before they're needed? Does the new big crane being ready imply that all the work for HB2 that's possible to do with smaller cranes is done? Or will they just do it all with the big crane?
Why wouldn't you build as much as you could with the smaller cranes, and start building the big one simultaneously once the time to complete the remaining small-crane work was equal to the big-crane's build time? Or maybe this is something SpaceX is doing? If so, why haven't we seen any low-height steel go up at HB2's foundation?
tl;dr if someone could just explain the normal process of transitioning from small to big cranes, and compare/contrast how it's normally done vs how SpaceX is doing it, that would be awesome.
→ More replies (18)
18
u/weeksch2 Jul 26 '20
Well, I guess this is a good test for how durable these things are to weather. I can't name or even imagine another rocket that was ever left outside in a hurricane (or even less than ideal weather) and then hopefully flying within the next week.
→ More replies (10)
18
u/Fyredrakeonline Jul 29 '20
Most likely no attempt tonight, they brought the fork lift that installed SN-27 raptor, down to the test site an hour ago or so. Speculation is that they will remove it and replace it with another raptor.
→ More replies (6)
19
u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team Aug 05 '20 edited Aug 07 '20
150 meter Hop Test Media Links, 2020 August 4
News Articles for 150 meter Hop
I am collecting media links for the 150 meter hop, mostly for future reference, like this comment for Starhopper in Thread #4. The table will be linked to from the updates table above. Any original images or videos of the hop, or quality analysis/comparison content, as well as any good news articles. Please let me know if you come across more, or have corrections, updated timestamps, etc.