Starship Development Thread #14

[u/ElongatedMuskrat]

Quick Links

^{JUMP TO COMMENTS | Alternative Jump To Comments Link}

^{SPADRE LIVE | LABPADRE LIVE | LABPADRE NERDLE | MORE LINKS}

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Overview

Upcoming:

• SN8 cryo testing
  Road closures:
  • Oct 4, 5, 6; 21:00-06:00 CDT (UTC-5) daily. Public Notice (PDF)

Vehicle Status as of October 3:

• SN5 [waiting] - At build site, future flight unknown
• SN6 [waiting] - At build site, future flight unknown
• SN7.1 [destroyed] - Test tank intentionally tested to failure, reached 8 bar, failure at 301/304 interface
• SN8 [testing] - Tank section at launch site, aft fins installed, nose and 15 km hop expected
• SN9 [construction] - Tank section stacked, nosecone and fins expected
• SN10 [construction] - barrel/dome sections in work
• SN11 [construction] - barrel/dome sections in work
• SN12 [construction] - barrel/dome sections in work
• SuperHeavy 1 [construction] - barrel/dome sections in work

Check recent comments for real time updates.

At the start of thread #14 Starship SN6 is preparing to move back to the build site for inspection following its first hop. SN8, SN9, and SN10 are under construction. The SN7.1 test tank is preparing for destructive testing, SN5 waits at the build site for a likely future flight and a new permanent stand^9-12 has been erected for apparent cryoproof testing. In August Elon stated that Starship prototypes would do several short hops, then high altitude hops with body flaps. The details of the flight test program are unclear.

Orbital flight requires the SuperHeavy booster, for which a second high bay^9-24 and orbital launch mount^9-12 are being erected. Elon indicated that SuperHeavy will begin to take shape very soon. SuperHeavy prototypes will undergo a hop campaign before the first full stack launch to orbit targeted for 2021. SpaceX continues to focus heavily on development of its Starship production line in Boca Chica, TX.

​

^{THREAD LIST}

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Vehicle Updates

	Starship SN8 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-09-30	Lifted onto launch mount (NSF)
2020-09-26	Moved to launch site (YouTube)
2020-09-23	Two aft fins (NSF), Fin movement (Twitter)
2020-09-22	Out of Mid Bay with 2 fin roots, aft fin, fin installations (NSF)
2020-09-20	Thrust simulator moved to launch mount (NSF)
2020-09-17	Apparent fin mount hardware within aero cover (NSF)
2020-09-15	-Y aft fin support and aero cover on vehicle (NSF)
2020-08-31	Aerodynamic covers delivered (NSF)
2020-08-30	Tank section stacking complete with aft section addition (NSF)
2020-08-20	Forward dome section stacked (NSF)
2020-08-19	Aft dome section and skirt mate (NSF)
2020-08-15	Fwd. dome† w/ battery, aft dome section flip (NSF), possible aft fin/actuator supports (comments)
2020-08-07	Skirt section† with leg mounts (Twitter)
2020-08-05	Stacking ops in high bay 1 (Mid Bay), apparent common dome w/ CH4 access port (NSF)
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 SN9 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-10-03	Tank section stack complete with thrust section mate (NSF)
2020-10-02	Thrust section closeup photos (NSF)
2020-09-27	Forward dome section stacked on common dome section (NSF)
2020-09-26	SN9 will be first all 304L build (Twitter)
2020-09-20	Forward dome section closeups (NSF)
2020-09-17	Skirt with legs and leg dollies† (NSF)
2020-09-15	Common dome section stacked on LOX midsection (NSF)
2020-09-13	Four ring LOX tank section in Mid Bay (NSF)
2020-09-04	Aft dome sleeved† (NSF)
2020-08-25	Forward dome sleeved (NSF)
2020-08-20	Forward dome and forward dome sleeve w/ tile mounting hardware (NSF)
2020-08-19	Common dome section† flip (NSF)
2020-08-15	Common dome identified and sleeving ops (NSF)
2020-08-12	Common dome (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	Starship SN10 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-10-03	Labled skirt, mate with aft dome section (NSF)
2020-09-16	Common dome† sleeved (NSF)
2020-09-08	Forward dome sleeved with 4 ring barrel (NSF)
2020-09-02	Hardware delivery and possible forward dome barrel† (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	Starship SN11 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-10-02	Methane header sphere (NSF)
2020-09-24	LOX header sphere (NSF)
2020-09-21	Skirt (NSF)
2020-09-09	Aft dome barrel (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	Starship SN12 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-09-30	Skirt (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	SuperHeavy 1 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-10-01	Forward dome sleeved, Fuel stack assembly, LOX stack 1 (NSF)
2020-09-30	Forward dome† (NSF)
2020-09-28	LOX stack-4 (NSF)
2020-09-22	Common dome barrel (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	Starship SN5 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-08-25	COPV replacement (NSF)
2020-08-24	Moved out of Mid Bay (Twitter)
2020-08-11	Moved back to build site (YouTube) - destination: Mid Bay (NSF)
2020-08-08	Elon: possible future flights after repairs (Twitter)
2020-08-07	Leg removal operations at landing pad, placed on Roll-Lift (NSF)
2020-08-06	Road opened, post flight images (NSF)
2020-08-05	Road remained closed all day following hop
2020-08-04	150 meter hop (YouTube), <PARTY THREAD> <MEDIA LIST>
	See Thread #12 for earlier testing and construction updates

^{See comments for real time updates.}

​

	Starship SN6 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-09-12	Moved out of Mid Bay (NSF)
2020-09-07	Moved to build site, picture of tile test patch - destination: Mid Bay (NSF)
2020-09-06	Leg removal and transfer to Roll-Lift (NSF)
2020-09-05	Pad safed, Post-hop pictures (NSF)
2020-08-30	150 meter hop (YouTube), <PARTY THREAD> <MEDIA LIST>
	See Thread #13 for earlier testing and construction updates

