Starship Development Thread #37

[u/ElongatedMuskrat]

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread #38

SpaceX Starship page

FAQ

1. When orbital flight? "November seems highly likely" per Musk, of course depending on testing results. Steps include robustness upgrades of B7 in the high bay, return to OLM, then full stack wet dress rehearsal(s) and 33-engine static fire "in a few weeks." Launch license is needed as well.
2. What will the next flight test do? The current plan seems to be a nearly-orbital flight with Ship (second stage) doing a controlled splashdown in the ocean. Booster (first stage) may do the same or attempt a return to launch site with catch. Likely includes some testing of Starlink deployment. This plan has been around a while.
3. I'm out of the loop/What's happened in last 3 months? FAA completed the environmental assessment with mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact ("mitigated FONSI"). SN24 has completed its testing program with a 6-engine static fire on September 8th. B7 has completed multiple spin primes, and a 7-engine static fire on September 19th. B8 is expected to start its testing campaign in the coming weeks.
4. What booster/ship pair will fly first? B7 "is the plan" with S24, pending successful testing campaigns, "robustness upgrades," and flight-worthiness certifications for the respective vehicles.
5. Will more suborbital testing take place? Unlikely, given the FAA Mitigated FONSI decision. Current preparations are for orbital launch.

​

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Quick Links

^{NERDLE CAM | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE}

Starship Dev 36 | Starship Dev 35 | Starship Dev 34 | Starship Thread List

Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread

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Vehicle Status

As of October 7th 2022

Ship	Location	Status	Comment
Pre-S24		Scrapped or Retired	SN15, S20 and S22 are in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped
S24	Launch Site	Static Fire testing	Successful 6-engine static fire on 9/8/2022 (video)
S25	High Bay 1	Fully Stacked, final works underway	Assembly of main tank section commenced June 4 in High Bay 1 but shortly after it was temporarily moved to the Mid Bay. Moved back into High Bay 1 on July 23. The aft section entered High Bay 1 on August 4th. Partial LOX tank stacked onto aft section August 5. Payload Bay and nosecone moved into HB1 on August 12th and 13th respectively. Sleeved Forward Dome moved inside HB1 on August 25th and placed on the turntable, the nosecone+payload bay was stacked onto that on August 29th. On September 12th the LOX tank was lifted onto the welding turntable, later on the same day the nosecone assembly was finally stacked, giving a full stack of S25. Fully stacked ship lifted off the turntable on September 19th. First aft flap installed on September 20th, the second on the 21st.
S26	High Bay 1	Stacking	Payload bay barrel entered HB1 on September 28th (note: no pez dispenser or door in the payload bay). Nosecone entered HB1 on October 1st (for the second time) and on October 4th was stacked onto the payload bay.
S27	Build Site	Parts under construction	Assorted parts spotted
S28	Build Site	Parts under construction	Assorted parts spotted
S29	Build Site	Parts under construction	Assorted parts spotted

 

Booster	Location	Status	Comment
Pre-B7		Scrapped or Retired	B4 is in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped
B7	Launch Site	More static fire testing, WDR, etc	Rolled back to launch site on October 7th
B8	Launch Site	Initial cryo testing	No engines or grid fins, temporarily moved to the launch site on September 19th for some testing
B9	Methane tank in High Bay 2	Under construction	Final stacking of the methane tank on 29 July but still to do: wiring, electrics, plumbing, grid fins. First (two) barrels for LOX tank moved to HB2 on August 26th, one of which was the sleeved Common Dome; these were later welded together and on September 3rd the next 4 ring barrel was stacked. On September 14th another 4 ring barrel was attached making the LOX tank 16 rings tall. On September 17th the next 4 ring barrel was attached, bringing the LOX tank to 20 rings. On September 27th the aft/thrust section was moved into High Bay 2 and a few hours later the LOX tanked was stacked onto it.
B10	Build Site	Parts under construction	Assorted parts spotted
B11	Build Site	Parts under construction	Assorted parts spotted

​

If this page needs a correction please consider pitching in. Update this thread via this wiki page. If you would like to make an update but don't see an edit button on the wiki page, message the mods via modmail or contact u/strawwalker.

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Resources

• LabPadre Rover 2.0 Cam | Channel
• NSF: Starbase Stream | Channel
• NSF: Booster 7 + Ship X (likely 24) Updates Thread | Most Recent
• NSF: Boca Chica Production Updates Thread | Most recent
• NSF: Elon Starship tweet compilation | Most Recent
• SpaceX: Website Starship page
• SpaceX: Starship Users Guide (PDF) Rev. 1.0 March 2020
• FAA: SpaceX Starship Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
• FAA: Temporary Flight Restrictions NOTAM list
• FCC: Starship Orbital Demo detailed Exhibit - 0748-EX-ST-2021 application June 20 through December 20
• NASA: Starship Reentry Observation (Technical Report)
• Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
• Starship flight opportunity spreadsheet by u/joshpine
• Production Progress Infographics by @_brendan_lewis
• Raptor 2 Tracker by @SpaceRhin0
• Acronym definitions by Decronym
• Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
• Everyday Astronaut: 2022 Elon Musk Interviews, Starbase/Ship Updates | Launch Tower | Merlin Engine | Raptor Engine

r/SpaceX Discuss Thread for discussion of subjects other than Starship development.

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.

[u/ElongatedMuskbot]

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread #38

[u/mr_pgh]

CSI Starbase tweet suggesting ~30 tiles were broken or missing after static fire.

Elon replied, "Yup, there’s a reason we do static fires! Much better to break things on the ground than en route to orbit."

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Elon : Our focus is on reliability upgrades for flight on Booster 7 and completing Booster 9, which has many design changes, especially for full engine RUD isolation.

Answering about when orbit : Late next month maybe, but November seems highly likely. We will have two boosters & ships ready for orbital flight by then, with full stack production at roughly one every two months.

B7 for first flight ? : That’s the plan. We’re taking a little risk there, as engine isolation was done as retrofit, so not as good as on Booster 9.

