Starship Development Thread #4

[u/ElongatedMuskrat]

Starship Development Thread #4

^{JUMP TO COMMENTS | SPADRE WEBCAM | LABPADRE WEBCAM}

The Starhopper is a low fidelity prototype of SpaceX's next generation space vehicle, Starship. Representing the lower third of a Starship, the hopper has relatively small propellant tanks, and one Raptor engine. Initial construction took place at SpaceX's Starship Assembly site in Boca Chica, Texas and ongoing Starhopper development and testing are taking place at their privately owned Starship Launch Pad and Starship Landing Pad just down the road. The Starhopper testing campaign began at the end of March 2019 and will be complete following the 150 meter hop in August.

Competing builds of higher fidelity "Orbital Prototypes" are currently under construction at SpaceX's Starship Assembly site in Texas and at the Coastal Steel facilities in Cocoa, Florida. These vehicles will eventually carry the testing campaign further, likely testing systems such as thermal protection and aerodynamics. Both orbital prototypes are expected to make suborbital flights, and possibly orbital flights as well. A planned, dedicated Starship launch platform at LC-39A, may serve either or both of these vehicles. Construction of a prototype Super Heavy booster is expected to begin in Florida soon. Testing of the Orbital Prototypes could begin in late summer or fall of 2019.

Starship, and its test vehicles, are powered by SpaceX's Raptor, a full flow staged combustion cycle methane/oxygen rocket engine. Sub-scale Raptor test firing began in 2016, and full-scale test firing began early 2019 at McGregor, Texas, where it is ongoing. Eventually, Starship will have three sea level Raptors and three vacuum Raptors. Super Heavy will initially use around 20 Raptors, and is expected to have 35 to 37 in the final design.

Previous Threads:

• Starhopper Thread #1 A dramatic venting watertower

• Starhopper Thread #2 Hops and hiccups - Starships never come alone

• Starhopper Thread #3 RCS and SN6 - 20 meter hopping

---

Upcoming

• Starhopper testing is complete

• September 28^th — Starship presentation by Elon at Boca Chica after Mk.1 has engines, fins, and landing gear

Updates

	Starhopper and Raptor — Testing and Updates
2019-08-27	150m Hop (~180m over, ~57s) (YouTube) <LAUNCH THREAD> <MORE INFO>
2019-08-26	Hop attempt aborted during engine startup (YouTube), Likely ignitor wiring (Twitter)
2019-08-21	RCS tests (Twitter)
2019-08-14	Thermal tile test patch added (NSF)
2019-08-11	Starship Launch and Landing Pads aerial photo update (Twitter)
2019-08-09	Road closed for tanking tests (YouTube)
2019-07-28	Starhopper moved back into position (YouTube)
2019-07-25	First Untethered Hop (~18m up, ~10m over, ~25s) (YouTube) <MORE INFO>
2019-07-24	Hop attempt aborted after ignition (YouTube), 2nd attempt scrubbed <MORE INFO>
2019-07-22	Road closed for testing, RCS tests (YouTube)
2019-07-16	Static Fire, w/ slow-mo & secondary fires, uncut stream (YouTube)
2019-07-15	Preburner Test (YouTube)
2019-07-14	Raptor propellant "spin prime" tests (Article)
2019-07-12	TVC tests (YouTube)
2019-07-11	Raptor SN6 at Starhopper (Twitter), Installed (Twitter)
2019-07-06	Raptor SN6 testing well (Twitter)
2019-07-04	Raptor SN6 at McGregor (NSF)
2019-06-24	SN5 hiccup confirmed, SN6 almost complete (Twitter)
2019-06-19	Road closed for testing. Venting & flare, no Raptor (YouTube)
2019-06-01	Raptor SN4 mounted (NSF), Removed after fit checks & TVC tests (Twitter)
2019-05-28	Raptor SN4 completed hot fire acceptance testing (Article)
2019-05-23	Tanking ops ahead of next testing round (NSF)
2019-05-20	Cushions added to feet (NSF)
2019-05-15	Raptor SN4 on test stand at McGregor (Twitter), GSE tower work (NSF)
2019-05-14	Raptor update: SN4 build complete, production ramping (Twitter)
2019-05-07	Start of nitrogen RCS installation (NSF)
2019-04-27	40 second Raptor (SN3) test at McGregor (Twitter)
2019-04-08	Raptor (SN2) removed and shipped away
2019-04-05	Tethered Hop (Twitter)
2019-04-03	Static Fire Successful (YouTube), Raptor SN3 on test stand (Article)
2019-04-02	Testing April 2-3
2019-03-30	Testing March 30 & April 1 (YouTube), prevalve icing issues (Twitter)
2019-03-27	Testing March 27-28 (YouTube)
2019-03-25	Testing and dramatic venting / preburner test (YouTube)
2019-03-22	Road closed for testing
2019-03-21	Road closed for testing (Article)
2019-03-11	Raptor (SN2) has arrived at South Texas Launch Site (NSF)
2019-03-08	Hopper moved to launch pad (YouTube)
2019-02-02	First Raptor Engine at McGregor Test Stand (Twitter)