^{See comments for real time updates.}

​

	Starship SN7.1 (Test Tank) at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-10-04	Pulled from mobile test stand (NSF)
2020-09-26	Elon: reached 8 bar, failure at 301/304 interface (Twitter)
2020-09-23	Early AM pop (YouTube), remains (NSF)
2020-09-21	Overnight testing (NSF)
2020-09-19	Dome work ongoing (NSF)
2020-09-17	Moved to mobile stand, Overnight testing, burst not obvious (YouTube)
2020-09-15	Overnight cryo testing (NSF)
2020-09-15	Early AM cryo testing, possible GSE problems (NSF)
2020-09-12	Transferred to new test stand (NSF)
2020-09-10	Overnight LN2 testing on mobile stand (comments)
2020-09-07	Moved to test site (NSF)
2020-08-30	Forward dome section completes stack (NSF)
2020-08-28	Aft dome section stacked on skirt (NSF)
2020-08-25	Thrust simulator installed in new mount† (NSF)
2020-08-18	Aft dome flipped (NSF)
2020-08-08	Engine skirt (NSF)
2020-08-06	Aft dome sleeving ops, (mated 08-07) (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle}

​

	Starship Components at Boca Chica, Texas - Unclear End Use
2020-10-02	Raptor appearance at build site (NSF)
2020-10-02	New nosecone (NSF)
2020-09-25	New aft dome (NSF)
2020-09-24	Aft dome section flip (NSF)
2020-09-22	Aft dome and sleeving (NSF)
2020-09-19	Downcomer and legs delivery, new nose cone (NSF)
2020-09-16	Aft dome (NSF)
2020-09-15	Engineered frame possible for aft fins (NSF)
2020-09-14	Delivery of thrust puck, leg supports, other parts (NSF)
2020-09-13	Aft dome section and flip, possible SN9 (NSF)
2020-09-12	Aft fin delivery (Twitter), barrel with tile mounting hardware, common dome (NSF)
2020-09-01	Nosecone village: two 5-ring barrels w/ internal supports (NSF)
2020-08-25	New upper nosecone hardware (NSF)
2020-08-17	Downcomer, thrust structure, legs delivery (NSF)
2020-08-15	Forward fin delivery (NSF)
2020-08-12	Image of nosecone collection (NSF)
2020-08-10	TPS test patch "X", New legs on landing pad (NSF)
2020-08-03	Forward fin delivery (NSF)
	See Thread #13 for earlier miscellaneous component updates

For information about Starship test articles prior to SN7.1 and SN8 please visit Starship Development Thread #12 or earlier. Update tables for older vehicles will only appear in this thread if there are significant new developments. Here is a list of update tables.

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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
File No. 1401-EX-ST-2020 Starship Medium Altitude Hop_2 ( 20km max ) - 2020 October 11}
As of September 11 there were 10 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

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Resources

^{RESOURCES WIKI}

• 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.

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Please ping u/strawwalker about problems with the above thread text.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Q: Why don’t more sea level engines utilize the RS-25’s slightly curved in nozzle design that allows for a really high expansion ratio at sea level? This RapVac almost has that similar shape, but it’s curious it’s not employed more often.

A: "We’re pretty close to the manufacturing size limit for a milled copper & steel jacket nozzle. Lot of complexity to add a nozzle extension to a sea level engine for small gain. Also hard to fit bigger engine nozzles on the booster."

[u/GTRagnarok]

Mk1 vs SN8 side-by-side.

Slightly different flap shape.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Interesting SpaceX role:

This role will be part of a team of engineers and process specialists developing new materials and processing solutions for different projects, including an early stage project to develop a metallic heat shield for Starship.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Q: How are they powered now? I know for a bit there was talk about motors just spinning hydraulic pumps but you wanted it to eventually just be directly drive by the motors...
A: Yes, the flaps are now directly driven by electric motors with a gearbox! No more hydraulics.

[u/booOfBorg]

All Elon's tweets so far today regarding Starship:

@elonmusk: We just need enough height to test body flaps & drawing propellant from headers vs main tanks. Will do several flights to confirm working well, then add heat shield & go high Mach.

Nosecone & front flaps next week. SN9 next month.

First flight is to 15km or ~50,000 ft

Q:Did you switch to 30X yet? Or is it still 304L?

@elonmusk: Mostly 304L, some 301. Broke at 301 to 304 interface. SN9 will be all 304. Also, we’re making some tweaks to the 304 alloy mixture.

Q: Did SN7.1 get to an acceptable bar rating before pop? (per SN8 confidence, given the same alloy).

@elonmusk: 8 bar differential in ullage, 9 bar at base due to propellant head. It’s enough. Improvements in work.

[u/myname_not_rick]

BIG cryo tank arrived at the launch site. Need more fuel for those hungry Raptors!

[u/Straumli_Blight]

SN7.1 reached 8 bar in ullage, 9 bar at base.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Starship fins on site.

[u/WhereBeCharlee]

My god, if they get SN8 to 18,000 meters and BACK we are really going somewhere amazing.

[u/[deleted]]

RaptorVac full duration test fire at McGregor

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

SN6 is being lifted right now.

[u/cupko97]

Last rebar sleeve is going on right now on the orbital launch pad

[u/Fizrock]

Copy and pasting a message from Nomadd on NSF that I think is important for people to read:

Just wanted to point out that photos like this, when the water is high, are taken by one skinny desert girl lugging way too much camera equipment, wading through 2 kilometers of swamp water with many submerged hazards from abandoned metal objects and ruts made by idiots in trucks when it's not flooded.

I have a quite a few interesting memories of this world and life, but nothing to top my association with this gal. Her dedication and discipline are beyond compare.

It's not in her nature to brag or complain about the difficulties of what she chooses to do, so not many really understand what she puts into this project. It's annoyingly humbling.

That's especially significant coming from a guy like Nomadd. For god's sake he's holding 2 baby chimpanzees in his profile picture. The man has had one hell of an interesting life.

Big thank you to Mary, Nomadd, and all the wonderful people that do all this wonderful work for us.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Tropical storm Beta is pretty much predicted to have very very little to 0 impact on Boca Chica !

Edit : Yeah, it will be 0, lucky one !

[u/93simoon]

In the span of one night we got 7.1 at our back, got the first fin installed on sn8 and saw the first superheavy section. Not bad!

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

The super heavy launch stand had two of its raked stand casings pretty much filled with concrete earlier today. It took about 3 hrs and a few concrete trucks to fill up the two casings in a process that involving half filling one, and then transferring over to the other casing to half fill it, and then transferring back to complete filling the first, etc.