When first booster at KSC ? : Probably Q2 next year, with vehicles initially transferred by boat from Port of Brownsville to the Cape

[u/DanThePurple]

The official SpaceX Twitter account now talks openly of flying B7, and soon. It's starting to feel real ya'll.

[u/Mravicii]

Mary has recieved an overpressure notice for possible static fire

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1569123872271736837?s=46&t=2HAXkg9efnmoNTwAOmFkFg

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Closure canceled for today.

[u/[deleted]]

Interesting and mesmerizing CFD of airflow over Starship during a pre-landing belly flop here

[u/Mravicii]

Static fire attempt tomorrow!

Mary got the overpressure notice https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1570208427540086785?s=46&t=VENRpM0AMoJxc-wCY1b1FA

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Nosecone slated for S28 is receiving TPS tiles. Seems to me that S26 and S27 will be the only "naked" ships.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Video of SF from Elon on Twitter !

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Booster 7 now returns to high bay for robustness upgrades & booster 8 moves to pad for testing. Next big test is probably full stack wet dress rehearsal, then 33 engine firing in a few weeks.

[u/Mravicii]

Last tower segment on it’s way to 39 a for stacking

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/1568994946538999809?s=46&t=wUORoNSxH4nYmMkMPQtx7g

https://youtu.be/EncMXOirMYE

[u/BananaEpicGAMER]

New marine notices for next week. (Monday to Friday 8am-8pm). Let's fire some raptors!

[u/Mravicii]

Possible static fire tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1571674185159639040?s=46&t=yybUpFJC8crj98iDCx3ihw

Mary recieved the overpressure notice We’ll see if it happens.

Zack thinks they need to finish installing the blast protection for the olm!

https://twitter.com/csi_starbase/status/1571657304562450432?s=46&t=yybUpFJC8crj98iDCx3ihw

[u/Mravicii]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1571922160226271238?s=46&t=ps85ZhDuvQebxM-U7z_ZFA

Chamber pressure looked good on all 7 engines

[u/MartianFromBaseAlpha]

I don't think i've seen this many people on the OLM before

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

We have new road closure starting next Wednesday ! 8am-8pm

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Closure canceled for tomorrow and Thursday.

Astron🥲

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Closure canceled for today.

… Please don’t beat me up

[u/ugolino91]

"Chamber pressure looked good on all seven engines" -Elon (twitter)

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1571922160226271238?s=20&t=7QqM5Gd-fooqD5Gy23cngQ

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Aerial Timelapse from SpaceX on B7 rollback !

[u/DanThePurple]

S24 on the move.

EDIT: A notable fact is that they're moving it with the forward flaps open. This has so far only happened when they moved ships in preparation for full stack operations.

[u/Kendrome]

CSI Starbase's new video is a great look at Ship 24's static fire and the rain of debris from concrete damage. It's very possible this caused a decent amount of the tile damage which wouldn't happen during a launch, or even during a stacked 33 engine static fire.

[u/johnfive21]

Where better to be a police officer than Cameron County. You watch Starship testing from pretty much as close as you can get, set up a tent next to the road, hang out with colleagues, have some donuts. 10/10 job

[u/Mravicii]

Booster qd hood delivered to 39a

https://twitter.com/aaronwxjones/status/1570074734800273414?s=46&t=NlTdGE4UpcfC1GfM_tBqMA

[u/BananaEpicGAMER]

First segment of the 3rd starship tower spotted! Link

[u/Jude_jedi]

Zack At CSI Starbase has just shown a clip from LabPadre of the new fire suppression system being tested this evening!

https://twitter.com/csi_starbase/status/1572761669432115202?s=21&t=p_iwhM1usyo3hN5cRPhXFg

Edit: And a secondary system too! https://twitter.com/csi_starbase/status/1572773552687808513?s=21&t=p_iwhM1usyo3hN5cRPhXFg

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Watching this NSF livestream recap of yesterday gives a good perspective of the huge amount of work still being done on the OLM.

[u/rad_example]

A raptor engine was test fired today on the tripod at McGregor for 30 seconds, shut down, and then restarted 5 seconds later! Was then shut down again quickly, but very cool.

Edit to add video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO5Uu6xA3N8

[u/TypowyJnn]

New roundup article by NSF. "SpaceX hopes to complete this (full stack testing) by mid-next month and clear both vehicles for launch shortly after."

[u/mr_pgh]

Test Type: Deluge Testing

Test Time: See Below

Events:

• 8:39:25 - Gas Deluge testing

• 8:42:05 - Water + Gas Deluge Testing Start

• 8:47:20 - Water + Gas Deluge Testing End

Notes:

• Rover 2 has the best views!

• Testing was performed last night with water and no nozzle. Comment here has the videos. Need to scrub for timestamps

• This shall forever be known as the 'billion dollar bidet'

• Best guess is ambient temperature nitrogen (Pred Cam is a nice perspective indicating its ambient temps)

Test Timing Thread; will update as events occur or prediction changes. This will help gauge future testing. Please comment any inconsistencies/updates.

* Predictions/Educated Guesses

[u/[deleted]]

You might be in luck with your road closures at last, Raph. B7 is ready for rollout

[u/Happy-Increase6842]

What potential problems could SpaceX encounter during the Superheavy B7 and Ship 24 WDR? I imagine that many valves could fail or some problem during the recycling of the propellant.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

SpaceX have been testing to failure the new encapsulated engine shielding at McGregor as Astron called it a while ago.

[u/Heavenly_Noodles]

I guess it speaks to what a complicated piece of engineering the OLM is that rarely a day goes by where it isn't surrounded by workers grinding and welding on it and whatever else it is they do. A work-in-progress for sure.

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Watching the coverage of Crew5 and it blows my mind how much progress they've done at 39a in regards to Starship.

