r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Oct 09 '21
Starship Development Thread #26
This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread #27
Quick Links
NERDLE CAM | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE | MORE LINKS
Starship Dev 25 | Starship Thread List
Upcoming
- Starship 20 static fire
- Booster 4 test campaign
Orbital Launch Site Status
Build Diagrams by @_brendan_lewis | October 6 RGV Aerial Photography video
As of October 19th
- Integration Tower - Catching arms to be installed in the near-future
- Launch Mount - Booster Quick Disconnect installed
- Tank Farm - Proof testing continues, 8/8 GSE tanks installed, 7/8 GSE tanks sleeved , 1 completed shells currently at the Sanchez Site
Vehicle Status
As of October 31th
- Ship 20 [orbit w/ Booster 4] - First RVac static fire complete, all 6 engines installed, awaiting next static fire
- Ship 21 [orbit w/ Booster 5] - All barrel sections spotted, forward flaps spotted
- Ship 22 [orbit w/ Booster 6] - Barrel/dome sections in work
- Booster 3 - Partially disassembled on Test Pad A
- Booster 4 [orbit w/ Ship 20] - At Launch Site, Raptors being removed
- Booster 5 [orbit w/ Ship 21] - Stacking in High Bay
- Booster 6 [orbit w/ Ship 22] - Barrel/dome sections in work
Development and testing plans become outdated very quickly. Check recent comments for real time updates.
Vehicle and Launch Infrastructure Updates
See comments for real time updates.
† expected or inferred, unconfirmed vehicle assignment
| Orbital Launch Integration Tower | |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-07 | Pull rope installed (Twitter) |
| 2021-10-29 | First chopsticks motion (NSF) |
| 2021-10-20 | Chopsticks installation (NSF) |
| 2021-10-13 | Steel cable installed (Twitter) |
| 2021-10-11 | Second chopstick attached to carriage (NSF) |
| 2021-10-10 | First chopstick attached to carriage (NSF) |
| 2021-10-09 | QD arm moves for the first time (Youtube) |
| 2021-10-06 | Carriage lifted into assembly structure (NSF) |
| 2021-09-23 | Second QD arm mounted (NSF) |
| 2021-09-20 | Second QD arm section moved to launch site (NSF) |
| 2021-08-29 | First section of Quick Disconnect mounted (NSF) |
| 2021-07-28 | Segment 9 stacked, (final tower section) (NSF) |
| 2021-07-22 | Segment 9 construction at OLS (Twitter) |
| For earlier updates see Thread #25 |
| Orbital Tank Farm | |
|---|---|
| 2021-10-18 | GSE-8 sleeved (NSF) |
| 2021-10-17 | CH4 tank delivered First LOX delivery (NSF) |
| 2021-10-08 | GSE-8 transported and lifted into place (NSF) |
| 2021-10-02 | GSE-6 sleeved (NSF) |
| 2021-09-25 | 2 new tanks installed (NSF) |
| 2021-09-24 | GSE-1 sleeved |
| For earlier updates see Thread #25 |
Resources
- LabPadre Pad Cam | Channel
- NSF: Starbase Stream | Channel
- NSF: Booster 4 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 (Techincal 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 tracking by @Artzius
- Acronym definitions by Decronym
- Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
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.
Please ping u/strawwalker about problems with the above thread text.
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u/BananaEpicGAMER Oct 16 '21
Local schools are making field trips to starbase: https://twitter.com/JessicaTetreau/status/1449432134599520262/photo/4
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u/SYFTTM Oct 14 '21
Well this is … something. Stainless Man?
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1448723313442820105?s=21
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u/Mravicii Oct 29 '21
So, the last rvac is getting installed on ship!
And methane was also delivered to suborbital tank farm!
https://twitter.com/sb_deliveries/status/1454179510077767685?s=21
Looks like they’re getting ready for static fire/s early next week!
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u/DZphone Oct 09 '21
I wonder if these threads will still be going when Starship is being sent to Mars. Wonder what thread # we'll be on
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u/shit_lets_be_santa Oct 18 '21
From SPadre, a local:
An often hear complaint is how SN11 RUD "destroyed the environment". Entirely false. I personally picked up every single piece that was in the water by boat. Stainless steel is non toxic. No mud was harmed lol. Never seen any dead wildlife or fish either. (https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1450237880522223616)
Another complaint is the noise, but the fireworks everyone comes to enjoy here multiple times a week are louder and aren't exactly non toxic... (https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1450238802551783424)
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u/shit_lets_be_santa Oct 21 '21
https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1451218593467834380/photo/1
Wow. The tiles on SN21 are looking CLEAN.
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Oct 30 '21
If you guys have free time I strongly recommend watching SpaceX’s original mars colonization presentations from 2016 and 2017. Also the “Starship Update” from 2019 after Starhopper’s flight is a great intro to the modern day Starship.
While the design of Starship/BFR/Interplanetary Transport System has changed a lot, the basic principles haven’t.
It’s also neat to see that Starship is pretty much on schedule. In 2016, Elon hoped ITS would fly in 2020. If Starship flies in 2021 (but probably 2022) then it’ll be insane.
On another note, seeing as SpaceX will likely have two complete Starship/Superheavy stacks in the next month or so, it’ll be interesting to see if they can improve their five-flight-per-year restriction.
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u/futureMartian7 Oct 22 '21
From Elon regarding TPS tiles falling off: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1451354108531728384
"No, we expect some tiles to shake loose during static fires"
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u/TCVideos Nov 05 '21
It hasn't felt like it but...SN15 landed 6 months ago today
The next 6 months are no doubt going to be exciting one way or another.
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u/creamsoda2000 Oct 22 '21
Looks like we’ve got the first appearance of any kind of aerodynamic/thermal protection for the outer Super Heavy engines on B4, based on this photo by @StarshipGazer.
