SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship updates

[DocM]

SN-04's on the test stand,

 

[anthdci]

Is there much change from SN3? I presume we don’t get much information about that

[DocM]

1 hour ago, anthdci said:

Is there much change from SN3? I presume we don’t get much information about that

 

They reused the SN-03 lower skirt, which includes the 6 landing legs.

 

There are also plumbing upgrades, including a revamped pressurization system. Problems with pressurization and a human error killed SN-03. Welding is constantly being improved. Domes are also bring improved.

 

SN-05 has numerous changes, and they're prepping to add the revamped fins and larger landing legs. 

 

Also, wider rings are in the plan...

 

 

 

 

[DocM]

On to mounting three Raptor engines and a static fire...

 

"SN4 PASSED CRYO PROOF! :D"

 

 

 

[Skiver Veteran]

3 hours ago, DocM said:

On to mounting three Raptor engines and a static fire...

 

"SN4 PASSED CRYO PROOF! :D"

 

 

 

I think SN4 is only planned for a single raptor and hopefully a 150m hop test with SN5 going full 3 engines.

[DocM]

20 hours ago, Skiver said:

I think SN4 is only planned for a single raptor and hopefully a 150m hop test with SN5 going full 3 engines.

Yup. Good odds SN-04  gets longer landing legs and the nose cone. 40/60 it gets fins.

[DocM]

SN-04 static fire Friday night. The window opens at 2200 Eastern.

[DocM]

SpaceX gets to compete for Artemis lunar crew landings, and the Lunar Crew Starship gets high mounted landing thrusters,

 

 

[IsItPluggedIn]

On 4/29/2020 at 11:27 AM, DocM said:

SN-04 static fire Friday night. The window opens at 2200 Eastern.

Hey Doc, what happened with the static fire?

[DocM]

Postponed "a few days."

 

The Cameron County Judge (county/parish executive in most states) signed off on a Route 4 road closure, but the state roads dept. had other plans and pulled rank. 

 

They'll likely do equipment checks, a wet dress rehersal, then fire up the pre-burners and let 'er rip.

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by DocM

[SALSN]

I'm so excited that they are already going for reusable vehicles that are not supposed to go back to earth, I suspect this could put us on a quick path toward space only transportation vehicles, which could quickly open a lot of new and exciting possibilities.

Here's to hoping for an orbital construction yard soon 😄

[DocM]

SN-04 STATIC FIRE!!

 

SN-05 is being stacked, SN-06 is right behind her.

 

Single Raptor engine, ~4 seconds. Ramping to the 3 engine center cluster, with 6 engines being the usual compliment (3 each sea level & vacuum optimized)

 

The Super Heavy booster gets 31 sea level engines.

 

NASASpaceFlight stream

 

LabPadre stream

 

[DocM]

Another static fire attempt tonight

 

 

[DocM]

STATIC FIRE!!

 

Whoa, that was a bright one...

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by DocM

[Skiver Veteran]

Any news on when the hop test will be?

[DocM]

When FAA issues the permit, and that office is shorthanded. The FCC Special Temporary Authority for radio comms starts May 20 and runs ~6 months

 

This was a test of the CH4 header tank (landing fuel tank) system, not the mains.

[DocM]

Notice To AirMen at Boca Chica, ops leading to a static fire using Raptor s/n 20.

Tuesday May 12 to Thursday May 14

Window: 1000 to 2200 Eastern

[DocM]

May 16 (tomorrow) a static fire, May 18 a hop.

 

Updated FAA NOTAM

 

FDC 0/1466 - TX..AIRSPACE BROWNSVILLE, TX..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 260124N/0970742W TO 255818N/0970742W TO 255818N/0971108W TO 260124N/0971108W TO 260124N/0970742W SFC-16000FT TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIROMENT FOR SPACE LAUNCH AND REENTRY OPERATIONS PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.143. SPACEX ARE AUTH IN THE AIRSPACE. SPACEX TELEPHONE 321-361-7062 IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION. HOUSTON /ZHU/ ARTCC TELEPHONE 281-230-5560 IS THE FAA CDN FACILITY. 18 MAY 11:00 2020 UNTIL 18 MAY 19:00 2020. CREATED: 15 MAY 21:15 2020

[DocM]

Oh, my...thrusters plus it's still wearing the protective poly film. Once that's peeled off 😎

 

 

 

Processed...

[DocM]

Static fire!

 

Followed by a small fire outside the lower skirt. Looks like a ground support methane line let go. They hit it with the water cannons.

[Skiver Veteran]

 

[Skiver Veteran]

 

 

I don't know if they just pick a height way above their intentions but that could be pretty awesome if they get anywhere near that.

[DocM]

Merlin v Raptor

 

 

[DocM]

Buckle up kiddies...

 

1 hour after the successful SN-04 static fire with a 25 tonne mass simulator, the FAA issued a 2 year suborbital RLV launch license. This is for any number for Starship missions.

 

https://t.co/ksyfzc4Gj1?amp=1

 

Monday's NOTAM is for up to 26,000 feet.

 

Also; they'll be removing the flare stack, replacing it with a condensation unit so they can trap & liquify vented methane instead of burning it.

 

 

 

[anthdci]

21 hours ago, DocM said:

Buckle up kiddies...

 

1 hour after the successful SN-04 static fire with a 25 tonne mass simulator, the FAA issued a 2 year suborbital RLV launch license. This is for any number for Starship missions.

 

https://t.co/ksyfzc4Gj1?amp=1

 

Monday's NOTAM is for up to 26,000 feet.

 

Also; they'll be removing the flare stack, replacing it with a condensation unit so they can trap & liquify vented methane instead of burning it.

 

 

 

Not much left of SN4. Roll up SN5.