SpaceX

Apparently two engines shut down prematurely. Is that good enough for them to continue stacking? We should see soon enough.

https://x.com/spacex/status/1695158759717474379?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

Static fire!

Edit: Full duration (~6 seconds), targeted 50% thrust. Exact number of engines to be confirmed.

"SpaceX Files its Starship Mishap Report to the FAA" by Jack Kuhr at Payload.

SpaceX has filed a final mishap investigation report to the FAA for its April 20 Starship integrated flight test, the FAA told Payload on Tuesday. ...

SpaceX delayed submitting the final report for months while it implemented significant changes to both the launch vehicle and pad....

The changes mostly being the booster bidet, but there's also the Flight Termination System (FTS).

The FAA did not provide a specific timeline for its review process, leaving the timeframe for potential approval up in the air. SpaceX will need the go-ahead from the FAA before it launches again.

According to a SpaceX label, it's for Human Landing System, presumably a mockup or test article.

Chris Bergin - NSF @NASASpaceflight 4:20 PM · Aug 12, 2023, "Mary ( @BocaChicaGal) took some cool shots of the Ship 22 nosecone that went on a wander today. Human-sized door on its side!"

Image 1 -- Image 2 -- Image 3

Jack Beyer @thejackbeyer 5:05 PM · Aug 12, 2023, "The former S22 nosecone with a door that was rolled out today has an electrical box that says "HLS" on it... neat. @NASASpaceflight"

Image 1 -- Image 2 -- Image 3

TheSpaceEngineer @mcrs987 5:48 PM · Aug 12, 2023, "This is what we currently believe the interior of the Ship 22 crew cabin article looks like. -lol in the time it took to make this infographic it has now been confirmed to be HLS related"

Image

Pics of the hot staging ring from SpaceX!

https://x.com/spacex/status/1692610662604702138?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

Looks great to me, can’t wait to see this thing fly. Hope they get to staging.

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

9:30am- There were workers inspecting the pad shortly after the test and then there was 1 lift at the top of the OLM and 1 lift up at the chopsticks overnight. 1st shift started moving equipment back in when they arrived but they haven’t started any meaningful work as of yet. A lift has also been up at one of S25’s lift points this morning.

10:10am- I thought the lack of work on the OLM might be a sign that B9 would roll during the early closure but no sign of movement yet

11:45am- Lifts going up and down to the top of the OLM

1:07pm- Workers at the SQD

1:17pm- Side wing with the work platform swings away from the SQD

3:32pm- Crane returns to the launch pad

3:51pm- Crane removes a load from the dance floor

4:10pm- Crane removes a 2nd load of what looks like scaffolding pieces

4:22pm- 3rd load lifted and crane lowers

4:31pm- Crane leaves

5:00pm- Second closure window opens. B9 remains tucked away in the mega bay.

6:22pm- SPMT’s are still sitting outside of the mega bay. I think we can safely say they aren’t going to get B9 moved in the closure window.

6:32pm- Water truck filling up the plastic barriers around the mid bay.

8:00pm- Lifts have been up and down at the OLM. Water truck continues to fill the barriers around the mid bay. SPMT’s still sitting outside the mega bay.

9:30pm- 2 lifts have been up under the right side of the OLM working (on one of the pipes?)

10:30pm- Same 2 lifts up. Have moved to the back some

(This gets synced)

Looks like we have a tentative date for the next flight! August 31st. Obviously won’t hold, but this and the FAA Mishap report finally show some movement on the paperwork side.

https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1691829712203497738?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

Starship Gazer @StarshipGazer 11:31 AM · Aug 29, 2023:

A close look at Starship 25 tiles this morning. 8/29/23

Specifically, the tip of S25's nosecone. In images 3 and 4, note that two tiles have cracked-off chunks.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

SpaceX is live for today's static fire test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENxZS6PUDuI

Nice picture of Starship 29 rolling out of a high bay. Courtesy of Starship Gazer @StarshipGazer here.