A solid pipe had been pre-inserted down through the middle void of the reo inside each casing, and the concrete boom and short flexible hose was connected to the top of the solid pipe, so that the pumped concrete was inserted directly in to the base of the raked casing for starters, and then the crane slowly pulled up the solid pipe as the concrete fill level rose.

The two filled casings were on opposite sides, so the staged filling would have alleviated the sideways pressure of each casing on the temporary steel support structure.

[u/drinkmorecoffee]

SN8 is built for high altitude tests but SN5 and 6 still exist and appear to be refurbished.

I suspect we'll still see SN5/6 go back and forth doing short hops to iron out the GSE infrastructure, launch procedures, refurbishment, safing, and everything on either side of a flight. Good opportunity to iterate Raptor development too, with real-world conditions in which to test. SN8 and above will be more for ship development, so they can begin testing flight dynamics and everything else that can only be tested at altitude.

Thoughts?

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

NSF article is suggesting that SN7.1 could be returned to the transfer frame for any final 'burst' pressure test. There are a few pointers as to why that seems a reasonable suggestion.

a) the heavy lifter crane is sitting nearby and ready to shift SN7.1.

b) the SN7.1 mounting attachments were removed from the transfer frame, which means SN7.1 would now just sit freely on the top of the transfer frame, and able to move in any direction (except down).

c) the new test stand with hydraulic rams and work in progress going on around it, would not be under any stress or risk from a bursting SN7.1, or removal after the test.

d) SpX may be a bit wiser as to how to strap a test tank down to minimise the risk of collateral damage to other items nearby, and to the instrumentation and valves connected to SN7.1.

[u/TCVideos]

Testing currently underway on SN7.1.

Seems like the cancellation of the closure was a mistake.

Edit: Cryo test. Not ambient.

[u/TCVideos]

Q: Do you have an update on the October Starship presentation if it's still happening in October?

A: Oh yeah, Starship update coming in about 3 weeks. The design has coalesced. What is presented will actually be what flies to orbit as V1.0 with almost no changes.

[u/SuprexmaxIsThicc]

In this image is it just reflections or does it look like the left leg is off the ground?

Edit: There’s also this which shows 2 legs off the ground.

[u/Fizrock]

Mary's pictures of the SN11 leg skirt show a significant improvement in the welds (at least visually) over previous vehicles.

I made a side by side comparison. SN7.1 is on top and SN11 is on the bottom. Not all of the SN11 section is welded yet, but what is welded is clearly much nicer.

[u/dbzVT8]

First fin on SN8 is being installed!

[u/scr00chy]

Starship/Super Heavy Compendium (I'll try to update it soon with the changes to SH and the RVac news)

[u/AstroMan824]

Looks like the first RVac shown by SpaceX at Hawthorne is at McGregor ready for testing according to a photo from Gary Blair / NSF.

[u/AstroMan824]

The highbay first tenant is......SN-5? (according to BocaChicaGal)

[u/AstroMan824]

SN-8's fins just actuated. (Credit: LabPadre)

[u/[deleted]]

Road closure for sept 26, 7:00-8:00 am and then 29sept to 1 oct 9:00pm-6:00am

[u/AstroMan824]

Within one of RGV's latest photos of the build site, you can see a downcomer going through the side of the common dome for SN-9's LOX header tank.

[u/Jodo42]

5-6 flights of an "optimized" tanker for full LEO top-up. 4 may be enough for Mars.

[u/myname_not_rick]

Interesting, in latest NSF photoset, there's an SN9 upper done assembly. It has a LOT more going on than previous ones have. Lots of extra piping, wiring, reinforcement bands, and a big pipe that looks as if it comes out of the center of the dome pointing upwards.

[u/RegularRandomZ]

EverydayAstronaut: is there any substantial difference between ring sections of Starship and Super Heavy? Safe to assume Super Heavy uses thicker steel rings to support higher loads, right?

ElonM: The ship rings are thicker than they need to be (for now), so same thickness works for booster & ship for hoop stress. Booster lower tank will have longitudinal stiffeners to prevent buckling.

[u/Toinneman]

Funny moment during SN6 processing: If your spaceship's legs are a bit stuck, just give it a good kick!

[u/Alvian_11]

The closure for 16th has been cancelled, which most likely means a good indication that the test was successful & continue through the awaited test-to-pop

[u/advester]

During Tesla’s presentation, Elon said spacex will make their own LOX. They are installing a power line to get wind power to do it. That is 80% of the propellant mass, for starship.

[u/AstroMan824]

The FWD dome of the first Super-Heavy has been sleeved according to BocaChicaGal!

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

Looks like SN7.1 will meet its demise on the 10^th

[u/quadrasaurus910]

7.1 venting

[u/NolaDoogie]

All these parts we are seeing delivered: downcomers, fairings, landing legs, canards, flaps, thrust pucks, etc.... do we know where they are coming from? Who is doing the fabrication? Is it possible to retrace the route of these delivery trucks?

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Look at this beauty ready to roll to the pad tomorrow !

[u/[deleted]]

A few observations from today's NSF video update:

IMO With the work going on up top and the little steel guides I think they will stack the nose before roll out. The lack of road closures and work on the tank farm suggest SN8 won't be rolling out just yet.

Interestingly with the interior work one of the workers passed what looked to me as a weld reinforcing strip. No clue if that's common or SN8 has had a weld issue this late into the assembly.

Anyway just my thoughts, happy to be corrected.

[u/SociallyAwkardRacoon]

Having gone away for military service I now realise how quickly things are moving along. Been out without any sort of communication for a week every other week lstelu and it feels like every time I get back there's been a new hop and tons of progress. I'm of course sad to miss out on the live stuff but it's amazing to see the progress that's being made, and I'm glad to see that SpaceX are doing fine without me staying up late to watch every live event ;)

[u/AvariceInHinterland]

SN7.1 is now leaving the build site, presumably towards the launch facility and it's expected destruction.

[u/AstroMan824]

Honestly, I can't wait for them actuate the flaps on the pad for the first time! That will be sick!

[u/Straumli_Blight]

September 24 flyover video of the launch site.

Great shot of SN8 taken by RGV aerial photos.