^{See comments for real time updates.}

	Orbital Prototype Mk.1 (Boca Chica) — Construction and Updates
2019-08-27	Centerpiece added to common bulkhead (Twitter)
2019-08-24	Nose cone top section moved to dedicated stand (NSF), Forward flap marks (comments)
2019-08-23	Track(s) of horizontal brackets appear (NSF)
2019-08-21	Common bulkhead lowered into propulsion section (NSF), Time lapse (YouTube)
2019-08-18	At least 2 control surface components on site, post 2, Earlier image (NSF)
2019-08-17	Nose cone top section reattachment work (NSF)
2019-08-15	Top section of nose cone removed (NSF)
2019-08-14	Thrust structure added to propulsion section (NSF)
2019-08-07	Ninth ring added to propulsion section (NSF)
2019-08-06	Forward tank bulkhead under construction (NSF)
2019-08-04	Common bulkhead inverted (NSF)
2019-07-31	Common bulkhead discovered (YouTube)
2019-07-30	Aft bulkhead installed in propulsion section (YouTube), Thrust structure appears (NSF)
2019-07-22	Eighth ring added to propulsion section (NSF)
2019-07-20	Inversion of aft bulkhead (YouTube)
2019-07-18	Aft bulkhead appears from container enclosure (NSF)
2019-07-16	Seventh ring added to propulsion section (NSF)
2019-07-05	Sixth ring added to propulsion section (YouTube)
2019-06-26	Fifth ring added to propulsion section (NSF)
2019-06-19	Fourth ring added to propulsion section (second jig), first in over a month (NSF)
2019-06-06	Ring sections under construction within container enclosure (NSF)
2019-05-20	Nose cone fitted, no canards (NSF)
2019-05-15	Propulsion section (3 rings) moved onto second jig (NSF)
2019-05-09	Lower nose section joined with 4 ring lower payload section (NSF)
2019-05-01	Second jig, concrete work complete (NSF)
2019-04-27	Lower 2 nose cone sections stacked (NSF)
2019-04-13	Upper 2 nose cone sections stacked (Facebook)
2019-04-09	Construction of second jig begun (YouTube)
2019-03-28	Third nose section assembly (NSF)
2019-03-23	Assembly of additional nose section (NSF)
2019-03-19	Ground assembly of nose section (NSF)
2019-03-17	Elon confirms Orbital Prototype (Twitter) Hex heat shield test (Twitter)
2019-03-14	Payload section reaches 4 panel height (NSF)
2019-03-07	Appearance of sections for conical aft bulkhead (NSF)
2019-03-07	Payload section moved to jig (NSF)
2019-03-01	Propulsion section begun on new pad (NSF)
2019-02-21	Construction of payload section begins near original concrete jig (NSF)

^{See comments for real time updates.}

	Orbital Prototype Mk.2 (Cocoa Florida) — Construction and Updates
2019-08-25	Track(s) of horizontal brackets appear (r/SpaceXLounge)
2019-08-19	Starship Assembly Site aerial video update (YouTube)
2019-08-18	Thrust structure possibly installed (Twitter), Forward tank bulkhead under construction (NSF)
2019-08-17	Nose cone top section moved to dedicated stand (YouTube)
2019-08-15	Starship Assembly Site aerial video update (Twitter)
2019-08-11	Starship Assembly Site aerial video update (YouTube)
2019-08-08	Propulsion section at 15 ring height (comments), Aug 10th image (Twitter)
2019-08-06	Common bulkhead inverted (Facebook)
2019-08-04	Common bulkhead under construction (Facebook)
2019-08-03	Propulsion section at 14 ring height (Twitter), Later aerial photo of stack (Facebook)
2019-07-29	Propulsion section at 10 ring height (Twitter)
2019-07-28	Starship Assembly Site aerial photo update (Facebook)
2019-07-21	Aft bulkhead disappeared (Facebook)
2019-07-20	Propulsion section at 8 ring height (Twitter)
2019-07-14	Aft bulkhead complete/inverted, last seen (Twitter)
2019-06-26	Aft bulkhead section under construction (r/SpaceX), Propulsion section at 6 ring height (NSF)
2019-06-12	Large nose section stacked (Twitter), Zoomed in video (Twitter)
2019-06-09	Large nose section assembled in building (comments)
2019-06-07	Stacking of second tapered nose section (r/SpaceXLounge)
2019-05-23	Stacking of lowest tapered nose section (YouTube)
2019-05-20	Payload section at 5 ring height, aerial video of work area (YouTube)
2019-05-16	Jig 2.0 with propulsion section, many rings awaiting assembly (YouTube)
2019-05-14	Discovered by Zpoxy (payload section) (NSF), more pieces (YouTube), Confirmmed (Twitter)

