SpaceX flight testing in South Texas
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: USA
This reminds me a bit of when Oregon State DoT tried to remove a whale carcass with dynamite.
Yup - it was a camera platform.
Yup - it was a camera platform.
Last edited by MechEngr; 20th April 2023 at 23:45. Reason: wrong state.
See and avoid
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From: USA
At that launch site, Space X does not does not have a water acoustic trap or absorber like the Saturn 5 used. They also don’t have a flame trench, or so I have been told.
The space shuttle launches used to use an acoustic water trap (deluge) too.
The space shuttle launches used to use an acoustic water trap (deluge) too.
See and avoid
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From: USA
“Nasa tests out the water deluge system for its new Space Launch System (SLS). The Ignition Overpressure Protection and Sound Suppression (IOP/SS) system releases two million litres (450,000 gallons) during take-off to dampen the huge shockwaves and heat of a rocket launch. It has been in place since the Space Shuttle but has been upgraded for the SLS“
Elon Musk does not use it.
Elon Musk does not use it.
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Everett, WA
This is pretty good take on the test:
Congratulations SpaceX – The Laughing Wolf
Most of the early Falcon flights didn't land successfully - but they kept testing and figured it out. Now it's routine.
I have little doubt they'll figure this out as well.
Congratulations SpaceX – The Laughing Wolf
SpaceX is doing what should have been done by many others: they test. They test to destruction. The Starships that exploded in ground testing? Good thing. Lots and lots of data. They were not failures, each one enabled the next to be improved. Certain agencies and many companies don’t want to test to that extent, as they are convinced the public sees such as a failure when it is not so. Yes, I know there are idiots that do feel that way, but they have no clue about reality as a general rule.
I have little doubt they'll figure this out as well.
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: A better place.
Comrade Korolev couldn't make that many engines work in synchronicity either.
Personally - out of interest, test drove a Model 3 - very impressive performance, but still too expensive, and I don't need all that extra electronic frippery.
But there's no way you'd get me anywhere near any of his aerospace ventures as a passenger.
Absolutely knew that thing was going to blow up.
Crikey, it was even tilting and then gimballing to correct as it cleared the launch tower!
Personally - out of interest, test drove a Model 3 - very impressive performance, but still too expensive, and I don't need all that extra electronic frippery.
But there's no way you'd get me anywhere near any of his aerospace ventures as a passenger.
Absolutely knew that thing was going to blow up.
Crikey, it was even tilting and then gimballing to correct as it cleared the launch tower!
Professional Student
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From: My Secret Island Lair
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From: London
I'm actually quite impressed at how robust the system was. Clearly experiencing multiple issues from an early stage with engines out, exhaust plumes that showed something other than fuel being burned, and exhaust plumes in strange directions, but the guidance system kept it pointing in the right direction for a long time regardless. Even when that couldn't cope, it managed 2 full loops without falling apart. That will have given them a lot more data, and stress-tested a lot more systems, than if someone had triggered the FTS as soon as things were obviously going wrong.
Will be very interested to see whether there were multiple independent failures or a single root cause (and if the latter, whether flying concrete was a major factor).
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From: near an aeroplane
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From: Blighty
I'm actually quite impressed at how robust the system was. Clearly experiencing multiple issues from an early stage with engines out, exhaust plumes that showed something other than fuel being burned, and exhaust plumes in strange directions, but the guidance system kept it pointing in the right direction for a long time regardless. Even when that couldn't cope, it managed 2 full loops without falling apart. That will have given them a lot more data, and stress-tested a lot more systems, than if someone had triggered the FTS as soon as things were obviously going wrong.
Will be very interested to see whether there were multiple independent failures or a single root cause (and if the latter, whether flying concrete was a major factor).
Will be very interested to see whether there were multiple independent failures or a single root cause (and if the latter, whether flying concrete was a major factor).
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Peripatetic
Lots of changes in the pipeline. Booster 9, for example, also has armour around each raptor isolating them for their neighbours plus most are improved Raptor 2s. It also has a redesigned thrust puck for 13 inner engines instead of 9.
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From: Everett, WA
Where some of those chunks of concrete came from:
RGV Aerial Photography on Twitter: "Here is an aerial view taken today of the damage to the concrete surrounding the OLM. @elonmusk flame trench by the next Starship Launch? Full gallery will be available at https://t.co/l5nZ12tVTO or subscribe to our twitter https://t.co/vOOjdm1mpv" / Twitter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
And where they went….
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/21/u...ust-texas.html
SpaceX’s Starship Kicked Up a Dust Cloud, Leaving Texans With a Mess
Residents of Port Isabel said that their city was covered in grime following SpaceX’s rocket launch on Thursday. The city said there was no “immediate concern for people’s health.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/21/u...ust-texas.html
SpaceX’s Starship Kicked Up a Dust Cloud, Leaving Texans With a Mess
Residents of Port Isabel said that their city was covered in grime following SpaceX’s rocket launch on Thursday. The city said there was no “immediate concern for people’s health.”
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From: Down Sarf
Maybe they should have considered that beforehand. Even their Falcon launches have flame trenches and water suppression systems.