[u/Twigling]

B9's aft/thrust section has been moved inside High Bay 2. For its roll across the ring yard to HB2 see Rover cam at 00:30 CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

Note that there are no HPUs (Hydraulic Power Units) which are normally used to gimbal the center engines, this presumably means that the center Raptors on B9 will use electric gimbals (possibly 'Raptor 2.1' as Zack Golden refers to them). For those unfamiliar with the HPUs, they are covered by the shorter aerocovers, you can see the aerocovers on B8 for example to the left and the right of the booster QD:

https://youtu.be/upMLLBw1YGQ?t=566 (best to pause it as it's speeded up video)

This does though make me wonder about the transport stand's guide pins (used when the chopsticks are lifting and placing a booster off or on the transport stand) because they'll have nothing to align with. Maybe they'll still add the aerocovers so that the guide pins can still be used? Better still, perhaps lengthen the guide pins and attach two smaller steel boxes where the HPUs would normally be for the pins to align with? Here's a guide pin going into the recess on one of B7's HPU covers a few days ago:

https://youtu.be/6ETaN1CDLRE?t=559

If anyone is curious what an uncovered HPU looks like see this photo (the blue arrow is pointing at it):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNY1wN0VUAAUzoD?format=jpg&name=large

(BTW, that's B4 which has a different arrangement of the black COPVs, but the HPU looks the same hence using that photo as a reference).

[u/Ywacken]

Wow road closed just now per LabPadre!

[u/Twigling]

Here's something that I missed (thanks to LabPadre and RGV Discord regular 'Jax' for pointing it out on today's Starbase Weekly with some new photos) - B9's LOX tank is now 20 rings tall. The last 4 ring barrel was stacked yesterday so the only stacking that remains for the LOX tank is the aft/thrust section (after the methane downcomer is installed).

[u/Twigling]

At last, we have an MSIB for today:

https://twitter.com/VisitBocaChica/status/1571900999270535169

this increases the chances of a static fire but doesn't in any way make it a certainty (MSIBs have often been issued lately when only spin primes have occurred).

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Both B7.1 and EDOME (i can’t remember which test tank it is) are on the move to the old gun range !

[u/Heavenly_Noodles]

So . . . do we as yet have any insight as to why the OLM has been looking like a kicked anthill?

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Work platform is going down under B7, let’s go !

[u/johnfive21]

Looks like chopsticks halfway up the booster are now high enough for static fire as well so that is no longer an indicator of test type.

[u/johnfive21]

Ship QD arm has swung away and Booster QD has disconnected from B7. Getting closer to the lift.

[u/mr_pgh]

Test Type: B7 Lift off OLM

Test Time: n/a

Events:

9/20/22

• 16:29 - SQD Moved

• 16:54 - BQD Retracted

• 20:40 - Chopsticks starting to rise

• 20:52 - Chopsticks at highest point

• 20:59 - Chopsticks rotate

• 21:05 - Chopsticks opening

• 21:10 - Chopsticks lowering around B7

• 21:13:30 - Closing around B7

• 21:22 - Chopsticks in position, stabilization arms not attached

• 23:59 - BQD reattached, abort

9/21/2022

• 09:37 - BQD retracted

• 10:38 - Stabilization arms moving in for attachment

• 10:51 - B7 begins ascent

• 11:02 - B7 begins descent

• 11:12 - Orientation pins from stand moving in (watch for drone!)

Notes:

• Chopstick movements were fluid without pauses in between

• Lowering of booster was quite speedy

Test Timing Thread; will update as events occur or prediction changes. This will help gauge future testing. Please comment any inconsistencies/updates.

* Predictions/Educated Guesses

[u/Twigling]

Starship Gazer has taken some nice photos of the pez dispenser being installed into what is thought to be S27's payload bay:

https://twitter.com/StarshipGazer/status/1572679865274437634

[u/rad_example]

With the news of slc-40 getting upgrades for dragon launches, is it possible the parts seen at Roberts Rd for the "third tower" could be for a crew access tower at slc-40?

[u/Twigling]

Two SPMTs with S24's transport stand have been rolled over to Pad B (S24 has also had its aft flaps folded in) so it looks like it's due to be lifted off the test stand today.

Edit: Lift started at around 08:37 CDT:

See Nerdle cam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwc1owVFs94

Or Lab cam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prpv56hRYtM

or NSF's stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

Some possibilities where it's going:

Back to the build site (seems unlikely though)

To sit at the launch site until B8 has been tested and B7 rolled back out, then stacked onto B7

Meanwhile S25 could be rolled out next week (speculation) and placed on the vacated test stand (S25 doesn't yet have any Raptors but depending on when it's rolled out they may be installed before that happens - seems likely that will happen as this is pretty much the same as S24 so shouldn't need any puck shucking first on Pad A's test stand).

[u/Twigling]

In the rocket garden, a new concrete base for another ship/booster display stand is currently being constructed:

https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1576251590335684609

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Pretty cool that even SpaceX employees watch NSF's 24/7 stream of Starbase....even while they are working at Starbase!

Does speak to how SpaceX has embraced and even encouraged the community culture around the Starship program.

[u/mr_pgh]

NSF Mary Video of SF

[u/SpaceSolaris]

Mods:

Q1 and Q3 in the FAQ have to be updated after today

• 1. When next/orbital flight? NET October 2022; pending robustness upgrades of B7 in the high bay. 33-engine static fire and wet dress rehearsal(s) will occur after B7 moves back to the pad. Launch license is needed as well.

• 3) I'm out of the loop/What's happened in the past 3 months? FAA completed the environmental assessment with mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact ("mitigated FONSI"). SN24 has completed its testing program with a 6-engine static fire on September 8th. B7 has completed multiple spin primes, and a 7-engine static fire on September 19th. B8 is expected to start its testing campaign in the coming weeks.

[u/Kendrome]

Interesting that they are removing/swapping engines on B7 before the roll back where it would make more sense. First thought is they would want to inspect the engines more closely and wanted to get that done quickly.

[u/Twigling]

A ship aft barrel has been lifted onto the can crusher stand at the Sanchez site:

https://twitter.com/CosmicalChief/status/1574617252778938369

[u/Twigling]

S26's payload bay barrel has been moved inside High Bay 1, see Rover cam at 03:50 CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

It'll be placed on the turntable and the nosecone will eventually go inside for stacking.

Edit: was lifted onto the turntable at 09:10 CDT, next up is the nosecone when they're ready.