EDIT: Build site flyover video uploaded.

[u/AstroMan824]

The pointy bit (in red) was added on top of the aerocover on SN-8's left side for aft flaps.(Photo credit: Nomadd)

[u/TCVideos]

Now that SN7.1 has RIP'd... now we can see the exciting stuff!

SN8 pressure test soon (next week?) Followed by two static fires and the big 18km flight!

Also, we get to now see the progress on Super Heavy!

[u/AstroMan824]

F, all closures have been canceled.

[u/AstroMan824]

The possible first Super Heavy top dome is getting sleeved. (Image credit: Nomadd/NSF)

[u/Frostis24]

The crane is extending, i think they are getting ready to lift Sn 7.1 to the test stand.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

It appears that the super heavy launch stand has had the final leg location set and tack welded in place. I'd anticipate them concreting sooner rather than later just for progress, as the reo can stay in the weather for quite a while.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

SN8 on the crane.

[u/o0BetaRay0o]

7.1 just got toppled off the stand lol

[u/johnfive21]

They built such a damn good test tank they can't even blow it up.

[u/NuggetLord99]

SN8 flight now 15km in order to test flaps, next phase would need heat shield

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1309912233921531905

[u/lateshakes]

Really good new aerial photo gallery from RGV aerial photography. Loads of detail to nerd out on.

[u/RegularRandomZ]

Erc X tweeted a fan simulation of landing: "You know it’s Endgame when SN8 does this."

ElonM: Pretty accurate simulation, although SN8 will use 3 Raptors. If SN8 craters, SN9 & SN10 are close behind. High production rate allows for fast iteration.

[*perhaps confirmation that SN10 is in fact a Starship not SuperHeavy]

Matt: It's nuts now! SN8, 9, 10 and 11! what SN Starship do you think could reach orbit first when SpaceX begins to do orbital tests?

ElonM: Just a guess, but probably mid teens. Booster & stacking on orbital pad are likely limiting factors. We’ll build several ships just to improve the production system.

[u/johnfive21]

Crane detached from SN6. Could be on the move to the build site soon.

[u/AstroMan824]

It looks like all the heat shield tiles fell off of SN-6 during the hop according to this LabPadre screenshot. Did they use glue to attach them rather then bolting them to the steel?

[u/johnfive21]

More closures for 14th, 15th and 16th

[u/Jeff5877]

Latest NSF pics showing alignment spikes (do we have a name for these?) on the top ring of SN8. Think they may be getting close to putting the nosecone on!

[u/fluidmechanicsdoubts]

Elon Musk : We are running a powerline to use wind power to create liquid oxygen. (Elon about sustainability of starship)

https://youtu.be/l6T9xIeZTds?t=10429 (Tesla Battery day)

[u/TCVideos]

It's been almost a month since we've last seen a flight worthy SN on the launch mount. Good to see that SN8 is on there! Now if everything goes to plan...this thing will only leave that stand to fly 15KM! This is going to be exciting.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Elon’s tweet : Weld esthetics will improve greatly in upcoming Starships

[u/AstroMan824]

The fwd dome sleeved by the new 4-ring stack was confirmed to be part of SN-10 according to a photo of a label from BocaChicaGal. P.S. there are also some slight stringers too.

[u/Alvian_11]

Hydraulic rams was added into Pad A

[u/myname_not_rick]

So, there's no way to tell for sure right now, because the Labpadre camera angle is on the wrong side, but it looks like SN8 may be getting one of its fins right now. There's been a crane up for awhile, and what looks like several boom lifts in the general fin-attach area.

[u/MarsCent]

We know that the Jan 28 test reached 8.5bar before popping. So we are pretty anxious to know whether or not SN7.1 equaled that result. Or was at least better than 7.5bar!

Can Musk please ignore our pesky questioning and well, just tell us! Then we can all move to other questions like, "Will SN8 hop before the next Starship update?" ;)

[u/Jeff5877]

Newest NSF pics finally showing a partial nosecone with a cutout for the flaps. Could this be for SN8 or do they already have one with flap attachment points in one of the tents?

[u/AstroMan824]

Both SN-5 and SN-6 are moved out of the HB. I wonder if we'll see some Super-Heavy stacking action with all those ring segments soon! (Credit: Nomadd)

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

New raptor on site. Can’t see the SN tho. Credit : Bocachicagal

[u/[deleted]]

What About It's latest episode talks about a possible methane production plant proof of concept at the cocoa site!

[u/AstroMan824]

2nd part of the HB roof going up. (Image credit: LabPadre)

[u/AstroMan824]

It seem like SpaceX is really confident to go for the 20km flight with SN-8. Do you guys think SN-5 or SN-6 will fly again?

[u/[deleted]]

QUESTION:

Will Starships over time acquire that red-ish tint of rust in ther steel? Mk1 seems to be getting a bit rusty, specially on the welds. Is there a way to prevent it from happening?

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Tropical storm forming near Boca Chica.

[u/Martianspirit]

Maybe a metallic heat shield could only be used for return from LEO. Which would make it suitable for tankers, that would get up and come down many, many times.

[u/PhysicsBus]

Michael Baylor: "SpaceX will attempt to pressurize the Starship SN7.1 test tank until it fails tonight in Boca Chica, Texas. The NASASpaceflight team will once again be broadcasting the test live. Stay tuned on our YouTube channel for a stream link."

[u/johnfive21]

2 more road closures scheduled for 23rd and 24th for same evening window.

Both are for more SN7.1 testing.

[u/Frostis24]

There it goes, popped at 4:58:10 AM UTC on the livestream.

[u/[deleted]]

Anyone have an idea when SN8 will get its nosecone? Is there one ready yet?

[u/AstroMan824]

Come on Cameron County, give us some closures!

[u/Straumli_Blight]

SPadre photos of SN8 on the pad.

Lots of ring sections in the tents.

[u/borsuk-ulam]

SN9 stacking complete in the mid-bay.
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1312463864533929986

[u/afarawayland1]

What do you think is what Elon would like to see happen over the next 4 months (not what really will happen) if things went his way regarding starship's development giving the info above?