In re the 15-degree engine firing gimbal test mentioned here:

Musk xeexed 3:11 AM · Aug 18, 2023: "Landing burn max gimbal deflection"

A bit of talk about the recent static fire, where 4 engines didn't ignite. /u/warp99 stated,

There have been a lot of subsequent tests on the GSE that supplies spin up gas to the outer ring of 20 engines.

That certainly implies that the four that failed to start cleanly may have been starved of spin up gas as all outer engines started together.

With IFT1 the startup process was staggered over three seconds and three groups of engines. SpaceX are going to cut that startup time in half which likely means starting in two groups which are probably all inners followed by all outer engines.

I think that's an interesting take, and more reassuring than engine problems, which a lot of other people have assumed.

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

8:45am- Lifts were up at the chopsticks, OLM, and the right rear chine overnight. Workers were also seen on top of the OLM.

2:04pm- Crane lifts another staircase segment into the new mega bay

3:47pm- Aerial work platform goes up to the underside of the SQD arm

6:23pm- Crane arrives near the chopsticks

6:30pm- Lift goes up to the chopsticks

7:04pm- 2nd crane arrives. Mini excavator working over by the dog house. (Breaking up fondag?)

8:05pm- Crane lifts the hydraulic arm, that operates the booster alignment pin on the right side, off of the OLM

9:15pm- Crane lifts the left side alignment pin unit off

(This gets synced)

Mishap Investigation has been closed!

https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1700148557641097474?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

63 corrective actions identified, but doesn’t state how many of those have been implemented already. And report won’t be made public, unfortunately.

No comments about the spin prime test? under 10K viewers live on spaceflightnow

The deluge mentioned in the linked timeline from /u/santacfan:

Anthony Gomez @AnthonyFGomez 9:56 PM · Aug 18, 2023

Suppression system is pretty wild. It almost sounded like a static fire. Bravo, @SpaceX That was one heck of a show.

It was! It is loud, though. With the nighttime video and muted dark colors, it looked astonishing! I wish I could download it, it's so artistic ... but of course that would be copyright violation and I would never recommend that.

There is a new notice to mariners, which announces “rocket launching activities” for (approximately) September 8th. The previous notice was for August 31st.

Abhi Tripathi @SpaceAbhi 6:32 PM · Aug 16, 2023:

For context, in my relevant personal experience the FAA doesn't just receive a mishap report thrown over a wall at them. They are read into the investigation and findings and corrective actions all along the way and not surprised. So I would disagree with the word "nuts."

in describing sending the FAA the report on August 16 and immediately getting a Notice to Mariners for August 31.

The poster also doesn’t recognize that the FAA typically doesn’t issue a bunch of corrective actions in these cases. They often approve or comment against the self identified corrective actions.

Generically speaking: In all the Aerospace investigations I’ve worked on, corrective actions don’t start only when a report is issued. They start on Day 1.

Short video of Booster 9 rolling out: https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1694019925667459409?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

They can roll out to the launch pad today. There’s a possible closure tomorrow for a static fire.

Zack Golden @CSI_Starbase (Nitter link) Aug 31, 2023 · 4:24 AM UTC states "They have been testing [tiles on ship 28] with a suction device to see if they would fall off. A large number of them failed the test."

4 years ago, Starhopper flew. YouTube video.

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

3:05am- Dance floor lowered on to its carrier

3:52am- Dance floor drives away

7:25am- Lifts were up most of the night and workers started to remove equipment from around the OLM.

10:04am- SQD arm swings out of the way

10:13am- Chopsticks go up

11:00am- One lift still at the pad and no sign of pressure washers yet. I also just noticed this morning that they put hesco barriers (the big dirt filled containers) in front of the container they brought over to the side of the pad the other night. Are they really thinking about leaving it there for a launch?

1:12pm- Workers removing the tarp that covers the deluge plate

1:25pm- Forklift hauling away the tarp

1:36:44pm- B9 ambient air depress vent?