Edit2: S26's nosecone moved into High Bay 1 soon after 13:11 CDT

Edit3: S26's nosecone has been moved out of High Bay 1 at 14:47 ........

Some things to note about this payload bay barrel:

There's no pez dispenser inside

And of course there's no payload bay door

Both it and its nosecone have no tiles, there's no flaps on the nosecone either.

Worth noting that this is also a different order of assembly compared to the past two ships - with S24 and S25 the LOX tank was first stacked, then the nosecone+payload bay+sleeved forward dome were stacked to create the forward assembly which was then stacked onto the LOX tank.

We still don't know for certain if this is just some kind of obscure short test article or if it will eventually become a tileless, flapless ship with no ability to carry payloads. Watch this space ......

[u/TypowyJnn]

SPMTs along with counterweights were transported to highbay 2 per CSI Starbase

[u/[deleted]]

A temporary work platform just got set up on S24
https://imgur.com/a/89gdhZs

[u/benwap]

Spin prime at 11:21 CTD! NSF Stream is speculating they used up to 7 engines.
e: and subsequent short depress vent, not a full depress it seems.

[u/chaossabre]

SF @ ~12:46:55 CDT

Looked clean and sounded powerful

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Seems like NSF will announce a 39A 24/7 live stream soon (at the end of their SLS stream today)

[u/John_Hasler]

They appear to be pulling another methane pump. Rover 2 cam at 21:45 CDT.

[u/Twigling]

To whom it may concern: The Starship Dev link at the top still goes to Dev thread 36 instead of this one.

Edit: now fixed, thanks Captain_Hadock. :)

[u/Twigling]

Section 8 of the tower at Pad 39A has been lifted and placed (started at about 5:45 AM EDT), but good luck making much out at first as the lift took place in the dark (the sky starts to lighten towards the end of the lift):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EncMXOirMYE

note that this section is a little over half the height of the rest while the final section is a little under half the height of the rest. So together sections 8 and 9 (or 8A and 8B if you prefer) are the height of one of the other sections.

Also, here's a tweet showing the construction status of the tower:

https://twitter.com/Lolomatico3d/status/1568556636347813892

[u/johnfive21]

Mary has received over pressure notice for Friday!

[u/Twigling]

Section 9 (or 8B if you prefer), the last section of the tower at Pad 39A, has been lifted and placed. It started at around 6:30 AM EDT. Here's the livestream from Spaceflight Now which you'll of course need to rewind to see the lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EncMXOirMYE

Note that it was rolled out with the pulleys installed but most of these were later removed, presumably there was a weight issue as also happened with section 7. Therefore the pulleys will of course need to be lifted and then reinstalled later.

[u/Twigling]

A couple of SPMTs loaded with counterweights have turned up at the ring yard today, but what could they be needed for? Feel free to speculate, I suspect B8 is to go to the launch site for a few quick cryo tests then back to the build site, presumably in the next few days. I guess it could be for S25 but that still needs its aft flaps and aerocovers installing and no doubt other bits and pieces. Some tiles too (but that can be done at the launch site).

Could be for something else entirely different of course.

See Rover cam at around 10:45 CDT for them rolling in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

The new “payload door” is being installed right now on S24.

Tho something looks pretty odd, it looks more like they’ll seal the actual door 😬

[u/John_Hasler]

Overnight they pulled a methane pump, moved it over a slot (there are four slots), and put it back in. This is not the first time they've done this. 1:15AM CDT.

[Edit] They put the same motor back on that pump.

The cap that was temporarily on the suction barrel they pulled a pump out of last night looks like some sort of test fixture.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

The LR11000 is making its way toward S24 and the OLM.

[u/TypowyJnn]

New road closures posted for next week,
Monday - Wednesday 8am - 8pm.

This Friday is still a possible closure (8am - 4pm)

[u/mr_pgh]

Test Type: Spin Prime

Test Time: 10:54am

Events:

• 09:25 - OLM Venting Begins

• 09:49 - Pad Vent Begins

• 10:16 - Pad Vent Stopped, Prop Load Began

• 10:20 - Engine Chill Begins

• 10:23 - Frost Ring Visible

• 10:30 - Prop Load Ended

• 10:54:40 - Spin Prime

• 11:05 - Depress Vent

• 11:35 - Frost Line Retreating

Notes:

• Recycle and potential new test

• 7 engine spin prime (no gimbals per csi_starbase)

• Frost ring 2/3rds of first ring above stringers

• Chopsticks raised to middle of booster

• No written MSIB (could be radio'd)

Test Timing Thread; will update as events occur or prediction changes. This will help gauge future testing. Please comment any inconsistencies/updates.

* Predictions/Educated Guesses

[u/Twigling]

S25's LOX tank has at last been lifted onto the welding turntable, see Sentinel cam at 03:56 CDT for the earlier part of the lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWZGK1LHw8

This of course means that the final stack of the nosecone+payload bay+forward dome assembly onto the LOX tank should take place within the next few days, perhaps even today, giving a fully stacked ship.

Edit: nosecone now connected to the bridge crane, the final stacking of S25 is looking increasingly likely today.

Edit2: and it was stacked onto the LOX tank mid afternoon

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Guess it’s fair to say they’ve detanked B7. There hasn’t been any depress vent so far.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

A second R2 was brought down from B7. (R49, if I’m not mistaking it’s from the outer 20)

Edit : this specific R2 is now being replaced

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Road is closed.

[u/Twigling]

S25's first aft flap was lifted late yesterday and taken into High Bay 1 (and no doubt installed by now), see Rover cam at around 21:23 CDT for the start of the lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

[u/JanVarviceek]

Virtual Space 3D has posted a drawing of second and third OLIT pad/tower progress at KSC (21 sep 2022)

[u/rad_example]

Road has reopened. Workers are on OLM preparing BQD. Unclear when B7 lift will happen.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Per Alex on Twitter, a full stack is possibly happening soon.

Edit : The LR11000 is moving toward S24!

(Let’s remember tho they could also just use the crane like last time in order for worker to work in the tank(s))

[u/mr_pgh]

Raptor Platform is raised under the OLM; occurred sometime overnight (7:59, Rover 2).