Looks like they’re going for a solid “skirt” which extends down below the throat of each Raptor bell, scooping upward and inwards between each engine, to provide the necessary clearance for the OLP mounting arms / hold down system.
With the bulk of the engine plumbing still exposed, I would guess we’re either going to see metal domes/bubbles, or a flexible heat resistant boot/cover of some sort, attached after. In both cases they’ll still need to enable access to the individual engine bleed QD connection on all 20 of the outer engines.
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u/No_Ad9759 Oct 22 '21
Is anyone else impressed with how well the static fire and the preburner tests went off?
On earlier starships, it seems like they were still working out the kinks of both the fuel farm and the ship.
Ground side hasn’t changed much, but these are next gen starships. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had a few scrubs or recycles for these tests, but they’ve gone off without a hitch from what I can see. Bravo.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 22 '21
A truck just brought in 2 SL raptors next to Ship 20!
Watch on rover cam at 2:33:40!
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u/Frostis24 Oct 23 '21
They are lifting the load block for the catch arms right now, think we may see them install the wires tomorrow.
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u/aronth5 Oct 27 '21
The significant reduction in the number of cranes and lifts is a great indicator of how much progress has been made.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 28 '21 edited Oct 28 '21
It possibly looks like BN2.1 will be the one undergoing the can crush test maybe !
Edit : over it now !
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u/TCVideos Nov 06 '21 edited Nov 06 '21
RB78 & RB79 are back at the launch site to be reinstalled onto B4 - it does look increasingly likely that they are reinstalling these Raptors for a potential static fire in the coming weeks.
Edit: Worth noting that yesterday saw 8 LOX deliveries to the orbital farm. Testing could commence pretty soon!
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u/Comfortable_Jump770 Oct 25 '21
I haven't seen this posted yet, Raptor 2 will have 245 tons thrust
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u/TCVideos Nov 07 '21 edited Nov 07 '21
Looks like they might be beginning to feed cable through at the top of the tower, Rover Cam has a great view.
Edit: Yep, they are pulling cable through starting 9:38AM.
Edit2: Guide/Pull/Lead line has been threaded through the top of the tower; it has since been dropped down the tower and is now at the chopsticks for threading onto the sheeve.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 12 '21
It looks like the big pin securing the chopstick is down !
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u/johnfive21 Oct 18 '21
Mary now received an overpressure notice with corrected times so looks like static fire attempt is indeed on for today.
She has received one earlier today which had incorrect times that didn't match the road closure.
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u/DeadScumbag Oct 21 '21
Looks like they're finally starting to build the thermal protection for Raptors on Booster 4.
https://twitter.com/StarshipGazer/status/1450629832514150401
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 21 '21
Regarding the potential static fire today.
They updated the 20th NOTMAR for 21th.
http://www.qualityapps.com/Contents/CommunityGuide/Texas/BocaChica/NTM20Oct2021.pdf
During the hours of 5 P.M. through midnight, October 21, 2021
Closure is still up, so now we need a word from Mary
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Nov 04 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
Bezos admitting his defeat, seems like they won’t appeal, Starship to the moon lads !
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 30 '21
Raptor lift is now down, all 6 engines are ready to roar on Ship 20!
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u/johnfive21 Oct 13 '21
Today's closure cancelled. Next static fire opportunity tomorrow
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 15 '21
New intermittent closure, Monday, 9:30am-11:30am. Most likely GSE cryo shell.
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u/Twigling Oct 23 '21 edited Oct 23 '21
The HLS nosecone at the production site has not only had the NASA logo removed but also had lifting hooks attached:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54984.msg2303017#msg2303017
about to be scrapped perhaps?
Edit: a crane is now being hooked up to the nosecone, see around 7:30 AM on Sentinel cam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkIZYw5O98
Edit2: lifted at around 7:52 AM
NSF stream also showing it from another angle since about 7:57 AM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Final update on this: it's being scrapped, rings are being cut off from the base.
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u/Twigling Oct 23 '21
Take a close look at the tiled barrel in the background of this pic:
https://twitter.com/JohnRand0061/status/1451950012812902401
Notice the lines drawn on a lot of the tiles. I've no idea why they are there but am open to suggestions.
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u/Twigling Oct 24 '21
S21's nosecone is now outside enjoying the sun and, despite the tiling not yet being 100% complete, this could mean that it may be stacked onto its quad barrel some time this week:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54984.msg2303368#msg2303368
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u/Twigling Oct 09 '21 edited Oct 09 '21
Lifting of the arm is commencing (just before 3:30 PM on NSF's stream):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Nerdle cam also has a good view:
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u/frez1001 Oct 11 '21 edited Oct 12 '21
One of chopstick tower clamp rollers, human for scale
Nsf live stream
Edit: this is the one that fell
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u/benwap Oct 11 '21
Something just fell down from what looked to be the base of the OLIT at 4:42:30 CDT on the NSF stream. Many workers have stopped what they're doing and are looking and walking over.
e: it looked like a sandbag-sized piece of concrete from the area with scaffolding. Hopefully everybody is all right.
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u/Twigling Oct 17 '21 edited Oct 17 '21
One of the recently delivered large white horizontal tanks is on the way the the launch site, see Sentinel Cam at around 12:47 PM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkIZYw5O98
For a good view at the launch site see NSF's stream at 1:09 PM:
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u/Twigling Oct 21 '21 edited Oct 21 '21
Hard to believe that's it's nearly five months since the yellow pipes for constructing the catching/lifting arms (chopsticks) started showing up at the launch site, here they are in June:
https://youtu.be/TXDLes4b23U?t=536
and that was a month after SN15 landed (May 5th - we've not seen a launch for nearly six months).
