SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[DocM]

Not the Starship launch license, an FAA operations plan document

https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt.jsp

 

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Starship OFT

No FAA launch license yet, but FAA working docs show, 

Date: NET April 17 

Backups: April 18 - 21

Window (all dates): 0800 - 1105 Eastern

And...Starship will grow ~10m longer and have 6 RVac engines instead of 3, 9 engines total. A beast.

 

 

[DocM]

"Starship is ready for launch"

 

 

 

[DocM]

Starship test flight

New FAA working docs

Dates: April 17 - April 22

Window: 0800 - 1105 Eastern (1200 - 1505 UT)

[DocM]

No wet dress rehearsal, straight to launch flow after they get the license.

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Quote

A live webcast of the flight test will begin ~45 minutes before liftoff. As is the case with all developmental testing, this schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for updates.

As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received from those who share our vision of a future where humanity is out exploring among the stars!

Flight maneuvers

[DocM]

Remember this is a test launch, and most first launches do not end well.

If it goes boomski at some point and the pad survives, Booster 9 and another Ship are waiting in the wings. This could be like the Falcon 9 landing tests all over again, but bigger bada booms.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 11/04/2023 at 19:33, DocM said:

Remember this is a test launch, and most first launches do not end well.

If it goes boomski at some point and the pad survives, Booster 9 and another Ship are waiting in the wings. This could be like the Falcon 9 landing tests all over again, but bigger bada booms.

I remember how the starship ALMOST stuck the landing on it's first attempt.

[Astra.Xtreme]

I think the launch will do pretty well.  I'd be surprised if we set a RUD, but maybe we'll see a few scrubs at ~T-0.
They've slowed down their pace pretty dramatically and are probably being super cautious since they have NASA contracts on the line.  The last thing they want to do is rebuild the ship, pad, and have to write a bunch of failure analysis paperwork.

[anthdci]

On 12/04/2023 at 16:57, Astra.Xtreme said:

I think the launch will do pretty well.  I'd be surprised if we set a RUD, but maybe we'll see a few scrubs at ~T-0.
They've slowed down their pace pretty dramatically and are probably being super cautious since they have NASA contracts on the line.  The last thing they want to do is rebuild the ship, pad, and have to write a bunch of failure analysis paperwork.

same, I think it'll get to orbit and I think the booster will do the return pretty well. They have a lot of experience of doing that with boosters. I think the ship will breakup on re-entry, probably due to a tile, they have a lot less experience getting something so big to slow down enough.

[TrevorLahey]

How long will it be from launch until the ship comes down?  Will they orbit multiple times or just going to bring it down before it makes a full orbit around the earth?

[Astra.Xtreme]

On 12/04/2023 at 14:11, anthdci said:

same, I think it'll get to orbit and I think the booster will do the return pretty well. They have a lot of experience of doing that with boosters. I think the ship will breakup on re-entry, probably due to a tile, they have a lot less experience getting something so big to slow down enough.

That's a good point.  Seems like every static fire resulted in a waterfall of tiles falling off, so I have to imagine some will shake loose from the launch.  I'm curious how many they can lose before it compromises the whole ship.

Let's hope we get some awesome live camera feeds of both stages.  Even if either stage burns up, let's hope we get to watch that fiery ride the whole way!

[DocM]

On 12/04/2023 at 11:57, Astra.Xtreme said:

I think the launch will do pretty well.  I'd be surprised if we set a RUD, but maybe we'll see a few scrubs at ~T-0.
They've slowed down their pace pretty dramatically and are probably being super cautious since they have NASA contracts on the line.  The last thing they want to do is rebuild the ship, pad, and have to write a bunch of failure analysis paperwork.

Rebuilding boosters & ships isn't a problem, they have several under construction. Keeping the pad intact this is the important part. How it survives will inform the final assembly of KSC's LC-39A Starship launch table. That tower is already stacked.

Booster 9/Ship 25 are almost ready to go as soon as Booster 7/Ship 24 are off the pad. Booster 8 was scrapped, and Booster 9 is a major upgrade. 

On 12/04/2023 at 15:15, bguy_1986 said:

How long will it be from launch until the ship comes down?  Will they orbit multiple times or just going to bring it down before it makes a full orbit around the earth?

 

Assuming all goes well and it doesn't splash into the Gulf of Mexico, it'll reach orbitable velocity but only do a partial orbit,  then it will splash down just northwest of Kauai, Hawaii in the US Pacific Missile Range.