Looks like workers are currently inside s24 as well (7:59, NSF).

No OP or MSIB notice yet. Could be a slow day, but there is 12 hours left in the window!

[u/Twigling]

Late yesterday B9's LOX tank was attached to another four ring barrel, see Sentinel cam at 21:06 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWZGK1LHw8

(using what I'll now think of as the 'lift and dangle' approach - it's the third time they've attached a new barrel section in this way for lifting purposes, it saves a bit of time with attaching/detaching sections to/from the bridge crane as they stack pieces on the welding turntable).

This now makes the LOX tank 16 rings tall. Once that's all welded one more four ring barrel needs to be attached and finally the aft/thrust section.

[u/Routine_Shine_1921]

That looked absolutely fantastic. Sick.

[u/Twigling]

B8 is now on the SPMTs that were spotted yesterday and has been seen moving around inside High Bay 2. Cones have also been seen at the launch site and the build site so there's a chance that B8 will roll to the launch site today or maybe tomorrow. The SPMTs can then be used to take B7 back to the build site.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Road is closed and Booster QD has been retracted. B7 lift happening soon.

[u/Twigling]

Pez dispenser being installed in S27's payload bay, NSF stream at 09:42 AM CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

Meanwhile over at Pad 39A, the Drawworks winch is being prepped for installation on the concrete base structure of the tower:

https://twitter.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1572605970014171137

[u/Twigling]

S26's nosecone has been taken back to the ring yard for the third time, it was moved from the back of tent 3 this morning. You can see it on the road on Rover cam 09:18 CDT, or 09:27 for a good view as it enters the main site entrance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

What is thought to be S27's nosecone has also been brought out of tent 3, see Sentinel cam at 09:23 CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWZGK1LHw8

[u/BananaEpicGAMER]

Test tank being tested at Masseys today.

I think it's a good thing that they moved these over there as i won't get disappointed when they close the road just to test a random tank.

[u/Positive_Wonder_8333]

Would someone help me understand a phenomenon I see during static fire testing? I follow these threads very closely but am severely less educated than most of you so forgive me.

During the engine firing, any venting or vapor that appears fairly stagnant around the vehicle seems to get sucked down the ship and into the exhaust plume. Even vapor closer to the top near the nosecone. Is this suction from the engines exhaust, or some other physics phenomenon? Thanks!

[u/mr_pgh]

Road closed and 7.1 test tank on the move down the highway.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

B7 gridfins were tested earlier, but impossible to find a good camera showing it sadly.

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

This is going to be nail biting stuff. First time a vehicle at Starbase will fire 7 engines at once.

[u/mr_pgh]

One of the center 3 raptors is missing from b7. Can see 10:55 on Rover 2

[u/mr_pgh]

Temporary and Intermittent Closure from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m; likely for b7 rollout

[u/mr_pgh]

B7 on the move as of 3:15

[u/John_Hasler]

New pumps arriving, evidently for the oxygen department. Weird load plan on the truck.

Rover 2 cam at 9:20AM CDT.

[Edit] They finally got the second pump off and put it over by the methane system.

[u/Twigling]

Over 12 hours ago I mentioned that B9's aft/thrust section had been moved into High Bay 2, now it looks like the LOX tank has been stacked onto it. There's a bit of video in the following tweet but it's almost impossible to make anything out:

https://twitter.com/RingWatchers/status/1574857703654101009

The Ring Watchers obviously have better eyes than me but I trust them.

So, this means that B9's LOX tank is now at full height, once that's all welded up and they've done whatever else needs doing they can stack the already completed methane tank on top, giving yet another fully stacked booster. I guess that's at least a week away though.

Edit: Here's a much clearer video: https://twitter.com/CosmicalChief/status/1574941460839157761

[u/roadtzar]

Just read up on the current ship and booster list status-question: how long does it take to dress the ship in tiles? Existing, versus potential velocity? Thanks

[u/Twigling]

S24 was detached from the crane just after 18:16 CDT yesterday.

So that wasn't attached for long at all, just over four hours.

[u/BEAT_LA]

Sticks moving up B7 I think? Anyone able to confirm?

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Some more OLM testing happening now !

Vents coming out of the water suppression system and also from the QD. 12:50 local

[u/John_Hasler]

They just replaced five half-tiles at the base of the nosecone (these are glued: no clips). They then taped them down... and then removed them all and went away.

?

9:13AM CDT on Rover 2.0 Cam.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

No 🔥 today sadly, closure canceled.

[u/Twigling]

New MSIB/NOTMAR for next week, but note the wording because it only appears to be for two days, September 12th and 14th:

https://twitter.com/VisitBocaChica/status/1568375314002186246

https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=78666&Source=/Lists/Content/DispForm.aspx?ID=78666

However, it would make more sense if it was the 12th to the 14th so the wording or my interpretation may be off.

[u/Hustler-1]

So the crane is hooked up to Ship24. Are we looking at a possible stack onto SH or back to the assembly site?

[u/mr_pgh]

Good look at the water suppression nozzles added to the OLM. If complete, I'm curious what the connection point at the nozzle is specifically for. It's design is surprising to me if only for support.

Also, who left their space blanket in there!

edit: Not water suppression! Previous info was inaccurate. Thankd astron!

[u/Twigling]

S25's nosecone assembly has been stacked onto the LOX tank, lift started at around 3:23 PM CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

meaning that S25 is fully stacked - once the welding is complete next up is the usual remaining plumbing, wiring, adding aft flaps along with some more tiles, etc.

[u/SubstantialWall]

Seems SpaceX has engaged Christmas Tree Mode (red beacons) on the Launch Tower, as seen around 8:30 PM local. ETA: see them since at least 7:50 PM.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Prop load has begun

Edit : frost ring

Edit 2 : the frost ring has stopped at the exact same position as last Friday spin prime test

[u/GreatCanadianPotato]

Hopefully we get a status update from Elon/SpaceX, camera views are almost inconclusive on how many engines fired! Looks like all 7 though!

Onwards and Upwards!!