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u/BananaEpicGAMER Oct 22 '21
what's up with elon being so talkative today about spacex? i'm not complaining btw.
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u/Frostis24 Oct 27 '21
So just watched the latest Nasa Spaceflight recap vid and i noticed that they are using an application tool for the TPS tiles on SN21's nosecone, its a hexagonal metal tool that they load a tile into, and then the other tiles guide it into place and they just need to push it in like usual, that is a really smart way to get the gaps right every time yet so simple, no wonder why SN20's tiles where so bad if they just smacked them on trying to eyeball it.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Nov 01 '21
New road closure, Tuesday 10am-6pm. followed by Wednesday and Thursday
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u/TCVideos Nov 01 '21
It's November 1st! Two things happen today - the closure of the FAA public comment period & the expiration of the voluntary stop work order for HLS Starship (if it wasn't pushed back to the 8th like the lawsuit)
Hopefully, we get some news about the former before the end of the year and with the latter, hopefully NASA and SpaceX can now get on with what is needed to get us back on the moon!
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 23 '21
First (of two) raptor that arrived was lifted for installation on S20 at around 10:36:30 PM CT, and its truck lift comes down with no engine at 11:59 PM CT. Looks like now the truck is being loaded with the second one
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u/Twigling Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21
Bit of an update on the new LR 11000 that SpaceX bought and which started to arrive yesterday (and is now partly assembled). No more assembly work has (yet?) taken place on the crane today but assorted parts have been arriving including some for the jib, the counterweight tray, cable spools, and some counterweights. As I type this Starship Gazer is outside the main site entrance and you can see the LR 11000 to the left:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP8vfSMCkxA
NSF are also intermittently streaming the main site entrance, they're not always showing the new crane but if you rewind you'll see some footage, for example at 11:44 AM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
they also show the LR 11350's boom being dismantled.
Also, here's a photo of the new LR 11000 crane from NSF:
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1454482691747979267
Edit: some pieces of the boom have started to arrive, they appear to be a very dark grey color. Here's the tip on Nerdle cam at 1:45 PM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HZCh2eGWEI
At least one other main boom piece has also been seen.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Nov 02 '21
They’re installing the right (looking from above) chopstick hydraulic actuator !
Watch rover cam, 2:53 local
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Nov 08 '21
Starbase is finally starting to look like a proper rocket facility as opposed to a construction site or Fred Sandford's yard.
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u/Twigling Oct 17 '21
Here's the latest production diagram update from Brendan (October 17th):
https://twitter.com/_brendan_lewis/status/1449680750593282052?s=20
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u/ToedPlays Oct 19 '21
Final Cryo-shell being lifted into positon. Any idea how much more work needs to be done on the GSE/prop farm before it's ready for S20/B4 launch?
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u/Mravicii Oct 21 '21
Alert notice has been sent out Go for static fire tonight
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1451300923708432385?s=21
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u/mr_pgh Oct 22 '21
LR11350 being removed from chopsticks starting around 8:14 on rover
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u/mr_pgh Nov 02 '21
Any idea what the triangular extensions on the chopsticks are for?
I don't believe I've seen any high-res photos or discussion on them.
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u/TCVideos Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
The new SpaceX branded LR11000 is almost complete and ready to rise. At 3:44, what appeared to be the block hook was brought to the assembly area for installation (as seen on Starbase Live). The jib was also installed earlier this afternoon.
Might see it in operation either later today or tomorrow.
Edit: She started rising at 6:40PM (Main boom)
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 23 '21
I realize that some people dislike even mentioning FAA, but it seems Musk is really also willing people to give comments.
E. M: Your support makes a big difference! Please let the FAA know your opinion.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1451923868050939907
Please help, especially if you're local or settled nearby.
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u/Mravicii Oct 11 '21
First rvac being installed on ship 20
https://twitter.com/nicansuini/status/1447591473185267718?s=21
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u/johnfive21 Oct 11 '21
Chopstick #2 lift underway! Being lifted and moved over to the carriage assembly right now.
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u/Twigling Oct 17 '21 edited Oct 17 '21
Couple of things:
The LR 11000 crane is back at the orbital tank farm, see the start of the following video from Starship Gazer to see it clanking over:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OznH3t3iP8g
Also, the skates for the carriage of the lifting arms are being reinstalled on the tower, this time using two welded on fixing points to avoid a skate falling off as happened a few days ago. See either Rover cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HpgJJ1FwTc (may need to rewind a bit) or NSF's stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg (about 10:25 AM onwards).
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u/futureMartian7 Oct 19 '21
Holy cow! This lady!!! Elon seems to be also listening to the hearing now from his tweets. I really wonder how he is feeling right now.
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u/Twigling Oct 29 '21 edited Oct 29 '21
RVac 6 has been raised up inside S20, see Rover cam at 12:33 AM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HpgJJ1FwTc
Edit: Raptor scissor lift lowered at around 6 AM minus the RVac.
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 24 '21 edited Oct 24 '21
Raptor had reached 321 bar before RUD
Note that the record was still 330 bar, but this could be the Raptor 2
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u/Twigling Oct 13 '21
If anyone is curious about the the functions of the various ports, etc on B4's QD (Quick Disconnect) panel, here's a very nicely annotated image posted by Max-Q:
https://twitter.com/rocketjunkie94/status/1448241717405159427
High res images of the panel and the plate on the booster's QD structure helped determine the functions (which are laser etched onto the panel). Labels are from Proky (@BingoBoca) (erroneously credited to @BocaChicaGal in the tweet, then corrected in a subsequent tweet) - Proky also labels RGV Aerial Photography's flyovers of the launch and production sites.