1:37:49pm- Another vent

1:38pm- Grid fins tested

2:36:56pm- FireX test

2:57pm- Sheriff at the road block

3:16:34pm- Much larger FireX test

3:46pm- Adrian predicts that it will be at least 7pm cdt before a test occurs

5:06pm- OTF venting

5:18pm- Pope stack

6:16pm- OTF venting really picking up

6:37pm- OLM vent

7:25pm- OLM vent stops. Propellant loading should be under way. Appx 30 minutes until spin prime

7:34pm- Lox frost line

7:45pm- OLM vent. Propellant load should be done

7:48pm- Engine venting

8:11:15pm- FireX

8:11:34pm- Spin prime

8:13:31pm- Depress vent

8:18pm- Recondenser on

8:30:05- Purge vent test

8:46:35pm- Tower vent

8:50:03pm- Another purge vent test

9:51pm- 3rd purge test

10:04pm- Another depress vent

10:05pm- One stream of water from the FireX

10:42pm- Road open

(This gets synced)

Static fire attempt scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, 24 August 2023). Mary got a notice, pictured here.

This thread maybe... ok, maybe not haha.

Road closure for Monday: https://x.com/bocaroad/status/1691876519457554600?s=46&t=Mj914Aam14loAYQOISZ9zQ

With the hot staging ring already on B9, this could be for more booster static firings, but then we’ll need a transport road closure for that as well.

Top-level posts just added:

[SpaceX] September 8, 2023: Upgrades Ahead Of Starship’s Second Flight Test That is, it's a statement from SpaceX itself about the major problems it saw on Starship test 1, and several changes it has made.

[Chris Bergin, Abhi Tripathi @SpaceAbhi] SpaceX LEADS the investigation It's not appreciated that SpaceX did the investigation, decided on corrections, and wrote the report. The FAA provides feedback, but we don't know how much.

S25 is on the move!

Edit: NSF are live as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sEa6YbY5A4

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

4:23:30am- Pulling the legs out from under the front of the mid bay

4:29am- And down she goes in spectacular fashion

4:29:52am- Someone very appropriately yells Woo!!

4:33am- Excavators get to work clearing the mid bay

9:00am- Lifts were up under the OLM and at the chopsticks overnight. Things have been quiet this morning.

9:27am- Crane lifts something up to the chopsticks

10:40am- Lifts up on the backside of the OLM

11:59am- Lifts go down pad is quiet

2:45pm- Lift goes up on backside of OLM

3:14pm- Workers inspecting the blown over fence

9:10pm- OLM work continues. 3 lifts have been up to the OLM most of the evening.

10:19pm- Grinding and welding on the staircase. Looks like the upper crossbeams

(This gets synced)

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase live-

2:46am- New deluge manifold lifted into place

7:00am- One lift was up at the OLM overnight. It changed places a couple of times but mainly at the top.

7:39am- S26’s SPMT’s leave the launch site

7:50am- Lift goes up to the back side of the tower

9:06am- Lift up disconnecting S26 from the lifting squid

9:33am- Squid disconnected and swung away

11:44am- A couple of mini excavators are working in between the OLM and OLT. At least one has a Jack hammer attachment. Breaking up more fondag?

2:35pm- LR11000 moves back over near the deluge tank farm

3:36pm-Spreader picked up by the LR11000. Prepping to move the 3rd tank in position

4:05pm- Spreader swung over to the deluge tanks

4:20pm- Spreader lowered down closer to the 3rd tank

5:03pm- Lowered down the rest of the way and lift goes up to attach the straps

5:15pm- Straps hooked up

5:25pm- Tension on the straps

7:00pm- Tank is still hooked up to the crane. Hard to tell through the heat haze if they’ve moved the tank or not. Definitely didn’t lift it very much if they have.

7:22pm- Crane lifts something about 1/3rd of the way up the backside of the tower and a lift then goes up to the same area.

9:00pm- Straps around the 3rd tank remain under tension. The OLM is quiet.

