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Boca Chica's definitely evolving into a space-shipyard, and Starship test vehicle SN3 is stacking.
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Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 19 March 2020, 20:08.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
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Starshio SN-03's propulsion module being moved to the pad for pressure tests, static fires, and test hops & flights.
On the test stand
IMG_20200329_182130.jpgDr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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Starship SN-03 is on the pad at Boca Chica TX preparing fof pressure tests, static fires and hops. 3 large hydraulic jack's have been installed to simulate Raptor thrust loads during the pressure tests.
SN-04 parts are in production, and new infrastructure is being built.
Latest news:
Starship SN-03 has a new landing leg design. There are 6, and before deployment they're folded up into the engine bay. When deployed these legs flip out and telescope, giving Starship a wider stance when landed.
Up-skirt view of SN-03 showing the yellow thrust-load jacks, which simulates the thrust of the 3 center Raptor sea level engines, block the view of 2 legs.
- Starship SN-04 on will have even longer telescoping legs for an even wider stance.
- 3 more Raptor vacuum engines and 3 lower cargo bins, or 6 more Raptor sea level engines, can also fit in there. Beastly.
BIG NEWS:
SpaceX Starship Users Guide (PDF)...
Wow....
Bullet points,
* Payload and Propulsion modules are modular, both vertically integrated.
* Payload and Propulsion modules can be swapped in & out.
* Integration: "Payloads are integrated into the Starship fairing vertically in ISO Class 8 (Class 100,000) cleanrooms"
* Payloads: "The uncrewed Starship allows for the transport of satellites, large observatories, cargo, refueling tanks"...
So, the tanker won't necessarily use residual props from launch but also props in separate tanks. BIG tanks.
* 2 standard payload bay configurarions:
Standard: 8x17.24 meters
Extended: 8x22+ meters
Custom lengths available (!!)
Standard bay
.jpg.4dd373b3e369bab80c8290edde44464c.jpg)
Payload Mass
* "Chomper" payload deployment: standard interfaces, tilting deployment table.
* Co-manifesting
- 1-3x geosynchronous telecom satellite(s)
- Full constellation of satellites on a single mission
- 1-2x geosynchronous telecom satellites plus rideshare system of small satellites
- In-space demonstration spacecraft that remains integrated with Starship and returns to Earth
- Cargo and crew configurations
* Space Shuttle 2.0: "Fully-reusable Starship and Super Heavy systems are expected to allow for space-based activities that have not been possible since the retirement of the Space Shuttle and Space Transportation System or have never been possible before."
Whew....Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 1 April 2020, 03:43.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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Jeff Foust @jeff_foust
Looks like the FAA NOTAM is posted for a SpaceX Starship SN3 static fire test as soon as Wednesday:
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_0_1989.html …
12:24 PM - Mar 30, 2020
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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They lost SN-03 to a test setup problem. This was not a design/build issue.
SN-04 is preparing to be stacked.
Pranay Pathole @PPathole
Elon, it seemed like CH4 tank was filled and the LOX tank which was not filled collapsed because of the weight.
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Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Pretty much. Good news is that this was a test configuration error, rather than a design or build mistake. Not enough pressure in the LOX tank ullage to maintain
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|There are redundant pressure control valves. It’s a new system and SN3 was simply commanded wrong. Rockets are hard.Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 5 April 2020, 00:45.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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Hoping to pressure test Starship test article SN-04 tomorrow, April 25. FAA has issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) for a test hop to 1500 feet in about a week.
SN-05 has moved into the High Bay for stacking, and SN-06 parts are being built.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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On to mounting the Raptor engines and at least one static fire.
"SN4 PASSED CRYO PROOF!
"
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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2 days, 2 static fires of SN-04
SN-05 (being stacked) and SN-06 (parts being produced) are in the wings, and requests are in to FAA for flight clearances; a 150m hop and a 20km jump.
Tonight's
Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 7 May 2020, 01:13.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
SN4 passed high pressure (7.5 bar) & engine thrust load at cryo
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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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 EasternDr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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Buckle up kiddies...
1 hour after today's 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.
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.
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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It went Ka-Beauuwm... rather spectacularly...Hey, Donny! We got us a German who wants to die for his country... Oblige him. - Lt. Aldo RaineComment
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Looks like the GSE let go during de-tanking, perhaps damaged by the static fire, and methane pooled under the stand. Once that happens a boomski is inevitable.
On the bright side, they were going to redo the GSE anyhow to add re-condensing vented methane, there's a second test stand mostly built, and SN-05 is already stacked in High Bay 1.Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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SN4 boomski,
Joey Roulette @joroulette
Elon Musk, leaving the KSC press site just now, said of yesterday's Starship test in Boca Chica Texas: "Unfortunately what we thought was going to be a minor test of a quick disconnect ended up being a big problem," referring to the explosion.
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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High Bay 2 (Super Heavy) coming soon
This fits with high construction activity at the Super Heavy pad site.
Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Giant high bay coming soon
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Chris B - NSF @NASASpaceflight
Replying to @elonmusk
Oh my! And we thought the High Bay currently being used to stack Starship was impressive. Something for Super Heavy stacking I assume? KSC VAB scale?
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Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Yeah, for Super Heavy stacking
Dr. Mordrid
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An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fpsComment
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