The US military will keep people out, and NASA will be sending up two  of their WB-57 Canberra recon aircraft. These are equipped with telescopic infrared cams to observe launch,  reentry, etc.

[DocM]

On 12/04/2023 at 15:33, Astra.Xtreme said:

That's a good point.  Seems like every static fire resulted in a waterfall of tiles falling off, so I have to imagine some will shake loose from the launch.  I'm curious how many they can lose before it compromises the whole ship.

>

 

Being tied down to a test stand creates more intense vibration loads than if the vehicle were actually launched, some reflected upward from the ground, so it's more likely for tiles to fall off than in actual flight. Also, during a real launch the Ship will be 70-80m higher above the ground.

[Astra.Xtreme]

On 12/04/2023 at 14:36, DocM said:

 

Being tied down to a test stand creates more intense vibration loads than if the vehicle were actually launched, some reflected upward from the ground, so it's more likely for tiles to fall off than in actual flight. Also, during a real launch the Ship will be 70-80m higher above the ground.

Definitely agreed, but I think there's still some concern for how the tiles will withstand an actual launch.  Tiles were still falling off during the small scale static fires, so a launch with 100% throttle (or whatever they throttle up to) on all engines should still be pretty violent.  We'll learn some things if it makes it all the way to splashdown.

Side note, is there a "simulated" Starlink payload in the Starship for this launch?   Maybe that's outside of the scope, but an empty ship certainly isn't ideal data.

Edited April 12, 2023 by Astra.Xtreme

[DocM]

On 12/04/2023 at 15:51, Astra.Xtreme said:

Definitely agreed, but I think there's still some concern for how the tiles will withstand an actual launch.  Tiles were still falling off during the small scale static fires, so a launch with 100% throttle on all engines should still be pretty violent.  We'll learn some things if it makes it all the way to splashdown.

That's why they do test flights. Where the tiles fall off will inform if/where they need High Temp RTV adhesive in addition to the clips.

[anthdci]

On 12/04/2023 at 20:57, DocM said:

That's why they do test flights. Where the tiles fall off will inform if/where they need High Yemp RTV adhesive in addition to the clips.

I wonder if/where they will be mounting cameras that look back at the ship so they can see what state the tiles are in before re-entry. 

[DocM]

On 12/04/2023 at 15:59, anthdci said:

I wonder if/where they will be mounting cameras that look back at the ship so they can see what state the tiles are in before re-entry. 

 

They have cameras and antennae all over that ship, I think 5 or 6 Starlinks to keep the imagery flowing. After July's Polaris Dawn mission tests its use on Crew Dragon, they may add Starlink laser interlink comms to Starship.

Polaris Dawn will also be going as high as 1,400 km and do spacewalks using SpaceX's new EVA spacesuit. This will beat Gemini 11s LEO altitude record.

[DocM]

Starship flight test: April 17th

Other opportunities April 18-22

Webcast will start 45 minutes before launch.

Window opens 0800 Eastern

 

 

[DocM]

Starship launch

FAA TFRs* issued for Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18. 

Window: 0800 - 1105 Eastern

* Temporary Flight Restriction, keeping air traffic out of the launch zone & track.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 14/04/2023 at 12:09, DocM said:

Starship launch

FAA TFRs* issued for Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18. 

Window: 0800 - 1105 Eastern

* Temporary Flight Restriction, keeping air traffic out of the launch zone & track.

yay!

[Astra.Xtreme]

Hopefully the FAA license comes through today.  Let's light this candle!

[DocM]

On 14/04/2023 at 15:02, Astra.Xtreme said:

Hopefully the FAA license comes through today.  Let's light this candle!

 

Starship launch license granted

Link...

and,

SpaceX may leasing KSC's  Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) High Bay 1 for a  Starship staging area. 

Link...

 

[DocM]

The first few Starship flights will be expended

License,

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/media/VOL 23-129 SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy License and Orders 2023-04-14.pdf

 

 

[DocM]

Starship Orbital Flight Test (OFT) 

Date: Monday, April 17

Backup dates: April 18 - 22

Window: 0800 - 1105 Eastern (1200 - 1505 UT)

Pad: Starbase Pad 1

Vehicles: Booster 7, Starship 24

Recovery: water landings

Mission: the first 3 Starship flights will be basic flight tests, vehicles expended & hoping they don't wreck the pad. After clearing the pad, measuring actual physical & thermal loads, discovering problems which can't be found on the ground. 

Webcast begins ~45 min before liftoff