SpaceX Starship & Super Heavy booster [Raptor Vacuum breathes fire]

[Dr Mordrid]

This contracting method definitely favors Lunar Starship.

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Wow, this is extremely important!! https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/s...55378613612545 …
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Jim Bridenstine ✔ @JimBridenstine
The cost-saving success of @Commercial_Crew is based on @NASA establishing high-level requirements and letting private companies innovate. For the Artemis Moon base, NASA will establish a cost per ton delivered and once again let private companies innovate.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1270057678744678400

[Dr Mordrid]

American Astronautical Society conference; SpaceX's Director of Advanced Development for Civil Space Nick Cummings, talking about Lunar Starship landings.

For the terminal descent of Starship, a few tens of meters before we touch down on the lunar surface, We actually use a high-thrust RCS system so we don’t impinge on the surface of the Moon with a high-thrust Raptor engine. The thrusters planned have a lot of heritage in the Raptor design itself. It uses the same methane and oxygen propellants as Raptor, so there’s a lot of commonality there. We're going to be ramping up some very rapid testing activities in the coming year.

[Dr Mordrid]

SpaceX floating spaceports...

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon & hypersonic travel around Earth https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/stat...91684070871045 …
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Gavin - SpaceXFleet.com @SpaceXFleet
SpaceX is hiring for Offshore Operations Engineers in Brownsville.

From the post: "Work as part of a team of engineers and technicians to design and build an operational offshore rocket launch facility"

With thanks to @CowboyDanPaasch for the scoop.https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/...jid=4764403002
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Russ Parrish @russ_parrish
Replying to @elonmusk
Referb oil platforms with a hyperloop to transport from land?!
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Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Pretty much

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1272972228326379520

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1272972990326558720

[Dr Mordrid]

RIP SN7, the test to failure was successful. Waiting for the failure pressure.

[Dr Mordrid]

The SN-07 test tank set a pressure record for Starships, well over 8.5 bar.

Raptor SN-27 has been installed on SN-05, with the goal being a static fire late next week. At about 06;30 is an SN-08 dome made of 304L steel; more ductile, easier to weld, and a step before using their 30X custom alloy.

https://youtu.be/cqD6ufOCoXk

SN-05, with SN-06 still in the hangar.


SN-06

[Dr Mordrid]

BlueZilla, a Manitowoc 18000 Crawler Crane. It'll build High Bay 2, the 81+ meter vertical assembly building for the Super Heavy booster.

IMG_20200705_023224.jpg

https://twitter.com/cnunezimages/status/1279565645563277312

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-05 test schedule

Static fire: July 10
Backups: July 11 & July 12

150m hop: July 13
Backups: July 14 & July 15

Times: all days 0900-1800 Eastern

[Dr Mordrid]

Upcoming events,

SN-05: static fire & 150m hop, single Raptor engine. The hop could be as early as next week.

SN-06: most likely a hot spare for if SN-05 fails, or scrapped if it succeeds.

SN-08: full structure with a payload module, canards, lower fins, and 3 Raptor engines. Flight envelope expansion.

It's uncertain if there will be more SN-07-style test tanks. There could be if they make a fabrication of materials change - which is almost certain to be the case.

I think the largest risk is the jackknife landing legs. They haven't been used before, and we know per Musk they will be lengthened and splayed out for a wider stance in later builds. I put it at 2:1 odds of full success.

[Dr Mordrid]

Boca Chic road closures (test dates)

Dates: July 19, 20, 21
Times: 0900 - 1800 Eastern

FCC Special Temporary Authority

https://fcc.report/ELS/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp-SpaceX/1041-EX-ST-2020

2020-07-16
Operation Start Date: 08/18/2020
Operation End Date: 02/18/2021
>
This STA uses information from previous grant 0150-EX-ST-2020 and is necessary to authorize*Starship Prototype suborbital test vehicle communications for medium altitude hop tests (max altitude 20km) from the Boca Chica launch pad, and the experimental recovery following the suborbital hops.
>

[Dr Mordrid]

FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA)

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=101294

This STA uses information from previous grant 0150-EX-ST-2020 and is necessary to authorize Starship Prototype suborbital test vehicle communications for medium altitude hop tests (max altitude 20km) from the Boca Chica launch pad, and the experimental recovery following the suborbital hops. Trajectory data will be provided directly to NTIA, USAF, and NASA. Launch licensing authority is FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation.

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-O5 STATIC FIRE, hop soon.

IMG_20200730_173111.jpg

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1288928622728712192

[Dr Mordrid]

Static fire starts at about 30:00

[Dr Mordrid]

Boca Chica

Updated road closures (hop attempts)

Dates: August 2, 3 and 4
Times: 0900 - 2100 Eastern

[Dr Mordrid]

SpaceX has been launching weather balloons today at Boca Chica, and the tracking dishes are pointed at SN-05.

LabPadre rumors are a 150 meter hop attempt no earlier than 1600 Local (Central), 1700 Eastern.

LabPadre Cam 1

https://youtu.be/5QbM7Vsz3kg

LabPadre Cam 2

https://youtu.be/37CTuEfWhOA

[Dr Mordrid]

LabPadre mod says a "birdie" told him it'll be delayed 2 hours, so 1900 Eastern.