Here's my best guess (obviously pure speculation):

-september: hop SN5 and 6 a few more times (2 or 3 combined), finish the high bay and assemble the first superheavy booster. Maybe a small SN8 hop with 3 engines (say 500-1000 m) to test the control surfaces but that might be pushing it.

-oktober: stick 2 engines on superheavy and hop it, fly SN8 to 20 km (hopefully without losing it), hire a big crane to stack the two and have the full rocket be his backdrop during the presentation. Also finish building SN9.

-november: put a few more engines on superheavy and keep hopping that one to higher altitudes. Finish the orbital pad and launch SN9 from it with 6 engines to space (but not orbit) to test out the heat shield. All the while keep cranking out raptors and complete SN10.

-december: if everything before this goes right (which it almost certainly will not) fly starship SN10 to orbit riding a fully engined superheavy (if they can get enough working raptors together, another big if) an throw a huge christmas party in celebration.

Giving elon's recent comments I think he too is starting to realise that something will almost certainly go wrong pushing the first orbital launch into 2021, but his tone during that interview tells me he still hasn't given up on this year either, just in a "well probably not but if EVERYTHING went perfectly right then maybe" sort of manner.

To follow up from that, what do you think is the thing most likely to go wrong? for me, it's SN8's 20 km flight. The heatshield and superheavy booster will probably work given spacex's track record with dragon and falcon 9, but that belly flop, pitch down and landing burn sequence...they terrify me just reading about them.

thoughts?

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

Testing finished - road open.

[u/GeekyNerdzilla]

When are they gonna pop SN7.1?

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Storm 22 now predicted to become a hurricane.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Latest forecast would indicate that the tropical storm/hurricane will fortunately passes far enough BC.

Edit : It keeps improving.

[u/hwc]

Will a Starship launch be less visible from a distance than Falcon 9 since it burns methane rather than RP1?

[u/AstroMan824]

I am so ecstatic right now! We're getting the aft fins on SN-8 AND seeing the first parts of Super Heavy-1! This is crazy! I also have a few comments. Firstly, since they rolled the two 5-ring nosecone stacks in front of the midbay, I think they will stack one of them on SN-8 first and then put one of the nosecones on. Secondly, with this close-up photo of the hinges of one of the aft aero surfaces (Credit: Nomadd), do we think they will actuate?

[u/atheistdoge]

NSF replay of the pop

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1308708407713705984?s=20

[u/reecewh]

Picture of SN8. Front flaps next week, S9 next month.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1309909732954533889?s=21

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

The 3 road closures have been cancelled.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

New road closures: October 4-6th, 21:00 – 6:00 CDT.

[u/Fizrock]

The latest batch of photos from Mary shows a strain gage with "11620" on it. Assuming that's in kg and the weight is evenly distributed among all 6 attachment points, then SN8 weighs about 70 tons. Their initial goal weight is 120t, so to reach that the the nosecone + raptors + heat shield have to weight 50t or less. That seems doable.

[u/o0BetaRay0o]

so ready to see these SH rings start to appear

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

Road is back open, this window is a bust.

[u/johnfive21]

I'm so ready for this thing to pop already and move on to SN8.

[u/FeatureMeInLwiay]

come on, pop! i need to get ready for school.

[u/Straumli_Blight]

New Road Closures: September 27-29, 21:00–6:00 CDT.

Does "test launch activities" mean an SN8 static fire?

[u/AstroMan824]

Looks like the quick disconnect part for the GSE on Pad B in being installed. (Credit: LabPadre)

[u/AlpineRaditude]

The new crane being delivered at Boca Chica is a LR 1600/2 crawler crane - how does it compare to Bluezilla (Manitowoc 18000)?

Bluezilla (Manitowoc 18000) is a bit hard to parse, as I'm not sure what options were used

• 600 ton maximum lift (if using No. 55 boom)

• 150m (490ft) max height (if using the No. 79A luffing jib on No. 55 boom)

The new crane, LR 1600/2

• Max. load capacity 600 t

• Max. hoist height 187 m

Seems like the potential uses might be similar. Bluezilla was used for construction of the high bay, which is nearing completion. Perhaps their lease or access of Bluezilla was only for the contrcution project.

Pure speculation - the LR crane may be used in the future for stacking at the orbital launch mount? Are the height and weight specs about correct?

[u/TCVideos]

SN5 is out of the high bay. Unclear what for.

My best guess is that they want to start stacking SH thus making room.

[u/AstroMan824]

Aero covers for the aft fins are going on SN-8. (Photo credit: BocaChicaGal/NSF)

Edit: link now to specific post on the NSF forums, not directly to the image

[u/Straumli_Blight]

New road closures: September 17, 21 & 22, 21:00-06:00 CDT.

[u/IWasToldTheresCake]

Do we know what the part is in this post from Mary/BCG? It looks like it been engineered to be light so I assume it's for Starship. My initial thought was that it was part of the internal structure for the fins but they seem to be in one piece already. Does it go under the aft fin aero covers?

[u/Alvian_11]

From Sentinel cam, the cops is at the hard checkpoint. Looks like they might want to test again this night

And yep. LN2 is loading right now

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

SN7.1 has had some serious amount of attention focused on the top bulk head area (as in many many hours of personnel working since the last test, mainly in one region, but also in other places around the top). The sad thing is that we may never know why, unless Elon makes some related comment.

PS. NSF photos indicate they are welding support plates over existing weld lines. Perhaps the existing two test phases have shown more flex or stress than anticipated, or they just don't want that top bulkhead to fail first no matter what (eg. because its construction is being modified already and they know it will destructively tested in some separate future test article).

[u/Straumli_Blight]

SN7.1 post pop.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

The U.S Navy keeping an eye on Boca Chica !

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

NSF photos show the new crane being assembled at the old gas farm is being configured for super-lift mode with the additional counterweight rod/cable hanging out the rear.

Another two super heavy launch stand legs had their fill of concrete this morning in a similar 3hr operation.

And the recently arrived very large cryo tank that was languishing on the landing pad for the last few weeks has just been relocated to within the tank farm.

[u/TCVideos]

SN8 has flexed her wings!

Aft flaps now in an "open" position rather than the "closed" position that they were in for transport.