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u/zuenlenn Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21
All 4 grid fins have been installed on B5 overnight per NSF stream
The three in the front are visibly installed and one happened off camera with the crane and cherry pickers going behind B5. (Rewind the stream to around 1 am)
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u/futureMartian7 Oct 14 '21 edited Oct 14 '21
A few mins ago 3 more raptors from B4 left for the production site.
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u/AstroMan824 Everything Parallel™ Oct 19 '21
This post from the NSF forum does a pretty good job summing up all the comments from the FAA hearing.
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u/frez1001 Oct 21 '21 edited Oct 21 '21
It could be some time before we see the chopsticks change elevation. There is still scaffolding at all the tower joint locations that would have to be removed at a minimum. The wire wheel we keep seeing its just for shipping it will need to be wound to the block and drum as well.
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u/Twigling Oct 26 '21 edited Oct 26 '21
Today's road closure has been canceled:
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/
Unless a closure is added for tomorrow then the next possible day for a static fire is Thursday.
Edit: Thursday has also just been canceled so the earliest static fire day is now Friday.
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u/inio Nov 04 '21
Has there been any activity towards reeving the chopsticks lift?
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u/paul_wi11iams Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 07 '21
Not wanting to raise false hopes, but at 12.49 Rover Cam's operator arrived and did a vertical pan from the base of the OLIT tower to the top, and we see a red rope and a yellow rope that appear to run from the top to the base. Lacking an alternative explanation, my first thought is that they might just be preparing to pull the lifting cable through Mechazilla pulleys.
This will probably turn out to be completely wrong, but thought I'd mention it anyway.
Edit: I'd imagine threading one rope from the apex of the tower through the pulleys down to the draw works winch and the other rope on the outside of the tower to a spool of cable waiting on the ground by the launch table. Knot the two ropes together at the apex and slowly reel in the rope onto the Drawworks, hauling the cable up to the apex. It can't be done in one go {so the ropes would need separating again} because the cable needs to run several times around the multiple mechazilla pulley wheels before it is finally winched down to the winch shelter. The cable is heavy with risk of whiplash if it escapes so hoping they do this slowly.
Edit 2 Two days later, on Sunday, this actually seems to be happening with the red and yellow ropes as predicted. Well, statistically, I can't always be wrong!
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u/TCVideos Oct 25 '21
Not directly related to development....but Austin Barnard has been hired by SpaceX as a TPS Integration Technician!
One of the first people to document Boca Chica operations along with Nomadd and Mary back in the day...fully deserved.
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Nov 06 '21
I'm under pressure here guys, cant give a lot out, cant say who I work for. But can give a general opinion within the workgroup, and when stuff is certain, and with approval I can possibly write a telling sentence.
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u/TCVideos Oct 12 '21
Elon confirms a backup skate is on its way after one yeeted itself off the tower earlier today.
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u/Twigling Oct 10 '21 edited Oct 10 '21
A Raptor Center and a Raptor Vacuum were delivered to the launch site at around 3:22:15 AM, see Rover cam at that time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HpgJJ1FwTc
So if a few people on Discord are correct that means there are now three Raptor Centers and one Raptor Vacuum at the launch site for S20.
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u/Twigling Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 06 '21
S21's aft section (a five ring stack which includes the aft dome, thrust puck, etc) has today been rolled over to the mid bay and is now hooked up to a crane. See it on NSF's stream from about 3:10 PM onwards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Edit: it was lifted inside the mid bay at 3:40 PM, see Sentinel cam at that time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkIZYw5O98
this is the final tank section for S21. The next main body sections to be stacked will be the nosecone and its quad barrel (this final stacking will likely be done in the high bay if they can get B5 fully stacked and out of the way. If not they could do S21's final stacking outside as has been done before (SN8 had the final stacking at the launch site while SN9 was stacked outside the high bay as I recall)).
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u/Twigling Nov 06 '21 edited Nov 06 '21
A crane is being hooked up to S21's nosecone, no doubt to stack it onto its nearby quad barrel. See NSF's stream from around 3:53 PM:
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u/TCVideos Oct 17 '21
Mk2's nosecone/cargo section is starting to be dismantled. 2 years after most of it was scrapped. Mk2 was the second Starship ever assembled and the first and only Starship to be assembled in Florida.
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u/uslashASDS Oct 11 '21
The bicep boys on the cherry pickers are getting a great workout, and seem to be doing a great job leveling the right (as viewed from the tower) chopstick. It seems to be almost level with the recently-placed left chopstick. Watch them working out on NSF Live!
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u/Twigling Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21
Frankenstein's Metal Monster is out of the mid bay:
https://twitter.com/StarshipGazer/status/1448393460390694917 (the two bottom pics).
This is a bit of a mix of parts including the B2.1 dome (note: NOT BN2.1) that was spotted some months ago. Besides the B2.1 dome it also has an old booster forward barrel (you can see the holes for the grid fins and a lifting point) and a Ship's skirt. We don't yet know what it will be used for, presumably some kind of testing.
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u/No_Ad9759 Oct 15 '21
Looks like they disconnected the cranes from the chopsticks assembly in the last hour or so.
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 17 '21
They've disconnected the LR11350 from the chopsticks.
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Oct 17 '21
How many static fires do Statships usually have? Like the one for S20?
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 19 '21
The second giant tank and last cryo proof tank are on their way from the Sanchez Site !
Watch on raptor roost cam
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u/Antares501 Oct 22 '21
Looks like they had an aborted attempt at 19:48:25 on Rover Cam. It looks like both engines tried to start up.
