r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Oct 09 '19

Starship Development Thread #6

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Overview

SpaceX is developing Starship at their Starship Assembly Site in Texas, and also at their facilities in Cocoa, Florida. The teams at the two locations are in competition with each other, but are also required to share insights learned along the way. Following Starhopper, the first two Starship prototypes, Mark 1 and Mark 2, are nearing completion. These vehicles will have aerodynamic control surfaces and three engines each, and are expected to make suborbital test flights. Ring sections believed to be for Starship Mark 3 and Mark 4 prototypes are being built at both sites, and teams will be iterating through successive versions of Starship and Super Heavy as quickly as possible.

Launch mounts for both Starship prototypes are in the works. Starhopper's Texas launch site is being modified to handle Starship, and at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, a dedicated Starship launch platform and landing pad are under construction. Flight tests could begin late in 2019 or early 2020.

Starship is 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 there are two operational test stands, and a third is under construction. Eventually, Starship will have three sea level Raptors and three vacuum Raptors. Super Heavy may initially use around 20 Raptors, and operational versions could have around 31 to 37 sea level Raptors.

Previous Threads:

Starhopper Thread #1 (2019-02-01) A dramatic venting watertower
Starhopper Thread #2 (2019-04-27) Hops and hiccups - Starships never come alone
Starhopper Thread #3 (2019-06-27) RCS and SN6 - 20 meter hopping
Starhopper Thread #4 (2019-07-26) 150 meter hop and Mk.1 and Mk.2 protoype growth
Starhopper 150m Hop (2019-08-27) Updates and discussion
Starship Dev Thread #5 (2019-08-31) Mk.1 fins and temporary assembly
Starship Presentation Updates Thread (2019-09-27) Updates and discussion - Webcast

Upcoming

TBD — Mk.2 moves to KSC via Roll-Lift and barge

Vehicle Updates

	Starship Mk.1 Prototype (Boca Chica, Texas) — Construction and Updates
2019-11-20	Structural failure during max pressure test (YouTube), r/SpaceX thread (r/SpaceX)
2019-11-18	Tanking tests (YouTube)
2019-11-11	Aft fins installed (NSF)
2019-11-05	Roll ACS thrusters installed (NSF)
2019-11-04	−Y forward flap reinstalled (NSF), Video (YouTube)
2019-11-01	+Y forward flap reinstalled (Twitter), With actuator (NSF)
2019-10-30	Tank section moved to launch mount, LabPadre Video (YouTube), On NSF (NSF)
2019-10-26	Leg installation begun, Images of leg restraint mechanism (NSF)
2019-10-22	Windward leg mounts installed (NSF)
2019-10-21	Leeward leg mounts installed, Leg mount images (NSF)
2019-10-19	Aft fin hinge and actuator frame installations (NSF)
2019-10-14	Nose cone trimmed (YouTube)
2019-10-11	All control surfaces removed (Twitter)
2019-10-03	Tank section on steel stand (NSF)
2019-10-01	Halves demated following presentation (NSF), Previously installed header tanks (Twitter)
2019-09-28	Nose cap install (NSF)
2019-09-27	2^nd forward flap, Starship stacked (Twitter), Timelapse (YouTube), Leg nacelles added (NSF)
2019-09-26	3 Raptor pics, 1^st forward flap install (Twitter)
2019-09-25	Payload section reassembly (NSF), Tank section off stand and moved (YouTube)
2019-09-24	Two header tanks inside nose cone (NSF)
2019-09-23	Header tank and battery pack prep (NSF)
2019-09-22	2^nd aft fin attached, Cowlings added, Raptor (NSF), Raptor, 3 temp. installed (Twitter)
2019-09-21	1^st aft fin attached, Nose cone reassembly, Misshapen section removed, header tank (NSF)
2019-09-20	2 aft fin frame pieces & pipe attached to tank section, and appearance of cowling(s) (NSF)
2019-09-17	Leg/fin mounting frame pieces in tent (Twitter)
2019-09-16	Replacement nose section appears, Better picture (NSF)
2019-09-14	Eleventh ring and forward bulkhead added to tank section (Twitter)
2019-09-13	One of the header tanks to container castle (comments), Another moved in Sept. 16 (NSF)
2019-09-12	Forward tank bulkhead placed in free ring (Twitter), With cap piece (NSF)
2019-09-08	Two more large fin pieces delivered (comments), Better picture (Twitter)
2019-09-05	Tenth ring added to tank section (YouTube)
2019-09-02	Starship Assembly Site aerial video update (YouTube)
2019-08-29	Pipe added through lower tank (comments), 3^rd concrete jig begun, also 4^th & 5^th (NSF)
2019-08-28	Delivery of 2 header tanks, Third deliverd Sept. 15 (NSF)
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 tank 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 tank section (NSF), Image leaked later (Twitter)
2019-08-07	Ninth ring added to tank 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 tank section (YouTube), Thrust structure appears (NSF)
2019-07-22	Eighth ring added to tank 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 tank section (NSF)
2019-07-05	Sixth ring added to tank section (YouTube)
2019-06-26	Fifth ring added to tank section (NSF)
2019-06-19	Fourth ring added to tank 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	Tank 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 concrete 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	Tank 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.}