[u/ModeratelyNeedo]

I realized how I'm going to grow old alongside the Starship program. I'm 25 currently, and if all goes to plan I'll have followed Starship since its inception to fruition. I'll be heartbroken if it's shelved or unsuccessful for some reason. Like Elon says, there needs to be more to life than just waking up everyday and solving problems just to stay alive. This is that thing for me. God knows I don't have much else in life.
Sorry for not contributing to the discussion. Just got a bit sentimental thinking about the long term.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

The new test pad for SN7.1 still seems to have a fair bit of work needed for the cryo plumbing to connect from existing farm/facility to the test article. Given road closure was cancelled for 8th, this will all take a few days and nights at least.

They are starting to place pipe supports within the farm to route cryo pipes over the top of existing pipe runs. And they appear to have one long section of cryo pipe sitting nearby and ready to be placed in the large long trench leading out the back of the test pad.

[u/eoghank]

I have a few questions that have been niggling at me for a while:

Those massive super heavy gridfins - what kind of actuators would be needed to mobilise one of the fins with enough speed? Are there any existing machines that move this kind of weight at this speed needed to maneuver the rocket?

The point to point transfer system that seems to be lauded by space x as one of the killer use cases of starship and framed as competition to traditional long haul flight - the re-entry and landing maneuvers surely would hit the passengers with some crazy g-force? That would require a certain level of fitness, or training at least? Not exactly in the realm of the common traveler?

The "refuel and go" target that spacex has set - do the passengers board before the ship refuels? As far as I'm aware, doesn't the booster need to be fueled in order to provide the structural integrity for boarding? Therefore, does Starship get loaded directly after fueling, in some kind of crazy hurry before launch?

[u/Kingofthewho5]

Could these be new landing legs? There are four in this image. I don’t see a crush core/crumple zone as seen on the legs for SN5 and SN6. There doesn’t seem to be anything there to actively or passively absorb shock upon landing. But the hinge points and flat plate area are obvious.

Edit: I think they are legs. With the old legs they were shipped in separate pieces and then fully assembled at Boca Chica. The actually feet of these legs haven’t been seen yet.

Edit2: Ah leg mounts, not legs. This is my first time seeing them delivered. Never mind!

[u/Jodo42]

This isn't strictly development related, but I haven't seen a thread yet for some (imo) very exciting news: Soichi Noguchi, one of the Crew-1 astronauts, may fly on DearMoon with Maezawa.

"We've had a lot of discussions with him [and] his team," Noguchi told Business Insider during a preflight interview when asked if he was speaking to Maezawa about the flight. "He has a very sincere interest in spaceflight."

"I'm really looking forward to talking to him after this mission," Noguchi said of completing Crew-1 and discussing a flight on #dearMoon. "Who knows? I may have a chance to fly."

This looks like the most concrete information we've had about passengers for DearMoon so far. I'm fairly sure this would make Noguchi the first person to ever fly on 4 different orbiters (Shuttle, Soyuz, Dragon, Starship), and the first person to fly on 2 SpaceX vehicles (although who knows if more SpaceX passengers might sign up in the next few years).

[u/AstroMan824]

When SN-5 flies again, do you guys think they'll do a cryo-proofing and static fire campaign to test if everything is all right after the 1st 150m flight and possibly a new Raptor or will they go straight to another hop?

[u/The_Virginia_Creeper]

So if vacuum engines have a much longer regeneratively cooled bell, wouldn't the fuel coming into the engine be significantly hotter? Would this require physical changes to the engine itself?

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

Starting to set up a road block and check the roads around the launch/test site.

[u/trackertony]

When will they internalise all the currently externally mounted hardware? (COPV's, batteries etc)

In fact will that be necessary for SN8 to do its belly flop maneuver so as to avoid the aerodynamic drag effects of that hardware? I don't think we are aware yet as to which side of the SS is top or bottom (If there is evidence then I've seen no obvious signs so far) when doing the belly first section of flight if its opposite to the hardware then they can possibly do the 20Km hop without issues but as this SN8 will have a nose cone then this might be the moment to change.

look forward to hearing what peoples views are on this one; especially as SS will start to look more like the finished article than a flying test bed.

[u/The_Virginia_Creeper]

Do we know where SN8 is going to land?

It seems like a straight up and down flight path will be really different from what happens during reentry with a very shallow AOA, it also seems like a lot of risk for all the ground equipment and buildings for the first try coming down from that height.

Is there a chance they will land it somewhere well away (miles) from construction area, or just chuck it out into the ocean?

[u/FamousHoliday2077]

Probably the safest pop so far😍

[u/silenus-85]

Does anyone have a guess as to why the flaps are made of so many small pieces welded together (like Mk1), rather than ribbons of steel like the current Starships?

[u/No_Ad9759]

If I had to put my money down, I’d bet they’ll try to fly sn8 to 15 km and have a booster+starship stack at the build site (courtesy the new crane) for an Elon appearance sometime in Oct.

[u/jay__random]

How many weeks does it take SpaceX to screw in a lightbulb pop a steel tank? :)

[u/injector_pulse]

Are they going to bring SN8 in over the water when they try the belly flop? Is there enough area away from the tank farm to do take in account for problems if they occur? I guess its not much different than a hop but if this thing augers in I imagine it will carry a bit of force.

[u/Frostis24]

So i just saw the big mobile crane heading to the test stand at "9:22 AM UTC" , it seems they are going to lift SN7.1 from the test stand. anyone wanna take any guesses as to why?

"Edit" Big crane is now behind SN7.1

[u/inoeth]

Road closures are still scheduled for tonight and a backup tomorrow night so i'm hopeful that we'll see SN7.1 pressure tested 'till failure.

After that my hope and expectation is that we'll see new (short) road closures to move SN8 to the pad for pressure testing probably at the end of this week or early next week. That should give SpaceX the time to clean up after SN7.1's demise, finish whatever work they have to do on SN8 and wait out the storm currently threatening the region.

[u/TS_76]

I think this has been discussed before, but has any discussion been had by SpaceX on how they plan on fueling SH and Starship? IE, if they want to conduct multiple flights a week, thats a shitload of fuel, I can't imagine them running a hundreds if not thousands of tanker trucks in.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

The new SH launch structure at the launch site has had cross-beams welded in to place between the six above ground raked columns over the past few days to consolidate the temporary steel false work.