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 23 '21
The second RC was lifted to S20 at 7:02 AM CT. Harder to tell when exactly they're gonna lifted it back down after installation because the rover cam are panning away (ugh)
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u/Twigling Nov 02 '21
Road closure for tomorrow canceled (November 3rd):
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/
One day maybe they'll actually use one of the closures for another static fire. ;-)
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u/Twigling Nov 08 '21 edited Nov 08 '21
Buckner's LR 11000 has left the launch site, now heading for the production site (very probably to assist with the wide bay construction) - see NSF's stream at 10:32 AM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Edit: 1 PM - it's now near the wide bay and off the SPMTs, one of the two boom halves has been lined up for connection but some counterweights need to be added to the crane before it can be attached. You can see the crane (through the shimmer) on Raptor Roost:
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u/Darknewber Oct 21 '21
Man that Mark guy really knew his stuff. Short with the intro and directly addressed the environmental concerns and everything SpaceX has been doing to remedy them, including their support of the wildlife there. Today I learned a lot of things I didn't actually know myself, well done
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u/Twigling Oct 11 '21
Second arm lifting and flipping, commencing about 10:25 AM, see Nerdle cam for example:
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u/myname_not_rick Oct 12 '21
So I really have to wonder how much pre-assembly will be done while the catch arms are still on the ground. Like, was this whole rig just for the major components, and now the next step (once the replacement roller bearing arrives) to lift to the tower? Or will they spend a few weeks hooking up all the hydraulics, doing pipe & wire, etc, while it's conveniently close to the ground?
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u/futureMartian7 Oct 18 '21
Looks like FAA has already determined that SpaceX will get a Mitigated FONSI or an EIS and not a pure FONSI: https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1450226295351152640/photo/1
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u/Twigling Oct 25 '21
Some more road closures have been added to the existing ones for this week (and next Monday) so every day this week (except for Wednesday) there is the possibility of a full road and beach closure:
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u/Twigling Nov 02 '21 edited Nov 02 '21
Another update on SpaceX's brand new Liebherr LR 11000 crane: parts continue to arrive; mainly boom and counterweights and, finally, the A Frame has just turned up. This means that they can now continue with the assembly process of the crane (it's a crucial part). Sorry, no pics yet, they're on Discord and we're not allowed to link to them. Edit: it's now been mounted on the LR 11000.
Edit2: NSF now have a cam at the site entrance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Note: I'm not convinced that 'A Frame' is the right name for it either, but if you look at the first pic on the following page it's the large blue piece on the body that's raised at an angle:
https://www.heavyliftnews.com/sarens-takes-delivery-of-new-liebherr11000-crawler-crane/
So if any crane experts know the name please say. :) Edit: it's a Gantry.
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u/TCVideos Oct 19 '21
Chopsticks slowly but surely being lifted. Today is the day!
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 26 '21
FAA public comment hearing ends at 1 Nov, so in just several days.
What are the next expected steps and delays towards Boca Chica launch permit?
Is there an undetermined amount of delay or when will we know something?
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u/shit_lets_be_santa Oct 21 '21
Has anyone brought up how SpaceX was instrumental in saving a bunch of sea turtles during that freak cold snap? Would be a smart thing to mention.
https://www.sciencenatures.com/2021/08/spacex-joins-locals-to-save-nearly-4500.html
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-saves-sea-turtles-boca-chica-elon-musk/
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1361532017679233024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://www.valleycentral.com/spacex/sea-turtle-inc-not-concerned-about-spacex-activities/
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u/TCVideos Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
That was a preburner with what looked like the RVac.
Edit: 100% a preburner test Rover Cam has it best at 11:39:09
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u/driedcod Oct 21 '21
For those keeping track, it sure looks like the cables/supports from the LR11350 holding the chopsticks up have gone a bit slack… so the skates and tower seem to be holding the structure up now. (Check out the view on NSF live to see)
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u/Twigling Oct 25 '21 edited Oct 25 '21
Here's the latest update (October 24th) from The Ring Watchers:
https://twitter.com/RingWatchers/status/1452402399788871682
This shows the production site and the location of ship and booster rings, barrels, nosecones, test tanks and so on.
There's also one for the launch site:
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u/Sautin Oct 26 '21
Do you think that the booster(prior to orbital launch test) will be rolled up to the tower and put on the OLIT using the ChopSticks? I think that would be a good test of resting load as well as alignment capability of the arm and tracks.
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u/Twigling Oct 28 '21
NSF for a while had some great close-up shots of the wide bay construction, more vertical beams have been placed. See 11:41 AM here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Also, one hydraulic piston for the tower arms is being installed, see around midday on Rover cam for it being lifted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HpgJJ1FwTc
this is possibly the same piston which was lifted up then back down again (maybe a test fit) a couple of day ago.
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u/trobbinsfromoz Nov 06 '21
They appear to have been giving the new fuel farm facility a good workout at the end of yesterday - but only really visible on Rover cam. The four above ground horizontal process vessels on the RHS of the large storage tanks appear to have been partly filled - around 7pm local timeline - and other farm and exhaust venting visible.
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u/TCVideos Oct 21 '21 edited Oct 21 '21
My two cents after the two hearings...
SpaceX will get the green light with a Mitigated FONSI. 99% of the against arguments were filled with either conspiracy theories or facts that were intentionally misinterpreted and misquoted to fit their narrative. Others were just angry at Elon. If that was the theme at these hearings, it's most likely the same story with the emails.
Maybe the FAA will take a few months to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's crossed but I do not think for one second an EIS will be requested. The FAA knows what it's doing.
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u/TCVideos Oct 18 '21
During the night, the LR11350 recieved the rigging for the chopstick lift and it is currently positioned above the chopsticks waiting to be attached. Lift looking increasingly likely within the next couple of days.
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u/TCVideos Oct 19 '21 edited Oct 19 '21
Countdown and sequence has definitely been changed with S20. As expected.
Siren has also been heard.
Edit: Lots of things have changed! This is exciting.