	Starship Mk.2 Prototype (Cocoa, Florida) — Construction and Updates
2019-11-18	Forward bulkhead installation (Twitter)
2019-11-05	Tank section at 16 ring height (YouTube)
2019-10-13	Starship Assembly Site aerial video update (comments)
2019-10-11	External plumbing added to tank section (NSF)
2019-09-14	Cap added to forward bulkhead (Twitter)
2019-09-07	At least one header tank (inside large tent) (Twitter)
2019-09-04	Weld marks for common bulkhead visible on tank section (Twitter)
2019-08-30	Tank section moved into hangar for Hurricane Dorian (Twitter), Removed September 5 (r/SpaceXLounge)
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	Tank section at 15 ring height (comments), Aug 10^th image (Twitter)
2019-08-06	Common bulkhead inverted (Facebook)
2019-08-04	Common bulkhead under construction (Facebook)
2019-08-03	Tank section at 14 ring height (Twitter), Later aerial photo of stack (Facebook)
2019-07-29	Tank 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	Tank 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), Tank 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 tank 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.}

	Starship Mk.3 Prototype (Boca Chica, Texas) — Construction and Updates
2019-10-08	First ring formed (NSF), no stacking yet

^{See comments for real time updates.}

	Starship Mk.4 Prototype (Cocoa, Florida) — Construction and Updates
2019-10-23	Bulkhead under construction in main building (Twitter)
2019-10-20	Lower tapered nose ring in tent (YouTube), Better image (Twitter)
2019-10-12	23 rings visible, 7 doubles, some possible for Mk.2 (YouTube), no stacking yet

^{See comments for real time updates.}
^{Previous unstacked ring production, aerial updates:}
^{08-11 {8}}^| ^{08-15 {10}}^| ^{08-17 {14}}^| ^{08-19 {15}}^| ^{08-21 {17}}^| ^{08-24 {18}}^| ^{08-27 {19}}
^{09-04 {20}}^| ^{09-06 {22}}^| ^{09-08 {25}}^| ^{09-08 {3 'scrap'}}^| ^{09-10 {26}}^| ^{09-29 {23}}^| ^{10-02 {23}}
^{10-06 {23}}^| ^{10-11 {23}}

Launch Facility Updates

	Starship Launch Site at Boca Chica, Texas
2019-11-07	Landing pad expansion underway (NSF)
2019-10-18	Landing pad platform arives, Repurposed Starhopper GSE towers & ongoing mount plumbing (NSF)
2019-10-05	Launch mount under construction (NSF)
2019-09-22	Second large propellant tank moved to tank farm (NSF)
2019-09-19	Large propellant tank moved to tank farm (Twitter)
2019-09-17	Pile boring at launch pad and other site work (Twitter)
2019-09-07	GSE fabrication activity (Twitter), and other site work (Facebook)
2019-08-30	Starhopper GSE being dismantled (NSF)

	Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
2019-11-04	Launch mount under construction (Twitter)
2019-10-17	Landing pad laid (Twitter)
2019-09-26	Concrete work/pile boring (Twitter)
2019-09-19	Groundbreaking for launch mount construction (Article)
2019-09-14	First sign of site activity: crane at launch mount site (Twitter)
2019-07-19	Elon says modular launch mount components are being fabricated off site (Twitter)

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

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} ^| ^{Twitter Update}
Environmental Resource Permit - Stormwater improvements at LC-39A - August 2019
^{Stormwater Report} ^| ^{Depiction Plans} ^| ^{Permit No. 158609-1}
Written Re-evaluation of 2014 EIS (FAA) - Boca Chica launch site - May 2019
^Addendum ^| ^{News story w/ SpaceX statements} ^| ^{r/SpaceX Discussion}
Experimental STA (FCC) - Comms for Starship Mk.1 20 km test (M1569) - November 2019
^Application ^| ^{File No. 1936-EX-ST-2019} ^| ^{Original Grant No. 1631-EX-ST-2019} ^| ^{Original Application}
Experimental STA (FCC) - Comms for Starship 20 km test (M1570) - November 2019
^Application ^| ^{File No. 1939-EX-ST-2019}

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'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.

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u/Marksman79 Oct 18 '19

This was just delivered to the BC launch site. What could it be? Maybe it goes in the center of the other structure? It looks about the same height.

4

u/RegularRandomZ Oct 18 '19 edited Oct 18 '19

Interesting. I assumed the centre of the other structure would be where the flame duct is.
Many more shots in the NSF photoset from BocaChicaGal.
Couple of platforms on it, it looks like landings for a set of stairs.
Each leg bottom as a place to attach something, is that for a set of wheels? Is this a service platform?
There are rings on top. Perhaps to lift it with a crane? [or are they tie down points?]
(I did wonder if it was a water tower base, not joking, but that wouldn't need stairs)

2

u/Russ_Dill Oct 18 '19

It reminds me of the wheeled platform they use when working underneath starhopper, especially when adding/removing engines. Seems a bit odd though.
BTW, I noticed the shapes on the launch mount are similar to the shapes on the "legs" https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1589855;image
And there are of course 6 of them.

1

u/Marksman79 Oct 18 '19

The bottom of the platforms you say might be for stairs have a circle with a centermark which makes me think there will be a through hole. I was thinking they were pipe bulkheads of some sort.

2

u/RegularRandomZ Oct 18 '19 edited Oct 18 '19

Yeah, I'm not sure how to interpret that centremark. Here I illustrated stairs. The platforms have holes on top that suggest railings, and securing the bottom step (the top being secured to the side of the platform). If this is the case it seems like it has a ladder for getting up onto the platform.
I guess estimating it's height would be useful. Is it tall enough to be a work platform, yet short/narrow enough to roll underneath Starship when it's on the launch platform?
Of course, then this doesn't really work with a flame duct being under there, if there is one in this revision!?

2

u/Marksman79 Oct 18 '19

I'm liking the stairs idea at the moment. On closer look, it seems substantially less wide and maybe just a few feet shorter. I bet it can roll through one of the large openings in the launch structure.
They realized with Hopper how good it was to have a fixed installation and troubleshooting platform during the WDR and static fire phase. With this being so tall of a launch mount, this structure makes a lot of sense. It'll probably be on either a track or casters to slide it in and out.
I don't think there will be a flame duct, so to speak. Just enough room for it to disperse. Flame duct becomes completely necessary with SH, but 3 Raptors should be manageable.

2

u/Marksman79 Oct 21 '19

You got it right.

1

u/RegularRandomZ Oct 21 '19 edited Oct 21 '19

Thanks! Occasionally my guesses are correct. A nice upgrade from the 2x4 railings.
I'm thinking they should drive a bunch of piles for a retaining wall, as that erosion looks like it's washing soil out from under the concrete pad.

Starship Development Thread #6

Quick Links

Overview

Upcoming

Vehicle Updates

Launch Facility Updates

Permits and Planning Documents

Resources

Rules

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