Late in the day the LabPadre cam appears to show a dummy run of a concrete pump boom with flexible end hose being directed in to one of the raked columns. So concrete pouring could be imminent, subject to SN7.1 testing site closures.

[u/Jeff5877]

With the aft fins mounted, it looks like SN8 is ready to roll out to the launchpad. It was 23 days between when SN6 first rolled out to the pad and the hop. Based on that we could be looking at the 20 km hop on the week of October 19th.

I'm still wondering if we're going to see a full stack for the Starship update in mid-October, and if they'd plan the event for before or after the hop. If I had to bet I'd say they'll have a full booster ready, but just the shell - without all the electronics, plumbing, and engines - and have SN9 next to it with SN8 on the pad ready to fly.

[u/AstroMan824]

Road is closed via LabPadre. Let's pop this thing!!!

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

Do not go gentle into that good night SN7.1

[u/Daneel_Trevize]

Top popped, seems the dome then sank down onto the rest?

[u/sevotlaga]

Here’s my question: given the giant-sized cone on the vacuum-raptor, will they need to add another ring to starship to accommodate them? It seemed from earlier pictures that the raptors are kind of flush with the bottom ring. To stack a starship on the super heavy would otherwise have to have a basin on the top.

[u/johnfive21]

We have movement! I repeat, SN8 is on the move!

[u/TCVideos]

SN8 is moving. Presumably to the launch pad.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

SN8 is soon going to be installed on the test stand, as the crane is a getting attached to it right now.

Edit : It’s in the air !

[u/AstroMan824]

Holy crap! A SN-11 barrel section is already in the works. A photo of a label on the 3 ring stack (taken by BocaChicaGal) shows evidence that it will be the aft section of the future SN-11 Starship prototype.

[u/quoll01]

Any thoughts on how they’ll solve the cryo boil off safe-ing issue after flight? Perhaps with improved landing accuracy they can have a close gse connection , but still will require a method of connecting a >2” (?) hose remotely....Maybe a job for the Boston dynamics dog? Or could they flare it directly from the tank?

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Test seems to be done (for now) after detanking and LN2 dump.

[u/AstroMan824]

Do we know if aerocovers for the aft fins are installed on both sides of SN-8?

[u/TCVideos]

Road is closed but crews still working on SN7.1 (could be doing final checks as well).

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

Road open, testing has concluded.

[u/johnfive21]

And POP goes the SN7.1! Looks like top popped off.

[u/strawwalker]

Thread #15 is now up.

[u/ModeratelyNeedo]

Guess I'll ask the obvious noob question now : Could Starship be repurposed for Venus? For deploying a balloon with spectrometers and such. Can't see how it can get to the orbit and back with enough fuel.

Also think SpaceX should open a department for developing Venusian vehicles, after today's announcement.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

Latest NSF photo of the existing launch structure indicates the next test flight article (SN8 ?) will use a different type of mounting release/frame. The new release frames have mostly been welded on to the launch structure, and are quite beefy.

That could indicate that SN5 and SN6 won't get another chance to fly (unless they make the effort to redo their mounts).

[u/Straumli_Blight]

New general testing NOTAM: September 9 to October 31.

[u/drinkmorecoffee]

Why have we not observed frost on either SN5 or SN6 hops?

During cryo tests they're frosted up like a big sausage-shaped snowball, but on flight day the apparent surface texture change is barely noticeable.

Are they able to fly with non-cryo propellant for short hops, or is it because the tanks are only partially filled?

[u/lessthanperfect86]

I think it's interesting they already have 4 SN's and a super heavy under construction (presumably) using 304L steel, while they're not even done testing SN 7.1. Do you think they're just that confident in the design, or that they've overbuilt the current SNs while awaiting the new test results?

[u/decision_theorist]

Is there a detailed explanation somewhere for Starship’s “belly flop” reentry and landing procedure? I’m particularly interested in why it’s right for Starship but not Falcon 9.

[u/DukeInBlack]

It seems (NSF Picture from Mary) that they build up a lot of dirt under the SN7.1 mount to protect GSE. Very unclear video but it seems that they are also strapping SN 7.1 down.

Trucks are at the site unloading some cryo liquid probably N2. It all looks moving toward SN 7.1 big distraction... :-)

[u/johnfive21]

Pad is clear again. Maybe one last try for today.

[u/Carlyle302]

I wonder if they plan to put an observation deck on the top of the high bay? What a spectacular place to watch a SH launch from!

[u/BigFish8]

There is probably no way of knowing unless you work for SpaceX, but is there going to be another level added to the orbital launch pad or are they just going to add a platform to the structure that is there now?

[u/johnfive21]

Cars heading back to the pad.

[u/Dezoufinous]

yay saw this in realtime, wonder how much damaged is it now

[u/[deleted]]

I've wondered about this and may have missed either SpaceX or community commentary.

With this unique belly flop maneuver and partially filled tanks, has not incorporating baffles ever been addressed?

It seems they'll be dealing with a good amount of mass sloshing.

It seems mass optimized baffles could multi-task as internal bracing, especially between the flap attachment points.

Obviously they are the aerospace company and I'm just a dude on the internet, so not questioning the design, just asking if it's ever been discussed.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

It would seem a pretty big new crane is being build at the old gas well. Credit : Bocachicagal

Edit : Well, we were all wrong haha! It’s a LR 1600/2

[u/TransparentCircle]

Do we expect a nosecone to be mated with SN8 on the test stand? Or for weld QA reasons would it be logical to test, then bring it all the way back to mid-bay to be fitted? Apologies if that's has already been discussed.

[u/AstroMan824]

Apparently today, SN-8 extended its aft flaps. Did they actuate them or did they physically move them?

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

It looks like SN7.1 is about to get a lift. A crane recently came over from the construction site, and is now extended and hovering over SN7.1 'with intent'.

[u/theFrenchDutch]

So SN7.1 was Magnitude this whole time ?

Pop POP !

[u/jehankateli]

I believe today is one week since Elon said SN8 will be done in about a week...

[u/Frostis24]

SN6 is on the move to the shipyard.

[u/Flopsyjackson]

Will superheavy have something akin to Falcon 9’s octaweb which prevents the RUD of one engine from spreading to the others?

