SpaceX flight testing in South Texas
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From: Peripatetic
Still no news on the launch date though.
Kathy Lueders provided an update on Starbase on 14th. Here are the key points she made:
Starship's IFT-4 licence is expected the last week of May or possibly early June….
IFT-4 wet dress rehearsal should be done in the next week. It was delayed due to an issue with Ship 31 during its testing.
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From: Peripatetic
ArsTechnica:
Dismantled towers, environmental studies, and more launch pads—what is up with SpaceX's plans for Starship in Florida? We take a stab at decoding SpaceX’s ever-changing plans for Starship in Florida.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/0...ip-in-florida/
Dismantled towers, environmental studies, and more launch pads—what is up with SpaceX's plans for Starship in Florida? We take a stab at decoding SpaceX’s ever-changing plans for Starship in Florida.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/0...ip-in-florida/
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From: Peripatetic
Here are some of the rather unexpected changes for SpaceX's Starship Flight 4, which is NET June 5th!
➡️Booster will jettison the hot staging ring to reduce weight.
➡️Starship will perform a Flip.
➡️Starship will attempt a landing.
Latest Info:
➡️Booster will jettison the hot staging ring to reduce weight.
➡️Starship will perform a Flip.
➡️Starship will attempt a landing.
Latest Info:
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From: Peripatetic
Starship and Super Heavy loaded with more than 10 million pounds of propellant in a rehearsal ahead of Flight 4.
Launch is targeted as early as June 5, pending regulatory approval.
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Launch is targeted as early as June 5, pending regulatory approval.
b
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From: UK
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Starship flight 4 launch has moved to June 6th 7am local time.
The fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 6, pending regulatory approval.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.
The launch window will open as early as 7 a.m. CT.
As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.
The fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 6, pending regulatory approval.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.
The launch window will open as early as 7 a.m. CT.
As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.
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From: Peripatetic
Elon Musk:
“Starship Flight 4, with many improvements, aiming to launch on Thursday!
The main goal of this mission is to get much deeper into the atmosphere during reentry, ideally through max heating.”
“Starship Flight 4, with many improvements, aiming to launch on Thursday!
The main goal of this mission is to get much deeper into the atmosphere during reentry, ideally through max heating.”
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From: Peripatetic
Video Ship 26 has performed the first Static Fire Test at the new Massey's Flame Trench!
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From: Peripatetic
Starship flight 4 launch license has been issued by the FAA. Let's Go!
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From: Peripatetic
Interestingly the FAA has stated that if any of these three conditions occur it will NOT require an investigation as proposed by #SpaceX. Cutting a lot of red tape it seems which is great to see.
"The three approved exceptions include:
failure of the thermal shield during high-heating;
the flap system is unable to provide sufficient control under high dynamic pressure;
and the failure of the Raptor engine system during the landing burn.
If one of these scenarios occurs, an investigation will not be required provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property and no debris outside designated hazard areas."
"The three approved exceptions include:
failure of the thermal shield during high-heating;
the flap system is unable to provide sufficient control under high dynamic pressure;
and the failure of the Raptor engine system during the landing burn.
If one of these scenarios occurs, an investigation will not be required provided there was no serious injury or fatality, no damage to unrelated property and no debris outside designated hazard areas."
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From: Central UK
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That was awe inspiring.
Not only that both the booster and Starship made it back to successful water landings - but the manner it was done.
Once the front of the flap had a burn through and the rear started to come apart and melt so the internal structure could be seen it was obvious no one, not even the SpaceX commentators, expected it t9 last more than a few seconds before disintegrating.
That it managed not only hold together but continue to function up and including performing the final pitch up manoeuvre before the landing touch down burn was mind blowing and an sign of the strength of the structure - and stainless steel.
That Starlink also gave continuous coverage all the way down was also amazing - in contrast to the Boeing Starliner which has no video downlink capability.
I don’t imagine reinforcing the tiles on the flap will be much of an issue. All looks good for IFT-5 as none of the launch licence red lines were breached.
More important, from NASA’s point of view, that was the fourth successful booster launch so well on the way to being able to launch the lunar lander and supporting tankers where re-entry isn’t a factor.
Not only that both the booster and Starship made it back to successful water landings - but the manner it was done.
Once the front of the flap had a burn through and the rear started to come apart and melt so the internal structure could be seen it was obvious no one, not even the SpaceX commentators, expected it t9 last more than a few seconds before disintegrating.
That it managed not only hold together but continue to function up and including performing the final pitch up manoeuvre before the landing touch down burn was mind blowing and an sign of the strength of the structure - and stainless steel.
That Starlink also gave continuous coverage all the way down was also amazing - in contrast to the Boeing Starliner which has no video downlink capability.
I don’t imagine reinforcing the tiles on the flap will be much of an issue. All looks good for IFT-5 as none of the launch licence red lines were breached.
More important, from NASA’s point of view, that was the fourth successful booster launch so well on the way to being able to launch the lunar lander and supporting tankers where re-entry isn’t a factor.