10:00pm- Sheriffs ready for road block. Looks like a stand is coming to the production site from Massey’s

10:50pm- Deluge tank is finally airborne

10:56pm- Deluge tank lowered, final adjustments still being made

11:06pm- Finally a good view of the booster stand heading down Hwy 4 to the production site

11:17pm- Deluge tank is airborne again

(This gets synced)

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:

[Thread #4 for this sub, first seen 14th Aug 2023, 20:00] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]

New production diagram from Ringwatchers on the site formerly known as twitter: https://nitter.net/Ringwatchers/status/1690359657318027265

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase live-

8:00am- You’ll never believe it but work continued on the staircase and top of the OLM overnight. The crane never extended and no lifts went up to the chopsticks.

8:26am- Concrete pump truck up over on the backside of the deluge tank farm

8:51am- Lift up at the back side of the chopsticks carriage

9:05am- There are 4 lifts up at the staircase. They are really pushing to finish the welding

10:43am- B10 on the move down Remidos

11:53am- B10 turns on to hwy 4

12:07pm- B10 turns into the production site

12:18pm- Turns into the megabay

1:21pm- Crane leaves OLM area

1:35pm- Concrete truck arrives to start pouring at edge of pad (5 trucks yesterday so this is number 6)

3:56pm- Small concrete mixer under the OLM. Looks like they are repouring the fondag that was removed

5:45pm- Forklift has brought in 4 pieces of metal trough(think house gutters) and placed them in the area where the concrete was poured the last 2 days.

7:21pm- Pad appears to be clear and the pope stack just started venting. Testing something tonight? BQD hood is still open right now

7:32:12pm- Purge vent from the deluge tank farm

7:49pm- Pope stack stops

8:12pm- (20:12) Rover 2 - Security at the entrance to the pad leaves. So pad should be back open.

8:16pm- Or maybe not. Pope stack starts back up

8:18pm- Recondenser vent going

8:25:25pm- More loud venting (from recondenser?)

8:57:26pm- Vent finally dies out/recondenser stops

8:58pm- Pope stack starts again

9:20pm- Fireworks

9:40pm- Half of tent 2 goes down

10:39pm- Workers return to the OLM and get right back to work on the staircase.

(This gets synced)

SpaceX @SpaceX 2:42 PM · Aug 17, 2023

Long duration test fire of Raptor while gimbaled 15 degrees

Lots of discussion about why there was such a test. Some suggesting that it was for Starship for hot staging. Others saying that the new hot-staging ring has such a high dome in it that the sea-level engine gimballing so far wouldn't actually help.

Some comments about how 15 degrees is really high, like Saturn V first stage having 5 degrees, and 3-8 is more common. The Space Shuttle has 12.5 for the RS-25, but the new ones are certified for only 6. The suggestion was that this is because the stages need to be able to flip.

New transport closure for tomorrow. I guess that’s to bring Booster 9 to the OLM for the next static fire (or spin prime?) on Monday.

https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/spacex/

Stuff is really starting to come together. Wonder how long it’ll take them to get the FAA license, but September doesn’t look crazy to me.

According to Musk Sep 6, 2023 · 1:30 AM UTC, "Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval".

But an Other Place comment from u/space_rocket_builder here was

Aiming for launch readiness as early as next week and the launch as early as start of mid September. FAA process expected “soon” but we could still be a few weeks away.

I think they've asserted themself to be a good source, but I am not sure.

Another comment (someone else) asserted that the propellant farm has not been loaded yet, and that takes a lot of trucks.

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

11:00pm- Ventilation hose removed

1:23am- RIP tent 2

6:20am- The wooden concrete forms are being removed from the area around the edge of the pad

8:30am- Lifts were up at the staircase, top of the OLM, and chopsticks overnight. The air handling units were also removed from around the base.

9:40am- Area around the pad is being cleaned out of lifts and equipment. Are we in for more testing?

10:50am- Party on top of the OLM and 1 lift up. (I count at least 10 people) They did a quick run through with the sweeper

10:52am- Lift at S25. Finishing the tile work?