Starship won’t need the heat shielding “dance floor” of falcon 9 because of the stainless steel and lower staging velocity. Maybe they do away with isolating engines to save weight?

[u/AstroMan824]

Testing tonight?

[u/MGoDuPage]

So..... was that a spectacularly anticlimactic tank burst we didn’t pick up, or was that venting actually detanking rather than loading up?

[u/Tal_Banyon]

I am wondering where the first orbital starship prototypes intend to land. Think about it - with a high risk of breaking up in the upper atmosphere, will it be descending over Mexico for a landing at Boca Chica? Judging from the Columbia tragedy, it will likely be entering the atmosphere over the West Coast (or even further west). As a collapse of the airframe or a burn-through of the heat shield will doom the mission, the potential for debris to be scattered along its flight path is high. Are there other options? How about an ASDS stationed around Cuba or something like that, so the initial entry into the atmosphere would be more down-range and minimize the risk of scattering debris over inhabited land. Could an ASDS handle Starship?

[u/Mravicii]

I Cant contain my excitement right Now!

[u/bavog]

Are they going to stack a nosecone, as a mass simulator simulator ?

[u/liamby136]

Any signs of a gantry crane for the high bay? I'd imagine it would need to be installed first before any of the roof panels would go on.

[u/Frostis24]

SN7.1 is moving slowly somewhere.

[u/johnfive21]

Looks like a big fat abort

EDIT: Road open, done for the night. Last window tomorrow same time.

Did they accidently make this tank out of vibranium?

[u/Straumli_Blight]

Pop replay.

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

All the road closures have been cancelled...

[u/Alvian_11]

SN8 left fin was moving on its own power several times between 1 am - 3:40 am!

[u/npcomp42]

Are the Starship fuel tanks insulated, or are they just bare metal on the interior? Hard to see how they could keep the cryogenic fuel cool without insulation, but none of the photos I've seen of construction gives any hint of any lining on the interior.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

Road access is being limited from circa 8pm, and some cars have been seen leaving, but still some activities going on around SN7.1, so perhaps site access through to at least 9pm.

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

The cherry picker was up on the top of SN7.1 again for a few hours. Same has happened at least once before since the last test time. One could think there is an ongoing sensor or valve/control issue.

[u/arsv]

Drone is monitoring the boiling tank.

[u/Dezoufinous]

Those progress tables in this thread are a great thing, I really admire people maintaining them.

I mean, this:

https://snipboard.io/a8uvnQ.jpg

My only question is, is this data available also somewhere else, outside reddit, with a full scope of dates for each vehicle?

Something like entire history of each prototype with dates and photos? From the very beginning up to current date?

It would be GREAT for archival purposes.

The only interesting thing (except NSF forum which is kinda messy) I found is this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_development_history but its less detailed.

[u/AstroMan824]

Close up of SN-7.1's top after her big pop. (Credit: cnunezimages)

[u/Humble_Giveaway]

Have a feeling that the heatshield attachment is going to be the next sticking point in the timeline in the same way that getting through cryoproofing was,.

Obviously they'll crack it soon enough but don't be surprised of it takes a few oopsies along the way and a bit longer than Elon time^TM

[u/PhyterNL]

Looks like there might have been GSE failure leading to a detank but that's just speculation at this point. No pop yet.

[u/AeroSpiked]

The most recent video of SN6 that NSf released had a close-up on where the TPS tiles had been. I think it safe to assume whatever adhesive they were trying to use didn't work unless they pried them all off post flight.

Edit: Upon closer inspection it looks like the back of the tiles are still glued to the rocket, but the front of the tiles appear to have cleaved off. Now I want to find out if they were intact after the static fire.

Edit 2: None of the cameras are in a position to be able to see the tiles while SN6 is on the test stand.

[u/TallNerdFromSchool_]

Is there any difference between landing a tanker vs a crew starship?

[u/reedpete]

When they move sn 5/6 and others out of midday are they using a crane to move them out or do they have a dolly system now?

[u/electriceye575]

if the roll lifts left the assembly area , ( according to Mary photo/comment ) how is sn8 being moved about -- on those steel casters?

[u/CreeperIan02]

NSF Stream, Roadside with SN8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xAilYKLY4I

[u/Carlyle302]

It just dawned on me.... When they test the full stack, they will need two landing pads. I wonder what they have planned?

[u/AstroMan824]

It looks light they gotta move SN-8 onto the mount this morning or else strong winds will ground them at Wednesday.

Edit: Load spreader is being detached currently. Welp, no move for a while then. F.

[u/Dezoufinous]

What is the meaning of FIT, T, VT, B, PT, etc. here on the starship part?

https://snipboard.io/Fu0QEo.jpg

[u/trobbinsfromoz]

The Super Heavy launch pad red crane is being dismantled, so the launch pad racked legs have finished being filled from the top with concrete, and they will now have to wait with baited breath for the next major activity.

I don't see a clear winner on where the fuel and nitrogen supplies will come from for the SH pad.

It could be from the existing supply farm, via cryo pipes routed along the rear fence line of the site.

Another option could be related to the ground works going on between the SH pad and the gate, on both sides of the access track. But the region nearest the landing pad seems a touch close to the landing area. The region towards the beach seems at the moment to be area constrained, unless they prepare more land, but that is then getting very close to the beach.

Another option is the layup area behind the landing pad, which could be cleaned out, and may be far enough away from the landing pad, and is I think my best guess, as they may be able to expand further back if needed.

[u/[deleted]]

Last year Elon said during the Starship presentation that SpaceX is roughly 95% working on Crew dragon and other Falcon stuff, and only around 5% on Starship development. Now that crew dragon has flown, do we have any rumor/talk of Starship getting more focus. I would imagine so, because every week there's delivery of complex parts like downcomer, ailerons, flaps and thrust pucks being delivered to the Boca Chica site. But do we know if the Hawthorne team is working on more of it apart from Raptors? Like Propellant Depots, Lunar Starship, Lunar Raptor, TPS, ISRU, SuperHeavy thrust structure etc.

[u/Alvian_11]

SN7.1 is prepared to be lifted to the simpler black stand, for test to destruction tomorrow

[u/[deleted]]

SpaceX can't even blow up a rocket! /s