SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[DocM]

Starship flight articles on the way.

 

Bear in mind that SpaceX has one launch pad ready in Boca Chica and another under construction at KSC, now preparing to stack its launch/catcher tower. 

 

 

 

[DocM]

maybe it's just me but Ship 24's nose fins look smaller. 

 

[DocM]

LC-39a Starship tower segments may move to the pad tonight.

 

 

 

[DocM]

These new domes really look smooth

 

 

[DocM]

March of the Behemoths to KSC's LC-39a.

 

 

[DocM]

Here we go, working up to a Super Heavy static fire...

 

 

 

[DocM]

 

 

[DocM]

Super Heavy Booster 7 getting lifted into the orbital launch mount. In the full image, check out the aerodynamic chines. When doing a re-entery belly-flop  these provide lift to bring the heavy engine bay up.

 

 

[DocM]

Lifting booster 7 on to the orbital launch mount

 

 

 

 

[DocM]

Super Heavy booster 7 rollout. Looks like they built a transporter for it, 

 

 

[DocM]

They're building the LC-39A Ttower at a helluva pace

 

 

[DocM]

Florida Starship and KSC update

 

 

[DocM]

Starship 24 roll out

 

 

[DocM]

The Super Heavy booster's business end

 

 

 

Starship 

 

[DocM]

Starship S24 heading to Pad B for her pre-flight static fire campaign

 

 

 

[DocM]

"Mechazilla"

 

"Chopsticks" refers to the vehicle catcher arms. 

 

The third arm (on the left) is the QD arm (quick disconnect), which is used for fueling and unfueling, umbilical connections etc. 

 

The FCC frequency application sounds like SpaceX will try to catch Booster 7  after the test launch.  If it's not properly aligned or the engines don't light for catching, it'll passively fall into the drink in the Gulf of Mexico. This use of a divert maneuver is also done when landing Falcon 9, so it's something they have experience with.

 

 

Edited July 9, 2022 by DocM

[SALSN]

looks like we might have to wait a little longer!?

Looks to me like the booster is still good, but probably not all the engines. What do you guys think, this was not a successful static fire,  right?

 

 

[DocM]

Late last night Musk said he'd been in the B7 engine bay and it looked pretty good.  They're going to take it back to the High Bay for  checkouts.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 12/07/2022 at 02:00, SALSN said:

looks like we might have to wait a little longer!?

Looks to me like the booster is still good, but probably not all the engines. What do you guys think, this was not a successful static fire,  right?

 

 

That's what I imagine 30+ raptor engines lighting at once would sound like.

[SALSN]

On 13/07/2022 at 18:37, warwagon said:

That's what I imagine 30+ raptor engines lighting at once would sound like.

Well I suppose, however it seems like it was not supposed to happen like this this time since there was no road closure as far as I understand.

Scott Manley has a video with some interesting speculation:

 

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 13/07/2022 at 13:46, SALSN said:

Well I suppose, however it seems like it was not supposed to happen like this this time since there was no road closure as far as I understand.

Scott Manley has a video with some interesting speculation:

 

Ya, I know, that was kind of a joke.

[DocM]

If this were being run by NASA or Boeing there'd be six months of committee meetings about the shape of the discussion table.

 

 

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Starship Starlink Gen 2 "Pez dispenser"

 

 

 

[DocM]

Testing Raptor 2 upgrade: elelectric TVC (thrust vector control)