10:57am- Pressure washing. That’s a sure sign that we are getting ready to see the deluge

11:02am- Workers climbing into the BQD

12:00pm- Workers working on both sides of the BQD as well as on the BQD itself. (Even with RGV’s pictures I still can’t figure out what they are doing off to the sides). Pressure washing continues underneath

1:25pm- Looks like 2 pressure washing trucks are all that is left at the pad

1:28pm- Trucks leave. Still people on top of the control bunker for the tank farm

1:46pm- 3 people on the very top of the tower at the pulley for the chopsticks and a drone watching them. (NSF on the raptorside thinks they were working on the cameras)

2:28pm- Pressure washing truck back under the OLM

3:00pm- Water truck and a sweeper vehicle back at the launch site.

3:12pm- 3 people on top of the OLM. Another pressure washing truck returns

4:19pm- Pressure washing trucks leave again

5:10pm- Lift up at the deluge tanks

5:34pm- Workers taking down tarp that was set up on top of the new deluge tank

6:06:51pm- PA announcement- Clear the pad deflector testing

6:43pm- Chopsticks rising

7:28pm- Elevator just went up to the chopsticks level.

7:35pm- Last tanker truck leaving deluge tank farm

8:18pm- Another water tanker arrives at the deluge tank farm. Pad still clear

8:34pm- Tanker leaving

8:44pm- PA announcement/Klaxon

9:07pm- System is being primed

9:09pm- Whoosh

9:10:05pm- End of test (Looking at the replays, it looks like full pressure for around 25 seconds)

(This gets synced)

Zack Golden @CSI_Starbase (Nitter link) Sep 2, 2023 · 3:45 AM UTC has a multi-post speculation about Super Heavy testing at Boca Chica.

I am now 95% confident that SpaceX is in the process of building not one, but two Super Heavy Static Fire Test stands. One will be located near the Suborbital tank farm, and the other will be at the Massey's test site.

These test stands are essentially mini versions of the Orbital Launch Mount. There are a few major differences though:

1. These stands will not have launch capability so they will be much simpler....

2. Because of the location of these test stands, and severe limitations on space, the method of testing engines will have to be different than how its done on the OLM. [flame trenches]

Why?

1. Well at some point, launches will become much more frequent. This means the OLM will be nearly always be busy preparing for the next launch....

2. The Orbital Launch Mount, with its new Bidet system is limited to Static fire tests of less than 10 seconds. It is truly designed for Launching Full stacks, and not for long duration tests purely due to the volume of water stored in the tanks.

3. The OLM is also believed to be limited to Static Fire tests with thrust values at or around 50%. This is a result of the design of the hold down clamps. Also, the skirt of the booster is likely not designed for the kind of forces it would experience if it was being held down at max thrust....

So if this speculation is true, what should we be on the lookout for?

1. The areas where these will be located will either be built up to accommodate a flame trench, or they will soon begin excavating large holes into the ground for this purpose.

2. The suborbital tank farm will likely need to be expanded in order to increase its LOX and CH4 storage capabilities. I believe SpaceX is already in the beginning stages of this massive renovation.

3. CH4 storage tanks will need to be added to the Massey's test site. They will also need additional GSE equipment for filling Booster COPV's. This includes Helium storage, CO2 for the engine skirt purge system.

4. There will likely also need to be additional water tanks installed for traditional deluge systems for both of these tests stands....

He says he'd do a video if he weren't already in the middle of two deep-dives.

u/Alvian_11 in The Other Place says that a "flame diverter/ramp" is different from a "flame trench" and that a flame diverter/ramp makes much more sense.

S25 is on the SPMT for rollout!