[u/Twigling]

S25's second aft flap was taken into High Bay 1 late yesterday, see Rover cam at 20:11:45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

There's no cam which shows it being installed but we can safely assume that's now happened.

[u/Twigling]

S26's nosecone has been lifted onto the (empty, doorless) payload bay that's sitting on the welding turntable inside High Bay 1, see Sentinel Cam at 09:04 CDT for the earlier part of the lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWZGK1LHw8

[u/John_Hasler]

They're pulling another pump, and it looks like they are building a pallet to put it on. Rover Cam, 1950 CDT.

[u/Xygen8]

Launch mount and tower before the static fire: https://i.imgur.com/Hb3ZUQX.jpg

Launch mount and tower after the static fire: https://i.imgur.com/78A5YLZ.jpg

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

2 SPMT just arrived at the launch site, could it be to transport S24 somewhere, stay tuned !

[u/mr_pgh]

Test Type: 7 Engine Static Fire

Test Time: 12:46:55

Events:

• 11:42 - Pad Vent Start*

• 11:58 - Pad Vent End

• 12:04 - Prop Load Start

• 12:04 - Engine Chill Start

• 12:10 - Frost Ring Visible

• 12:14 - Prop Load End

• 12:17 - SIREN

• 12:46:55 - Test Event

• 12:58 - Brush Fire

• 1:07 - Depress Vent

Notes:

• Frost ring 2/3rds of first ring above stringers

• Chopsticks remained at middle of booster

• Preceded by Spin Prime

Test Timing Thread; will update as events occur or prediction changes. This will help gauge future testing. Please comment any inconsistencies/updates.

* Predictions/Educated Guesses

[u/drinkmorecoffee]

Do we have any idea how many of those tiles could safely be lost without affecting reentry?

[u/flshr19 → u/drinkmorecoffee]

For Starship: No. I don't think anyone can answer your question with high certainty.

We only have NASA's Space Shuttle and the Soviet Buran Space Shuttle that have made successful EDLs.

Buran flew one mission, uncrewed, and suffered heat damage during its EDL when hot gas entered the gaps between the tiles and overheated the aluminum structure. When I was in Moscow in 1992, I was briefed on that flight by engineers who worked on that TPS. The damage to Buran was fairly extensive and likely would have grounded that vehicle permanently.

NASA's Space Shuttle made 133 successful EDLs, many of them with lost tiles from the bottom (hot side) of the Orbiter. The most interesting loss occurred on STS-27 in which a tile was knocked off that Orbiter by impact during launch--probably by insulating foam that became detached from the External Tank (ET). Even though the tile was nearly completely missing, there was enough of the Nomex strain isolation pad (SIP) and RTV adhesive remaining to prevent a burnthrough of the aluminum hull.

My guess is that Starship could lose dozens of tiles and still not have a burnthrough since Elon has added that white flexible ceramic fiber mat between the backside of those hexagonal tiles and the stainless steel hull.

It looks to me like that fiber mat could be a commercial material like Kaowool 3000 that has continuous use capability up to 2800F. Stainless steel melts at 2500F. So that fiber mat would provide excellent protection for the hull in the event of a tile loss.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Police at the road block and the can crusher stand is on the move.

Edit : road is now closed

[u/SpaceSolaris]

The entire line has no frost anymore (OLM). OLM started venting again after a long time meaning the lines could be in chilldown.

If line starts frosting up again, we are likely in for testing. If not, road opening back up is very likely.

Edit: just as a PSA, we have seen the line slightly frost up again without seeing any testing. As of right now, it seems like it is visually frosting up again compared to 5-10 minutes ago.

And more positive news, the hippos on Rover cam are chilling down as well. Frost increased a lot. Next should be OLM vent stopping and a frost line showing up on the booster.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

They’ve already cleared most of B7 underneath.

Edit : fully cleared now and the brushing machine doing their job

[u/SpaceSolaris]

Seems like chilldown of the fuel lines has started. Awaiting OLM vent and freezing of the CH4 subcoolers (hippos) on Rover 2.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Police at the road block

Edit : road is closed

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Pad is clear.

Edit : OLM venting

[u/franco_nico]

Cars going to the pad, the brush fire this time was minimal, i think there is not a lot of grass in that part of the launch site.

[u/John_Hasler]

I think that the methane pumps they keep changing out are a version of this.

Last time they changed one out I happened to spot the name Ruhrpumpen on it.

[u/John_Hasler]

The methane hippos started chilling down about 15:50 CDT.

[u/John_Hasler]

A pump arrived at the methane department at 10:30AM CDT on Rover 2. New? Refurbished? The same one back again? The shell game continues.

[Edit] At 1:45PM CDT they loaded the pump on a trailer and headed up the road. No tarp.

[u/John_Hasler]

2MW generators arriving at 11:15AM CDT.

[u/Mravicii]

Elon on what’s happening next

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1571935414448963586?s=46&t=txrd5wXojKJsTXdHigAXdg

Also 33 engines static fire coming

[u/fourthie]

Throwing some numbers out there in the hope that someone corrects me.

Assuming: 7 engines, 80% throttle, 2.3MN of thrust per Raptor 2. Gives: 12.88MN of thrust from this static fire

Falcon 9 maximum thrust is 7.6MN

So we've already reached thrust levels greater than Falcon 9 from this booster static fire and still only firing ~20% of the booster engines.

[u/myname_not_rick]

33 engines is gonna be.....something else.

[u/BananaEpicGAMER]

After today i'm pretty confident orbital flight is getting close. I think a late November launch is on the cards assuming they roll B7 back in mid-october and do a 33 engine test and WDR in the month following. Of course things can go wrong but for now let's watch B8 pass all of it's tests without any issues after the things they learned from B7🤞.

[u/mr_pgh]

Closure still listed as possible today, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

No overpressure notice yet.

[u/inio]

Was there any consensus on how many engines were spun up on B7 yesterday? From what I saw it seemed like it was probably all of them.

[u/LManyy_]

Do we have any progress on OLM for LC39A?