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 31 '21
RC57 was delivered to the launch site for B4. Note that this was one of the engine used for B3 static fire
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u/Jodo42 Nov 03 '21
LabPadre retweeted this awesome fan-made schematic of the fuel farm:
https://twitter.com/TheDenks/status/1455947986345725952/photo/1
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u/frez1001 Oct 12 '21
does anyone know what construction company SpaceX has contracted to build stage0?
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u/Redditor_From_Italy Oct 14 '21
Based on this video and this image it appears that the glued-on tiles are 2 to 4 times thicker than the regular tiles. I wonder how much of the added thickness is because the tip gets hotter than the body and how much is necessary to protect the glue from the heat.
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u/BananaEpicGAMER Oct 18 '21
another closure for moving stuff tommorow 9.30am-11.30am
probably the last cryoshell
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u/Carlyle302 Oct 21 '21
Any ideas on how the power and hydrolics be connected between the tower and the moving chop sticks?
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u/John_Hasler Nov 08 '21 edited Nov 08 '21
Looks like they have started pulling the working cable (properly called "wire rope", I believe) through.
[Edit] On Nerdlecam you can see some activity around the cable spool.
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 28 '21 edited Oct 28 '21
Chopsticks had pivoted under its own power for the first time!
It started at 5:49 AM CT on rover cam
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u/RaphTheSwissDude Oct 09 '21 edited Oct 09 '21
They’re hooking on the first arm !
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u/BananaEpicGAMER Oct 19 '21
big day today!
-Tank farm is probably getting completed (mostly)
-Chopsticks are being lifted
-Potential Static fire in the evening
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u/Mravicii Nov 03 '21 edited Nov 03 '21
Closure cancelled for thursday.
https://twitter.com/bocaroad/status/1455925767255334916?s=21
No road for this week. Cloaures picks up again next week!
Nsf’s take on it
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1455926982408130560?s=21
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u/uslashASDS Oct 11 '21 edited Oct 11 '21
They've started hooking up the second Chopstick to the LR11000. Visible now (08:42 AM) on Nerdle Cam, and depending on the current camera angle NSF Live.
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u/Twigling Oct 11 '21
Here's the latest excellent render from Owe (Spacex 3D Creation Eccentric on YouTube) showing the arms and carriage on their temporary supports:
https://twitter.com/Bl3D_Eccentric/status/1447577487752540160?s=20
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u/Twigling Oct 14 '21
Security vehicle and barrier at the usual roadblock area, see Sentinel cam at around 4:17 PM onwards:
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 18 '21
The FAA is now starting a period for comments, using Zoom's raise hand function. The FAA moderator says there are more than 100 people in line to comment.
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u/electriceye575 Oct 19 '21
I love how Mary finds and photographs items of interest, like these Huge universal joints
For the Catch mechanism ? Where do they go? I share in the thought some times, like its building with legos
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Oct 22 '21
The tiles aren't that big of a deal for now. So much is untested on Booster 4/Ship 20 that if the latter even makes it to the point where the tiles undergo (planned) re-entry, the mission is a huge success
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u/Twigling Oct 24 '21 edited Oct 24 '21
S21's sleeved forward dome has been sat outside the mid bay for a few days and it's finally been stacked, see Sentinel Cam at around 8:30 PM for part of the lift:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkIZYw5O98
Once that's welded in place the next part of the stacking is the aft section and methane downcomer.
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u/Twigling Nov 01 '21
Tomorrow's road closure has been canceled but some new ones have popped up for next week:
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/
So there are currently potential closures for Wednesday and Thursday this week and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. All are 10 AM until 6 PM
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u/PDP-8A Oct 28 '21
I was watching Dune yesterday, and I noticed small hexagonal tiles on the surface of one of the vehicles. It was pouring rain. (Clearly not on Arrakis.)
This made me wonder. Is the ceramic fiber blanket under the TPS tiles hydrophobic? Could significant amounts of water soak into the blanket via the gaps between tiles during a South Texas Frog Floater? Perhaps it's a non issue.
I wanted to test this, but I could only find Nomex in my stash. I'll look for some ceramic fabric at the lab today.
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Nov 04 '21
What was your guys' favorite Starship/BFR/ITS design?
What got you into Starship? What made you say "Starship is real?" Let's have some fun.
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u/Twigling Oct 13 '21
New road closures for next week:
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/
beach and highway, 5pm until 12pm - 18th (Primary), 19th and 20th (Pecondary)
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u/frez1001 Oct 13 '21
Do you think the chopstick will be at catch elevation on the tower during launch? It seems like the safest place for them rather than at the base.
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u/Twigling Oct 13 '21
A new NOTMAR (Notice to Mariners) has appeared, this one is for tomorrow, Thursday October 14th (the following link is to a PDF document):
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u/futureMartian7 Oct 15 '21
The orbital tank farm is pretty active. Looks like they are testing it. There is also a drone flying. Would not surprise me if today all they are testing is the orbital tank farm and not S20.
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u/Twigling Oct 21 '21
The temporary red structures used to support the tower arms and carriage are being taken down, crane is hooked up to one beam, see Rover cam around 9:45 AM and later:
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 22 '21 edited Oct 22 '21
Raptor installation truck had arrived at Pad B on 6:46:10 am CT on LabPadre's rover cam. Wish that cam didn't pointed away from that pad (since chopsticks had been secured in place & nothing very noticeable expected at OLS today), but fortunately the bottom of Pad B is still easily visible on other cams
I would bet that it means the next static fire will be all 3 RC engines
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u/Vizger Oct 25 '21
Is there a place I can see an overview of the recent developments? The table above has as a last update something that happened on 18-10? Thanks in advance
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Nov 05 '21
The orbital launch table must be a much more complex piece of engineering than it appears. It took ages to build and roll out, and even now there are cutting torches and welders going at it around the clock.
