SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[TrevorLahey]

 

[DocM]

Starship update webcast

 

2100 Eastern tonight

 

 

 

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Project Polaris

 

Jared Isaacman of Inspiration4 has jumped on the Starship train

 

 

 

 

[DocM]

OMFG!! 🙄😀

 

NASA Administrator Bill "Ballast" Nelson stepping in it again.

 

 

[DocM]

An FCC license for the Starship orbital flight test, allocating telemetry frequencies etc., has been granted for March 1 through September 1 2022.

 

https://twitter.com/FccSpace/status/1494054096319492096?t=CZDxYU1rmrbsm6wo01OyFw

 

[DocM]

Because of recent events, e vextra hardening against cyberattack.

 

 

Also, the US Space Force plans on monitoring  and protecting not just within geostationary orbit (22,000 km) but all the way to cisilunar space (the Moon), Starship is one of the few vehicles that will operate out there.

 

Working name: Cislunar Highway Patrol System  (CHPS)

Edited March 5, 2022 by DocM

[DocM]

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/21/elon-musk-spacex-will-hopefully-launch-starship-orbital-flight-in-may.html

 

Quote

 

Elon Musk says SpaceX will hopefully launch first Starship orbital flight in May

 

KEY POINTS

 

• Elon Musk on Monday gave an update on the timeline for SpaceX’s first orbital launch of the company’s next-generation Starship rocket.

 

• “We’ll have 39 flightworthy engines built by next month, then another month to integrate, so hopefully May for orbital flight test,” Musk tweeted in response to CNBC.

 

• SpaceX needs a license from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the flight, with the regulator expected to complete a key environmental assessment by March 28.

>

 

 

[anthdci]

SN20 won’t fly

 

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1505987581464367104?s=21

[TrevorLahey]

On 22/03/2022 at 03:18, anthdci said:

SN20 won’t fly

 

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1505987581464367104?s=21

What a tease it's been.

[DocM]

Zowie!!

 

33 engine Super Heavy booster 

 

On the Starbase orbital launch pad, prepping for proof tests, cryotests, static fires, etc.  

 

 

[IsItPluggedIn]

On 05/04/2022 at 06:26, DocM said:

Zowie!!

 

33 engine Super Heavy booster 

 

On the Starbase orbital launch pad, prepping for proof tests, cryotests, static fires, etc.  

 

Im pretty sure this is just a render. That crane isnt there anymore. 

 

The crane at the pad is the new black one.

 

The crane

[DocM]

On 04/04/2022 at 19:12, IsItPluggedIn said:

Im pretty sure this is just a render. That crane isnt there anymore. 

 

The crane at the pad is the new black one.

 

The crane

SpaceX isn't wasting time; Booster 7 cryotested. Probably structural testing, then a static fire campaign.

 

 

[DocM]

Drone footage of the SpaceX Operations Area at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Roberts Road (halfway between the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and Visitor Center).

 

This shows the ongoing construction of infrastructure and multiple tower segments for the soon-to-rise LC-39A Starship pad. This will be used for early KSC Starship missions and the NASA Artemis Program's Starship HLS crewed moon landings. 

 

Other KSC Starship facilities will be under construction elsewhere around KSC. This includes a second Starship pad facility currently under environmental review; LC 49, north of LC-39 A and LC-39B.

 

Also some footage of Blue Origin's LC-36 New Glenn pad and construction facilities.

 

[DocM]

This video has a clear shot of Raptor 2 serial number 42

 

https://youtu.be/GCqQLthjDxU

 

[DocM]

More updates on the KSC Starship factory on Roberts Road. 

 

The Starship tower is going to make LC-39A's tower look shrimpy. It also appears they're going to make more than one 😎

 

https://youtu.be/K2DDAPdoQyE

 

 

Edited April 20, 2022 by DocM

[DocM]

This is ridiculous

 

FAA puts off the Starbase EA decision again, this time until May 31

 

 

 

[TrevorLahey]

On 29/04/2022 at 18:25, DocM said:

This is ridiculous

 

FAA puts off the Starbase EA decision again, this time until May 31

 

 

 

The administration has it out for Musk.

[DocM]

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell seems to think FAA will approve the Boca Chica environmental assessment.

 

 

 

[DocM]

 

 

 

[DocM]

Starship 24: impressive depressurization

 

 

[DocM]

Sounds like they're getting ready for a Ship 24 static fire campaign

 

 

[DocM]

FAA STARSHIP BOCA CHICA,

 

A FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IS NOT REQUIRED

 

MITIGATED FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

 

LAUNCH LICENSE PENDING

[DocM]

Separately,

 

NASA and SpaceX are discussing converting LC-40 so it can do Crew/Cargo Dragon launches, just in case of a Starship oopsie at LC-39a. An alternative may be hardening LC-39a

 

Buildinga new launch tower for LC-40 shouldn't be too difficult since they built a launch tower assembly line (!!) at the KSC SpaceX Operations Area on  Roberts Road.

[DocM]

Executive summary of the Boca Chica PEA

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-06/Final_PEA_Executive_Summary.pdf

 

The Raptor engine no longer needs purified methane,

 

Quote

The natural gas pretreatment system and liquefier are no longer needed due to advances in the design and capabilities of SpaceX’s Raptor engines. Previously, additional refinement of methane to purer levels than commercially available was anticipated to be needed. However, as a result of engine advances, SpaceX can rely on commercially available methane without refinement. Accordingly, SpaceX is no longer proposing a natural gas pretreatment system and liquefier.