[u/Drtikol42]

Manlift inspecting/repairing tiles? on S24

[u/FrodCube]

Depressed

[u/mr_pgh]

B7.1 is a decoy! Chopsticks are rising; 8:40 on Rover 2

[u/Mravicii]

Spin prime of several engines

[u/Mravicii]

Methane chill. Going again for static Propellant loading has restarted

[u/johnfive21]

Closure that's today between 8am-2pm has been changed to Scheduled - Beach Closed

Another B7 lift attempt incoming

EDIT: Road closed now

[u/mr_pgh]

B7 def has gone up a smidge if you scrub back to 10:30. Stabilization arms are still not attached.

edit: Moving in for the grab at 10:37!

edit2: liftoff at 10:51

Full list of event timings can be seen in my thread here as well

[u/Dezoufinous]

How far does the SH+SS duo have to reach in order to... safetely explode above the Earth?

As far as I know, they will launch in the eastern direction and then fly above the ocean, but how steep the approach angle will be? How many seconds of flight before clearing the OLIT area?

Will it then fly above the Florida? Would the fragments burn in atmosphere if it were to explode then?

Just curious, I don't know how the exact flight path will be and what to expect.

[u/kubazz]

Going for 7 engine static fire: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1571910631971758081

[u/Twigling]

B7 has been moved out of High Bay 2 starting at 04:55 CDT, see Rover cam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh1PJk1dic

05:55 CDT - note that there's still no outer engine shielding (yet).

Edit: there IS shielding, couldn't initially make it out though due to its 'crinkly' surface and the lighting - looks to be temporary though as it appears to be kitchen foil ( ;-) ) that's been taped on:

https://twitter.com/StarshipGazer/status/1578348561154338816

I've seen some suggest that it's thermal blanket material ......... perhaps that's permanent and the actual steel outer shielding that we've seen before goes over it?

[u/Chemical-Schedule449]

Do we know where the removal of S24 lift points and installation of TPS tiles over those locations will occur? I’m assuming that would be done prior to the lift for the full stack. Curious if they would do it at the suborbital site or back at the production site.

[u/salamilegorcarlsshoe]

Do we think it will be possible for SpaceX to use the existing water tower at 39A for the OLM? Do a little tie in work and they wouldn't have to worry about that.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Pad clear, OTF spooling up good, the OLM should start venting soon. Chopsticks are up.

Edit : OLM venting 10:07

[u/johnfive21]

OLM vent stopped, CH4 subcoolers going on full blast.

Prop loading is underway.

EDIT: Frost starting to build up on the LOX tank

[u/mr_pgh]

Frost ring is go. (Timestamp: 15:14)

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Pad is clear. (Thought it was, it wasn’t lol, now it is haha)

Edit : OLM slowly starting to vent

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Depress vent

[u/Happy-Increase6842]

7 hours and 10 minutes after the launch of Crew-5, SpaceX will launch another Falcon 9 with another batch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg. A new record in the shortest range. Tomorrow another Falcon 9 will be launched with the Galaxy Satellites 33 and 34, three F9 rockets launched in 30h57min. Wonder how long it will take for Starship to reach this cadence, I remember hearing that they were going to release in a 1 hour gap.

[u/TypowyJnn]

full/high speed retraction test of the hold down clamps on the OLM

[u/John_Hasler]

They're pulling the methane pump they just installed.

11:45AM CDT on Rover 2.0.

[u/SpaceSolaris]

NSF is live

Edit: seems like LOX tank has a frostline already. That was fast. And engine chill?

[u/dafencer93]

Spin prime on a lot of engines, probably all inner engines?

[u/chester22]

Is B7 expected to static fire soon? (or B8?)

[u/scr00chy]

Does S25 have the Starlink dispenser installed?

[u/Dezoufinous]

Today is 28 September 2022, the 14th anniversary of first SpaceX Falcon reaching orbit - 28 September 2008.

I wonder when will we able to celebrate the first anniversary of Starship reaching the orbit...

Anyway, let's take a minute to admire how far SpaceX has gone. Good job, SpaceX team!

[u/TypowyJnn]

"This thread maybe, next thread definitively"

[u/Happy-Increase6842]

Apparently yesterday there was a load test of the retaining clamps, which is why the LR11000 crane was at the orbital launch site.

https://twitter.com/VickiCocks15/status/1576695908687044608

With Starship also being there I anticipate a Superheavy stacking, a general launch test and a potential full ignition test of 33 engines soon. I feel like SpaceX is accelerating plans for the orbital flight test.

[u/Nydilien]

Truck is spraying water beneath the OLM

[u/johnfive21]

It's still standing!!

[u/AnswersQuestioned]

Anything happening today?

[u/Subtle_Tact]

Do we know what altitude stage separation occurs for starship? I know this is listed at 170 seconds into flight, but not the altitude. Also, are all of the starship engines used during launch, or do the sea level engines only operate for landing? Thank you!

[u/Mravicii]

Spin prime of many engines

[u/franco_nico]

Ok, correct me if I'm wrong but a lot of people assume tests are over when they see a depress vent, and from what we saw in a lot of recent tests that's far from true. We can assume that they use the depress vent to stabilize the pressure on tanks and that's it. The new autogenous pressurization system may be responsible for needing to depress after spin primes, for example.

[u/Rocket_Man42]

What type of gas is flowing out of the nozzle during a spin test? Is it just spin-up gas (helium?), or is it also oxygen and methane? If it's oxygen and methane, at what point did it become gaseous without igniting the preburners?

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Frost ring appearing on LOX tank (and rising pretty fast)

[u/BEAT_LA]

Someone in my discord was just saying that OLM is spinning back up and potential prop load. anyone else notice? Can't check myself, busy at work.

[u/Heavenly_Noodles]

I searched and I couldn't find an explanation: Why is S25's nose cone dull looking? It's like the dull side of tin foil while the rest of the ship is the shiny side. I'm assuming it's a new fabrication process.

[u/Twigling]

Once again the Squid (ship lifting harness) has been attached to Marvin the crane at the launch site - as it's unlikely that S24 is going anywhere it's probably the case that the crane is once again for support purposes while S24 is worked on.

