SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[DocM]

Yes, they're using drones and two Boston Robotics Spot robo-dogs to do remote observation. The Spots even have dog houses.

 

 

[+rdlenk Subscriber²]

14 hours ago, DocM said:

Yes, they're using drones and two Boston Robotics Spot robo-dogs to do remote observation. The Spots even have dog houses.

 

 

The Wi-Fi network they are on is called "TheLeash"

[DocM]

During tonight's static fire they lost vehicle pneumatics, and this  appears to have impacted nose LOX header tank venting.  A burst disk saved the day and the vehicle.

 

Video & Elon's tweets below...

 

 

 

[Skiver Veteran]

Some good news for SN8, if I understand this right this is more about the pad then the engine itself. Sounds like they may have to dig it up a bit to do some work but that's a much better scenario in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

[IsItPluggedIn]

Fixing the pad to prevent this is good, however they wont have a nice pad on the moon or mars.

 

Sounds like they may need to do some more shielding on the engine bays.

[DocM]

3 hours ago, IsItPluggedIn said:

Fixing the pad to prevent this is good, however they wont have a nice pad on the moon or mars.

 

Sounds like they may need to do some more shielding on the engine bays.

 

Under the pad they laid a significant amount of Martyte, a refractory thermal protection used to line flame trenches, etc. Tough stuff, but Raptor is a world-class agent of disruption and blew off some large chunks causing the damage.  

 

AIUI they'll be adding a deflector similar to those used at many of McGregor's test stands - steel pipes with water running through them.

 

[Skiver Veteran]

14 hours ago, DocM said:

 

Under the pad they laid a significant amount of Martyte, a refractory thermal protection used to line flame trenches, etc. Tough stuff, but Raptor is a world-class agent of disruption and blew off some large chunks causing the damage.  

 

AIUI they'll be adding a deflector similar to those used at many of McGregor's test stands - steel pipes with water running through them.

 

I think the point above was more about how the surface of the moon or Mars won't be reinforced in anyway like this so it needs to be protected for that.

 

I would assume they have or are thinking that far ahead but for now it's focusing on variables they can control before they move on to the potential unknowns of other locations.

 

I have wondered why they didn't just bite the bullet and go with a traditional flame trench, I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but I don't think this is the first time they've destroyed a pad and it probably won't be the last.

[DocM]

Starship SN-08 ground test schedule

 

Date: November 23

Window: 1000 - 2200

 

Backup date 1: November 24

Window: 0900 - 1800 Eastern

 

Backup date 2: November 25

Window: 0900 - 1800 Eastern

 

Starship SN-08 15km test flight schedule

 

Date: November 30

Window:  0800 - 1900 Eastern

 

Backup date 1:  December 1

Window: 0900-1800 Eastern

 

Backup date 2: December 2

Window: 0900-1800 Eastern

[DocM]

FAA is evaluating a new EA for Boca Chica..

 

https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=96139

Quote

 

SpaceX has informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it plans to apply for licenses for suborbital and orbital launches of its Starship spacecraft powered by the Super Heavy rocket at its launch site in Boca Chica, Texas.

 

The proposed update to Starship/Super Heavy operations falls outside of the scope of the existing final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision for the launch site and requires additional environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

 

The FAA is in the beginning stages of conducting the environmental review of the SpaceX proposal and developing a public outreach plan. The FAA intends to provide scoping information for the project soon.

 

SpaceX is working with the FAA to prepare a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be subject to the FAA’s evaluation and approval.

The EA will allow the FAA to determine the appropriate course of action: preparation of an EIS because the proposed action’s environmental impacts would be significant; issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); or issuance of a “Mitigated FONSI” providing for mitigation measures to address the proposed action’s environmental impacts. The FAA may make its determination during the EA process or after SpaceX presents a draft EA for FAA approval. 

 

To receive the licenses, SpaceX must complete a safety review and develop agreements for the license application in addition to the environmental review. 

Information about the FAA environmental review process as it relates to commercial space transportation is posted at faa.gov/space/environmental

 

[DocM]

 

Differences between SN-08 and SN-09, SN-10...?

 

 

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by DocM

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Launch pad In-Situ Rresourcd Utilization for producing Starship propellants is coming,

 

 

 

[DocM]

WRT SN-08 15km success;  ~33%, but Musk's been known to sandbag. We'll see.

 

 

 

[DocM]

Starship SN-09 has stacked her nose cone & fins, and SN-10's propulsion module gets its fins next week.

 

 

 

[DocM]

SN-08 launch dates

 

Primary date: Thursday December 3, 2020

Window:  0900 - 1800 Eastern

 

Secondary date:  Friday December 4, 2020

Window:  0900 - 1800 Eastern

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Starship SN-08 flight test webcast

 

Date: Tuesday, December 8

Backup date: Wednesday, December 9

Time: 0700 Eastern

 

 

As early as Tuesday, December 8, the SpaceX team will make the first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing.
 
This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives, from how the vehicle’s three Raptor engines perform, and the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle, including its body flaps, to how the vehicle manages propellant transition. SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size.
 
With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn as a whole, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship.
 
This will be a live feed of the flight test and will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high altitude flight test of Starship!

This past year alone, SpaceX has completed two low-altitude flight tests with Starship SN5 and SN6 and accumulated over 16,000 seconds of run time during 330 ground engine starts, including multiple Starship static fires and four flight tests of the reusable methalox full-flow staged combustion Raptor engine. Additionally, with production accelerating and fidelity increasing, SpaceX has built 10 Starship prototypes. SN9 is almost ready to move to the pad, which now has two active stands for rapid development testing.

SN8’s flight test is an exciting next step in the development of a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received.

There will be a live feed of the flight test available here that will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Given the uncertainty of the schedule, stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high-altitude flight test of Starship!

[DocM]

Today at 1100 Eastern is the window opening. 

 

Vehicles are leaving the pad.

[DocM]

Pad cleared, tank farm venting. Moved right in the window.

 

[DocM]

Reuters reports they're doing 12.5 km to avoid strong high altitude winds.

The test will likely happen in the later part of the window.

[DocM]

NASA has filed a flight plan for its WB-57 recon aircraft to observe the test.  Based at Houston's Ellington field, it should arrive over the site between 1500 and 1600 Eastern.

[DocM]

The NASA WB-57 is in the air, heading for Boca Chica to film the test.  

 

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA927/history/20201208/2000Z/KEFD/KEFD

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Bummer - engine abort at T-1.3s. 

[DocM]

SpaceX statement,
 

Quote

Due to a Raptor engine auto-abort at T-1 second, the SpaceX team is standing down from Tuesday's attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. We have additional test opportunities available on Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing. Stay tuned for more information on the next target test date and time.

 

Upcoming Boca Chica road closures

Dec. 9: 0900 - 1800 Eastern

Dec. 10: 0800 - 1830 Eastern

Dec. 11: 0800- 1830 Eastetn