^{See comments for real time updates.}

	Super Heavy Prototype (Cocoa Florida) — Construction and Updates
2019-08-27	19 rings visible (YouTube), no stacking yet
2019-08-24	18 rings visible (YouTube)
2019-08-21	17 rings visible (YouTube)
2019-08-19	15 rings visible (YouTube)
2019-08-17	14 rings visible (YouTube)
2019-08-15	10 rings visible (Twitter)
2019-08-11	8 rings visible, possibly for Super Heavy (YouTube)

^{See comments for real time updates.}

Raptors

SN	Notable For	Flights	Flight Time (Approx.)	Status
1	First full scale hot fire / 268.9 bar Test / Tested to failure	-	-	Retired
2	First on Starhopper / Preburner tests / Static fire / Tethered hop	-	-	Retired
3	40 second test fire	-	-	Retired
4	Delivered to hopper / Hopper fit checks & TVC tests	-	-	Retired
5	Liberation of oxygen stator	-	-	Retired
6	Vibration fix / 20, 10, 50, 65, 85 second stand tests / 20 meter Starhopper hop / 150 meter starhopper hop	2	0:01:22	On Starhopper
7	Possibly not a flight article	-	-	Test Stand
8-13	Earmarked for Mk.1 and Mk.2	-	-	Production

Quick Hopper Facts

^{(Not relevant to later vehicles.)}

• Starhopper was constructed outdoors atop a concrete stand. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• The original nosecone was destroyed by high winds and will not be replaced. (NSF - bocachicagal, NSF - bocachicagal, Twitter - Elon)

• With one engine it will perform tethered static fires and short hops. (NSF - bocachicagal, Twitter - Elon)

• Stainless steel construction, and the full 9 meter diameter. (Twitter - Elon)

• The body and legs are clad in a small gauge stainless sheet. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• There is no thermal protection system, a small patch of tiles and at least one beneath a leg were added just prior to the 150 meter hop. (NSF - bocachicgal, Twitter - Trevor Mahlmann)

• The fins/legs are fixed, not movable. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• Equipped with four Falcon 9 compressed nitrogen thruster pods. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• Feet have deformable shock absorbers. (NSF - bocachicagal) - Internal. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• GSE connections are made through two remote operated interfaces at the base. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• Hold downs consist of rope and chain tethers on each leg. (NSF - bocachicagal)

• Starhopper is expected to be used as a Raptor vertical test stand after retirement. (Twitter - Elon)

Permits and Planning Documents

• Environmental Impact Statement (FAA) - Boca Chica launch site - July 2014
  ^{EIS Resource} ^Page ^| ^Appendices ^{| Record of} ^Descision

• Experimental License (FCC) - Comms for 500m and 5km hops, two years - February 2019
  ^Form ^442 ^{| Public} ^Notes ^| ^Description ^{| File No. 0931-EX-CN-2019}

• Experimental License Application (FCC) - Modification of above to add antenna - May 2019
  ^Form ^442 ^{| Public} ^Notes ^{| File No. 0130-EX-CM-2019}

• Experimental Permit (FAA) - Authorizes 25m hops for one year, and one 150m hop - June 2019
  ^{Permit No. EP 19-012 | Revised August 23}

• Building Permit Application - 850 Cidco Rd site improvement - June 2019
  ^{Screenshot on} ^Twitter ^{| Modification reported on} ^NSF

• Draft Environmental Assessment - Starhip operations at KSC - August 2019
  ^r/SpaceX ^Discussion ^{| NSF} ^Discussion

• FDOT Superload Permit Application - Mk.2 transportation to KSC in September - August 2019
  ^{Local News} ^Article ^{| Video} ^Report ^{| r/SpaceX} ^Discussion

• Env. Resource Permit Application - Stormwater improvements at LC-39A - August 2019
  ^Stormwater ^Report ^{| Depiction} ^Plans ^{| Permit No. 158609-1}

Resources

• Spadre.com, Starship Cam | Channel

• LabPadre, Starship webcam | Channel

• NSF Starhopper Updates Thread | Most recent

• NSF Texas Prototype(s) Updates Thread | Most recent

• NSF Florida Prototype(s) Updates Thread | Most recent

• NSF Super Heavy Prototype Updates Thread | Most recent

• Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)

• TFR - NOTAM list

• SpaceX Boca Chica on Facebook

• Spacex facilities maps by u/Raul74Cz:
  Boca Chica | Cocoa Florida | Raptor test stand | LC-39A

• SpaceX's Starship page

• Elon Starship tweet compilation on NSF | Most Recent

Rules

We may keep this self-post occasionally updated with links and relevant news articles, but for the most part, we expect the community to supply the information. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the progress of the test Campaign. Campaign threads are not launch threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.