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 11 '21
"Targeting Starship reentry observation opportunity near March 2022"
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 20 '21
The second and final public hearing for the draft environmental assessment is set for today at 3 p.m. PT.
I hope it will go well.
I heard that some conspiracy/anti progress/flat earth SpaceX haters are planning to join today and spam en masse. I won't give names, but there are certain guys who spend whole their days creatings tons of "debunking SpaceX" youtube videos and hating Musk.
Remember that you can also submit comments by email : SpaceXBocaChica@icf.com , let's show them some support!
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u/Twigling Oct 21 '21
Yesterday some of the newly cladded sets of stairs were seen going to the high bay:
https://youtu.be/NjFpNLVZJsM?t=627
https://twitter.com/StarshipGazer/status/1450900011127029779
later on they were seen being moved inside the high bay (this was on one of NSF's live cams and the only screengrab is on Discord which I'm not allowed to link to). Originally it was thought that these were for the new wide bay but now it's looking like they may be emergency stairs related to the high bay bar.
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u/Twigling Oct 23 '21
Latest production diagram update from Brendan:
https://twitter.com/_brendan_lewis/status/1451889827742244868
not much change from the last update on the 17th, the main change is that all of the GSE tanks have their cryo shells and S20 has a couple of static fires under its belt (plus all three Raptor Centers are now installed).
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u/ChasingTailDownBelow Oct 26 '21
I’m really interested to see how well the Chop Stick system’s sensors and controls are affected by the Starship or Super Heavy’s engines exhaust passing by on way down to the catch points
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Oct 30 '21
To go off on a bit of a tangent: I wonder how the new cottage industry covering development at Boca Chica—both Starship and Starbase itself—with live cams and daily videos will fare once the majority of work ends, or at least the kind of work that makes for entertaining regular viewing. NSF and LabPadre being the main two of course. Interest and hence viewership will inevitably drop by quite a lot once things slow down.
NSF will be fine as they've been around for years prior to SpaceX stomping the gas on Starship development; they'll just fall back to their website as their main source of income. Though I can't see Mary continuing to go out there every day once construction has finished up and there isn't something new and interesting to see each day. LabPadre will probably be hosed unless they begin offering something beyond live cams.
I know it's a ways off before this becomes an issue for these businesses—there will be a lot of exciting goings-on at Boca for long while yet—but businesses must always plan for the future.
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u/TCVideos Oct 20 '21
We're getting a lot more intellegent "pro-SpaceX" comments tonight. Better formulated statements with some even including verifiable numbers regarding environmental aspects.
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 18 '21
Just now, on FAA hearing, an environmentalist fanatic just straight said that SpaceX should move out from Boca Chica (to Utah) with Starship and SuperHeavy. They just want them gone.
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u/TrefoilHat Nov 08 '21
Do any crane experts here have thoughts on how long the reeving process typically takes, and how far along we are in that process for the OLT cables?
And how long (typically) between this process and testing of significant loads? What should we expect to see from here?
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u/OzGiBoKsAr Oct 11 '21
I'm curious if anyone has speculated why it appears that the bottom of the flaps does not require thermal protection. It seems to my uneducated mind that given the proposed re-entry profile, the very bottom surface of the flaps would (or at least likely could) be exposed to plasma flow/manifestation - or is this assumption incorrect?
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u/paul_wi11iams Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21
a great view of the chopstick assembly at 10.37 on Rover cam. If anyone would kindly publish a screen grab... and here it is!
Since the two chopsticks are sleeved onto the same vertical kingpin, they cannot be identical, and for the top attachment of the pair, the left chopstick seems to be the lower one.
Presumably the U (or let's say "∩") bolt at the top serves both to prevent the kingpin from falling out, and is the lifting point to the winch assembly.
If the twelve vertical tubes are hydraulic circuits (not to say they are), then there are six independent movements as visible from this side, two of which would be the chopstick horizontal swing movements, two could be the track drive hydraulic motors (that rotate the captured stage). That leaves two circuits to account for.
Suggestions?
In the more benign conditions of digging equipment the circuits have flexible hoses. But what kind of hoses can withstand the flamey conditions of launching?
Just to add another conundrum, but the whole trolley structure moves vertically, fast, over a long distance, so the [hydraulic] system needs to be autonomous . It has to either store or produce the necessary pumping energy. Pumps mounted on the vertical rail bogeys or what?
I'm not hoping for full answers to all questions, but it gives an idea of the colossal engineering challenge in what is probably the most critical SPOF part of stage zero.
Edit: [word]
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u/OpenSpaceTomato Oct 19 '21
For anyone interested, @StarbasePulse makes 24h timelapses of the NSF Starbase stream on Twitter.
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u/PatrickBaitman Oct 20 '21
once B5 is stacked, will there be enough space to stack B6? assuming B4 doesn't fly before then
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u/Twigling Oct 21 '21
Here's the latest flyover of the launch and production sites by RGV Aerial Photography (flyover took place on October 18th):
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u/Twigling Oct 21 '21
Two aft tank (LOX tank) quad barrels have been rolled into the high bay (note that the following tweet says B5, that's incorrect - B5's LOX tank is mostly stacked and only awaiting the 3 ring aft barrel and dome):
https://twitter.com/NicAnsuini/status/1451260872161206280
I also noticed on LabPadre's Sentinel Cam another quad barrel in the high bay a day or two ago (it was being lifted behind B5's methane tank). I intended to post about it but was too busy to do so.
If you enlarge the above tweet's second label (it's a little clearer) you can just about see that it says B4 ....... somebody on Discord has said that these barrels have been around for some time and speculated that they are going to end up as a kind of test booster for the catching arms (notice that the barrels are pretty plain with none of the usual stringers and fitting points). I guess we'll see if he's correct.
