Starship SN-11 test flight updates (static fire)

[Dr Mordrid]

Next up to bat, incorporating lessons learned from 8, 9, and 10.

After this last "boilerplate" vehicle they skip 12, 13, and 14 and go to SN-15, 16, 17, 18, 29, and 20. This next series are to be built using a new, stronger, and thinner stainless steel alloy with many other upgrades.

Additionally, Super Heavy booster BN-1 is now being stacked on a new heavy-duty test stand. It'll be 9 meters wide and 70 meters tall - as high as the full Falcon 9/Falcon Heavy stack - including their upper stage and fairing. Big. Beast.

SN-11 Roll-Out livestream today

Screenshot_2021-03-08-10-06-57-859.jpeg

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-11 preps & mods, SN-10 issues...

Austin Barnard @austinbarnard45
Mar 9, 2021
Just prior to SN11 being placed onto the launch mount, SpaceX employees lowered down each and every landing leg. Testing them, so unlike during the SN10 flight; they will hopefully deploy properly this time.
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Elon Musk ✓ @elonmusk
SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m/s crushed legs & part of skirt. Multiple fixes in work for SN11.
3:09 PM · Mar 9, 2021

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1369379914139451406

[Dr Mordrid]

Pedal to the metal...

Mary @BocaChicaGal
Mar 11, 2021
I have received an “Alert” notice and a road closure has been scheduled for Friday, March 12 from 7 a.m. - noon. Possible static fire attempt of Starship SN11’s three Raptor engines as early as tomorrow.
@NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1370217153803194372

[Dr Mordrid]

STATIC FIRE

SN-11 may fly Tuesday or Wednesday, FAA permits are in place, and the BN-1 Super Heavy booster ground test vehicle should roll out soon.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1373997275593248769

[Dr Mordrid]

A Tuesday flight is out for weather (high winds).

Surface to unlimited altitude TFR for Thursday
Window: 0800 - 2100 Eastern

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_7922.html

Screenshot_2021-03-22-14-06-58-500.jpeg

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-11

STATIC FIRE!

ALSO, an evacuation order has been issued for the flight this afternoon

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1375436971829567489

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1375464984881283075

[Dr Mordrid]

Scrubbed. Likely next try is Monday.

[Dr Mordrid]

New NASASpaceFlight video showing the first integration tower's foundation being clad with concrete forms for the first pour. There'll be two, one for each orbital pad.

They'll be topped by a beastly crane and arms to catch landing Super Heavy boosters. 450 feet/138 meters tall.

[Dr Mordrid]

Scrub:*FAA rep couldn't make it to the site.

Now NET Tuesday (tomorrow)

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1376558233624666120

[Dr Mordrid]

SN-11 flight

Primary date: March 30 (Tuesday)
Window: 0800 - 1600 Eastern

They're trying for early in the window due to increasing winds in the PM

Secondary date: April 2 (Friday)
Window: 0800 - 1300 Eastern

NASASpaceFlight stream

[Dr Mordrid]

Another boomski, but also the last "block 0" prototypes, and the last of the early-built Raptors.

Moving on to SN15, which has many changes due to lessons learned.

SN15

Chris B - NSF ✓ @NASASpaceflight
Starship SN15 has been moved out of the Mid Bay while its Nosecone and Barrel Section have been stacked in front of the Windbreak.

Elon noted SN15 has 100s of design improvements (structures, avionics/software & engine).

Captured as always by the amazing Mary (@BocaChicaGal).

20210331_100555.jpg
20210331_100558.jpg

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1377255522764734464