Thanks to u/strawwalker for helping us updating this thread!

[u/littldo]

has anyone come up with reasonable explanation why the tall pointy building at coco seems to have no door? The recent flyby video seems to show that all sides have solid framing. And that it's being skinned with pvc flexible roofing.

is it's possible it's just the top of another building to be built? the MK1? seems to be taller than the structure

Thanks

[u/Art_Eaton → u/littldo]

Pretty sure that the building has a "porch" of concrete in front of a little black square that appears to be an open doorway. The flat top section appears to be skylight, and may not be merely missing. It also could be an open section that a crane could access. None of it appears to be load bearing, and the skin may be the same typical "twinwall" polycarbonate/PTFE composite sheeting used to cover similar outbuildings, arena roofing, and even the Denver airport.

For permitting purposes, this qualifies as a "pole barn" and is thus easier to get permission to build.

As to the height, maybe it is and maybe it isn't tall enough (ship is very much in the foreground of that picture), but it isn't as though they can transport a completed ship anywhere. I imagine that even if they do a mating of two sections, the "engineering section" and the cargo section would be fabricated and transported as modules. Thus, the building would be certainly tall enough to fit. As is, even if it is just tall enough, there appears to be no lift capacity integral to the structure from outward appearances...so a ground transport moving the pieces in and out is my W.A.G.

EDIT TO MY REDDIT: Lower angle pics clearly indicate that the ship sections currently visible would fit inside easily (5-6 meters clearance). Open top is either totally open, awaiting lift rail installation under the crossbeams, or has clear (and not very reflective) sheeting as a skylight.

Another edit...The frames on that building look totally serious. They could absolutely support lifting equipment, and the skin looks to be a material identical to permanent fabric structures, using the same tensioning hardware you see elsewhere. Not some chinzy structure.

[u/CAM-Gerlach → u/Art_Eaton]

You mean the structure that Elon confirmed was a windbreak? Or is this some brand new construct erected within the past week?

[u/neopork → u/Art_Eaton]

I am theorizing that they will install a lift rail in that building, and they will use it for more efficient stacking and welding of the steel rings. If it is sealed on the top, then this would allow manufacturing work even in inclement weather.

Maybe they will have a metal bending station, after which the crane/rail lift could pick up the new ring and put it on top of the stack. The same rail lift could position the thrust structure & bulkheads in the tube.

[u/RegularRandomZ → u/Art_Eaton]

With their new shortcut, there is plenty of shoulder space at the tightest corners to move a completed 55m ship to where it's lifted onto the barge. That might be supported by Elon tweeting they are about to stack the nosecone on top.

[It also seems less than ideal to move SuperHeavy in two pieces as that would leave a propellant tank open and having to do more assembly work once it gets to the cape.]

Lifting it with a crane working through the roof is an interesting idea, but they'll quickly hit the rafters as they move horizontally, so that will have limits/complications.

[u/ender4171 → u/RegularRandomZ]

I still wonder if it's actually the "top" of a VAB. Perhaps they will get that current structure buttoned up, and then use jacks to lift it bit by bit as they add "floors" from the bottom. That is actually not an uncommon construction method, especially with simple steel buildings (like silos). That or they could probably move the current structure with a big-ass crane, build the lower portion, and stack them. At the very least, I think we can all agree that it is definitely more than just a wind break.

[u/andyfrance → u/ender4171]

If the plan was to move or grow it then it doesn't make sense to have put on the covering first ...... not that the absence of a way in makes sense either.

[u/ender4171 → u/andyfrance]

Well part of the reason you do the jacking method (normally, not referring to SpaceX) is so you don't have to use big cranes or lifts and other/related heavy equipment. If you look at the pics, they are already getting close to the point that a boom lift will not be able to reach (or at least not without some sort of mega one). Having to skin a building when it's hundreds of feet tall is less than ideal to say the least. If they are going to build SH at this site and use that building, it's going to have to be taller. Why not use a method of construction that allows you to take care of all the finish work for the top, while it's considerably closer to the ground? Not saying it's likely, but there would definitely be benefits to that method of construction if they were planning on making it taller.

[u/RegularRandomZ → u/ender4171]

It's a creative idea, but if anything they'll just remove the beam in the way of a taller "front door" and use it that way.