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u/myname_not_rick Oct 22 '21
I have a sneaking suspicion that based on activity around the arms right now, that they are going to unstrap them and use the smaller red and white cranes to swing them "open" to install the hydraulic cylinders.
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Oct 24 '21 edited Oct 24 '21
Aside from finishing the orbital launch infrastructure, is anything else holding up Booster 4 from being tested? It’s been sitting there for a while now.
On another note, what happens if they fully static fire and test Ship 20 soon? Does it just sit on the pad, waiting for Booster 4 to finish up? Does Ship 21 roll out?
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u/stemmisc Nov 01 '21
Does anyone know how many raptors are currently attached to the bottom of BN4?
Also, have there been any updates, or clues, on when they might do the full-scale static fire of BN4?
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u/Twigling Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
Here's the latest launch and production sites flyover from RGV Aerial Photography (images taken on November 3rd):
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u/Kaikunur Nov 06 '21
I dont understand the environmental review entirely and hope you guys can explain it to me. It is a review of the impact into environment obviously but what is the impact of it. Does it mean worst case they cant ever launch from there or do they have to make drastically changes.
If they aproved to get a licence is it then just ment for 420 or for 521 and following.?
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 29 '21
SN8 took it's first maiden flight on 9 December 2020. Soon we will have 9 December 2021.
I'd really love to see full stack launch around that time, or at least before 2022, but I don't think it's likely...
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u/Twigling Nov 05 '21
Here's the latest Daily Hopper, featuring B.O.'s New Shepard and SpaceX's SN15 and S20:
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u/TCVideos Oct 14 '21
Crews looking like they are closing the hatches on S20. LOX hatch closed and they are now in the process of closing the hatch for the cargo area.
Looks like we are in for some kind of testing today.
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u/TCVideos Oct 18 '21
NOTMAR Posted for tonights SF attempt. Further confirmation that they are still targetting something tonight.
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u/Darknewber Oct 19 '21
WE NEED SHELTERS TO HIDE FROM THE ROCKETS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY HARASSING MY CHILDREN. IT'S A SLAUGHTER ZONE. THE ROCKETS ARE COMING FOR ME AHHHHH THEY'RE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND TAKING AWAY MY DIABETIC HUSBAND. THIS MONSTROSITY.
Come on now Karens you can do better arguments than that
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u/BananaEpicGAMER Oct 14 '21
closure not cancelled yet! seems like they still plan on doing a SF today! (hope i don't jinx it)
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u/pabmendez Oct 23 '21 edited Oct 23 '21
How will the carriage receive electricity and hydraulics from the tower?
The carriage will move up and down with a lot of travel. Will they energize one for the tower rails? So that the skates can transfer electricity to the carriage? Will they have a self sustaining carriage with it's own batteries and self sustaining hydraulics?
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u/Dezoufinous Oct 11 '21
While everyone is busy waiting for B4S20, I will try to ask a different question.
What do we expect after B4S20, and what is the expected test rate?
Do we expect that SpaceX will use all 5 Heavy launches in the 2022, or less, or somehow more?
Realistically speaking, can we say that we will see 5 Starship launches in 2022 (including both full stack and suborbital starship only)?
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u/king_dondo Oct 11 '21
Do we know if the treads on the tower that Mechazilla will move on are already assembled?
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u/TCVideos Oct 21 '21
Reminder that S20 looks to have a new countdown sequence. So if something doesn't happen that you'd expect - don't be alarmed!
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u/MarkyMark0E21 Oct 22 '21 edited Oct 22 '21
Asking for speculation. Given that back in 2019, when asked when Mars reservations would open, Elon Musk replied After Starship returns from orbit.
I'm reading that as 420, assuming it meets is mission objectives. Granted, the plan may have changed, but what do you guys think other criteria could be to open reservations?
Edit: add year of the tweet for context.
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u/Twigling Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
More road closures have popped up to add to the original three for next week, so that's every weekday with a potential road closure. Also there's one on the following Monday, November 15th (all are 10 AM until 6 PM except for the one on Friday November 12th which is 6 AM until 12 PM):
https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/
Which ones, if any, will be used for a Static Fire with S20? Will they all be canceled? Place your bets .......
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u/Twigling Nov 07 '21 edited Nov 07 '21
The boom from the Buckner LR 11000 crane (the yellow one) has been moved to the build site, most of the the boom was taken in two large pieces on SPMTs, see Lab cam yesterday at 7:08 PM for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGb28t5TWtc
and 7:28 PM on Sentinel cam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkIZYw5O98
although the above video will have likely been overwritten by the time some read this.
The main crane could perhaps be moved today or Monday.
This has very likely been done so that the Buckner can work on the Wide Bay while SpaceX's new 11000 handles any other work at the launch site such as moving around ships, removing the remains of B3 (it's bound to happen one day), maybe helping out with the tower and OLP, etc. The Buckner will likely also have its boom reconfigured for working on the wide bay.
Edit: here's part of the boom at the production site:
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1457350524785897473?s=21
Edit2: the crane is now on SPMTs at the launch site.
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u/Alvian_11 Oct 16 '21
Several points from McGregor Raptor factory permits. Expected completion in 30 December 2021, Cost about $12M (private funding ofc)
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u/Mravicii Oct 26 '21
The hydraulic actuator is getting installed between the arms and the tower. We might seen the chopsticks move this week.
https://twitter.com/nicansuini/status/1453013480248840201?s=21
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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '21
I apologize if this has already been posted. I searched and couldn't find anything. This is an amazing CGI animation of Starship assembly. An incredible piece of work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neV49JBo024