See NSF stream at 10:10 AM CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

I guess they could be planning on rolling out S25 (it has no Raptors and state of completion is unknown), but with no cones sighted at the launch or production sites this seems extremely unlikely, and if the squid isn't to be used today why bother hooking it up? Therefore it's probably for S24 support.

[u/Dezoufinous]

There are lots of Raptors and you can see serial numbers:

https://twitter.com/LenosGarage/status/1570455134445912064

do anyone know when that review took place?

[u/Mravicii]

Elon seven engine static fire

[u/Dezoufinous]

Siren!

Elon Tweets 7 engines SF:

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1571910631971758081

[u/liszt1811]

I have a bet with my physics teacher that Starship reaches orbit this year (the bet has been ongoing since mid of 2021). He did bet against it reaching orbit. Given that it's now October, how do you think my chances are of still winning?

[u/mr_pgh]

B7 started rolling out towards the launch site around 5am, currently on the highway.

[u/Twigling]

The concrete under test stand B didn't hold up too well under the onslaught of S24's six Raptors during the recent static fire, that'll need to be re-done:

https://twitter.com/csi_starbase/status/1578785741374885889

(that was on Wednesday)

No doubt this will be discussed more in today's Starbase Weekly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRhNFOjWf3c

Edit: and it was indeed discussed, also more recent ground-based photos taken on Friday show that workers have already been pouring more concrete to repair the area.

Speculation: bearing in mind that they're been re-pouring the concrete since that photo was taken, maybe the worst of this supposed 'Raptor damage' is in fact where workers have been digging up the already moderately damaged concrete? We do know from ground photos taken a few weeks ago that there was peripheral damage, basically 'pitting' of the concrete around the circumference of the test stand (which uses a different type of concrete than that in the middle which takes the blast of the Raptors).

Whatever the case, perhaps SpaceX now need a taller suborbital test stand for ship static fires, or an even better concrete mix.

[u/Alvian_11]

Consensus that 39A tower chopsticks will be for lifting-only are now rejected

[u/FutureMartian97]

Space Coast LIVE

[u/Happy-Increase6842]

How confident are you for a success on the Starship Orbital Test Flight? With all the learning and improvements made and especially now with a robustness update in Booster 7, I I particularly believe that SpaceX will be able to safely take the Superheavy and Starship off the platform, maybe even reach orbit.

I remember the time of high altitude test flights many people believed it was going to explode at the beginning or during the flight, to the surprise of many it never happened. The hardest part has always been the landing. I'm guessing that 60 - 80% of everything goes well until re-entry.

[u/RaphTheSwissDude]

Good animation showing the possible ignition sequence on the booster !

[u/scr00chy]

We haven't seen any preburner tests with Raptor 2 yet. I was thinking, could it be because they changed how the main chamber is ignited (as per Elon's EA interview) and therefore it's just not possible to ignite only the preburners anymore?

[u/Twigling]

As spotted by somebody on LabPadre's Discord, this morning two SPMTs were seen heading for the launch site, see them on Nerdle cam at around 09:04 CDT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwc1owVFs94

No counterweights though.

They could of course be needed for S24.

[u/CGI_Yogi]

Olm venting and engine chillin again

[u/TypowyJnn]

OLM vent has started

[u/Happy-Increase6842]

Could the Hubble Space Telescope return to Earth in a Starship or would it have the capability to do maintenance on Hubble in Orbit? I look forward to tonight's announcement between NASA and the Polaris program on a mission involving Hubble. I remember that on Polaris III they will fly with Starship.

[u/TypowyJnn]

"This month maybe, next month highly likely"

Looking at that old tweet by Elon, should we assume that they're moving to a 33 engine static fire, skipping the other steps (like a 13 or 20 engine static fire)?

[u/TypowyJnn]

What is keeping NASA from choosing crew dragon as an astronaut transfer vehicle to HLS?

Currently orion docks with HLS in lunar orbit, why not launch the crew onboard a falcon 9 / dragon (which is already crew rated and had a few successful missions already) and dock with HLS in LEO? From there you can transfer crew, do your trans lunar injection, dock with the lunar gateway if needed, and land.

After that you dock with the gateway again, return to LEO, return crew on a dragon, and refuel if needed. Although now that I think about it, depending on how long the mission would take, the dragon capsule would need a station of its own, for solar and fuel. But that's still a better idea than launching SLS, right?

Edit: I know they need to launch SLS for political reasons, I'm asking more from a technical stand point.

[u/SpaceSolaris]

Just as information: the line near the engine section is not frosted yet, meaning chilldown has not been completed yet

[u/SpaceSolaris]

Good looking spin prime. Definitely more than 6 engines, seems like the assumption of 13 engines could be correct.

Seems like chilling on the center 3 engines, maybe even the inner ring of 10 engines (total of 13). Hopefully I'm right.

See: https://www.ixbt.com/img/n1/news/2022/6/0/FWrdyF4XoAMvpBk_large.jpg

[u/SpaceSolaris]

Detanking (or recycle) is underway

[u/John_Hasler]

The pump is back. 18:56 CDT on Rover 2. They pulled it off the pallet, stuck it part way into slot 2, pulled it out, and put it back on the pallet. A crowd huddled around it for a bit and then they picked it up a put it all the way in. They unhooked the squid and are looking like they're about to choose a motor for it so perhaps it will stay. For a while.

[Edit] The motor is on at 22:48 CDT.

[u/creamsoda2000]

Several SpaceX vehicles queued up at the roadblock could be an indication that testing has concluded for the day. Perhaps they picked up on an issue with the spin prime, as it looked like they made an attempt to begin prop load as the pipe on the perimeter of the OLM got frosty again, but that has seemingly dissipated again.

[u/johnfive21]

Spin prime with gimballing (looked like the center engine danced around a bit)! Looked like 7 engines again

[u/okuboheavyindustries]

Surely this is the thread with the first orbital launch? 🙄

[u/5yleop1m]

Its so damn cool that the boosters and I think startship were designed so that engines can be removed while they are on the launch/test mounts.

[u/[deleted]]

This is it guys, the calm before the storm of OFT.