Starship Gazer is live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKhR8RFY6sQ

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

2:30am- Pad clear

6:14am- Lift goes up because not even a landfalling tropical storm can stop work on the staircase

7:15am- Lift goes back down

7:26am- Lift goes back up. More workers showing up under the pad

7:44am- Second lift goes up

10:05am- 2 lifts have been up at the OLM and 1 at the chopsticks. Crane is in position to lift the kettle boiler. B9 still tucked away in the mega bay as the rain continues to fall

10:54am- B9 rolls to the front of the megabay

11:03- B9 rolls out of megabay

11:24am- Turns on to Hwy 4

12:01pm- Chopsticks go up

12:30pm- Turns into the launch site

12:40pm- Arrives at the chopsticks

12:44pm- Drives in between the chopsticks

2:15pm- Chopsticks close

2:19pm- Chopsticks rise up to the lift points

3:57pm- Klaxon and PA announcements

4:48pm- Lift starts

4:52- Paused

5:11pm- Raising up again

5:14pm- Swinging open

5:17pm- Going up again

5:20pm- Swinging over the pad

5:30pm- Lowering

7:12pm- Chopsticks open and lower

7:21pm- SQD arm swings over

7:33pm- Lifts go up to the top of the OLM

(This gets synced)

New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:

Starbase Live-

4:01am- LR11000 moves away from the pad

6:43am- Workers return to pad. Service trucks to the broken down lift

6:58am- Raptor install stand rolling over to the pad

7:15am- Lifts go up to the install stand

7:30am- Install stand rolls up to the the OLM

7:33am- Lift goes up to the top of the OLM

7:36am- The lift lives!! High five to my fellow mechanics!

7:50am- More lifts arrive and go up to the top of the OLM

8:18am- The remaining scaffolding on top of the OLM is coming down

8:46am- Workers working on the deluge plate?

9:00am- Raptor install stand moves under the pad

9:18am- Install stand rises up under the booster

9:45am- Here comes the engineers to look at things

9:50am- SPMT’s leaving the launch site

12:00pm- Raptor stand is still up under the vehicle and lifts have been going up and down from it. Workers have also been on top of the OLM.

1:13pm- Guy with a leaf blower blowing dust off the pad

1:37pm- Sweeper vehicle working along the edge of the pad

1:57pm- Work platform lowers on the install stand

2:49pm- Raptor install stand rolls out from under the OLM

3:00pm- Rolls all the way over to the sub orbital pads

3:24pm- Red caution tape wrapped around the bottom of the OLM

3:50pm- Workers at the SQD and on top of the OLM.

5:50pm- Workers have been inspecting something over by the tower and are still working on top of the OLM

6:30pm- Workers have set up a total station under the pad to survey/scan the area

7:04pm- Packing the scanner away. Would be interesting to know if they were just taking measurements or if they were using it to calibrate sensors

7:06pm- Power washer!! (It took 5 hours last time to clean the whole pad)

7:45pm- Lifts have come down from the top of the OLM. Workers still working under the pad though

8:14pm- Operation point lighting tower right at NSF camera is a success

(This gets synced)

NASASpaceflight is live for today's testing and possible static fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDS93-WiB0

Some Xer, Cowboy Dan @CowboyDanPaasch, wrote (Nitter link) Sep 2, 2023 · 11:58 AM UTC,

Boat #SpaceX used for ops during first orbital flight test is inbound to #Starbase atm. The former GLADYS D had been offgrid last three weeks around Pensacola FL. #SpaceXArmada

... a passenger fastboat by trade, appears she's been outfitted w/ some extra gear. Worked LZ/recon ops during first orbital test flight. Now mooring in Port Isabel Texas. (@jessica_kirsh cam) piped.video link that doesn't work for me

Kevin Mock @kevmk04 replied,

The GLADYS D's sister ship was used on the first Dragon recovery mission. The GLADYS S

I can't really find full confirmation of that. I do find an Xmission from Gav Cornwell @SpaceOffshore Apr 20, 2023 · 10:54 AM UTC,

Fast boat Gladys S departed from Port Isabel this morning to support the SpaceX launch.

Still not exactly sure what role the vessel is playing but it's confirmed to be involved based on its AIS designation of 'Texas Launch' and the fact it has two Starlink dishes mounted...

And a bit later, with pictures,

A look at the Gladys S, which appears to have been supporting the SpaceX launch in some capacity offshore.

Spot the Starlink terminals!

Retweeting Jenny Hautmann @JennyHPhoto Apr 20, 2023 · 9:35 PM UTC.