SpaceX flight testing in South Texas
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
Presumably trying it a replacement/repaired pump - or the performance without it…. And from all appearances successfully.
Video
Video
https://x.com/VickiCocks15/status/20...357139198?s=20
A 2nd full deluge test, including top deck, has been carried out today.
A 2nd full deluge test, including top deck, has been carried out today.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
19m video
https://x.com/SERobinsonJr/status/20...335260415?s=20
SPACEX: I visited Pecan Island in Louisiana's Vermilion Parish. The 136,000-acre site, owned by ExxonMobil and Vermilion Corporation, is under consideration by SpaceX for their next spaceport.
Vermilion Corporation owns an unused dock on Freshwater Bayou at the mouth of the Gulf of America. This location would allow SpaceX to barge Super Heavy Boosters and Starships from Starbase.
Farther north lies the Freshwater City public boat ramp and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Freshwater Lock, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.
I flew over the area closest to the port. The land appears stable.
Note that the full 212-square-mile site extends across the entire area visible east of the port
SPACEX: I visited Pecan Island in Louisiana's Vermilion Parish. The 136,000-acre site, owned by ExxonMobil and Vermilion Corporation, is under consideration by SpaceX for their next spaceport.
Vermilion Corporation owns an unused dock on Freshwater Bayou at the mouth of the Gulf of America. This location would allow SpaceX to barge Super Heavy Boosters and Starships from Starbase.
Farther north lies the Freshwater City public boat ramp and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Freshwater Lock, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.
I flew over the area closest to the port. The land appears stable.
Note that the full 212-square-mile site extends across the entire area visible east of the port
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
https://x.com/StarshipGazer/status/2...417446193?s=20
Starship 39 has returned to the production site for loading of the 22 Starlink simulator satellites and final launch preparations after completing final testing at Starbase Massey's test site at T-minus 82 hrs and counting!
Starship 39 has returned to the production site for loading of the 22 Starlink simulator satellites and final launch preparations after completing final testing at Starbase Massey's test site at T-minus 82 hrs and counting!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
https://x.com/JoeTegtmeyer/status/20...588801191?s=20
Something I haven’t heard discussed very much is how the new @SpaceX Starship V3 has been configured for on-orbit refueling … something that is absolutely essential for Starship to conduct any mission beyond LEO, and arguably a critical capability for any significant operational missions in various earth orbits as well.
According to SpaceX, “Four docking drogues have also been added on the leeward side of the vehicles to enable docking with other Starships, along with propellant feed connections for ship-to-ship propellant transfer.”
So, how will this system work?
SpaceX has adapted its tried and true DragonEye System from the Dragon capsule for Starship operations into housings under each of the four probe and rogue enclosures on the leeward side of the ship. (See images)
These DragonEye navigation sensors support autonomous rendezvous operations and leverage proven flight heritage from the Dragon spacecraft’s successful dockings with the International Space Station. These have undergone dedicated testing to validate their performance in the Starship configuration.
Flight 12 will be the first time a Starship has launched with this system, although it won’t be until later flights when a rendezvous in orbit will be demonstrated.
The DragonEye LIDAR units are integrated into the forward avionics and structural sections of Starship, positioned to provide an unobstructed line of sight during approach maneuvers.
On Starship V3, this aligns with the addition of four docking drogues and associated propellant feed connections located on the leeward side of the vehicle. These features enable secure mating with another Starship, along with the necessary umbilical interfaces for propellant transfer.
The sensor suite is recessed or flush-mounted within protective bays or fairings, similar to its placement on Dragon, ensuring it remains shielded during atmospheric flight while deployable or exposed in orbit.
Here’s how it would work in practice:
Both tanker (chaser) and receiver (target/depot) Starships carry the sensors, allowing flexible role assignment in paired operations.
In the orbital refueling scenario, one Starship assumes the active “chaser” role (typically the tanker), while the other serves as the passive “receiver” (target or depot).
Rendezvous Phase: The chaser employs its DragonEye flash LIDAR sensor to emit laser pulses toward the receiver. Retro-reflectors (corner-cube arrays) on the receiver enhance signal return, enabling precise three-dimensional range, bearing, and relative attitude measurements in real time. This provides centimeter-level accuracy for safe closure from kilometers to meters.
Approach and Alignment: Data from DragonEye is fused with other navigation inputs (e.g., star trackers and RF systems) to guide autonomous thruster firings, ensuring alignment of the docking interfaces.
Docking and Transfer: Once within close proximity, the chaser’s docking probe engages the receiver’s drogue, achieving a hard mate. Propellant transfer then occurs via a pressure-differential system through the integrated umbilicals, with settling thrusters used to manage microgravity fluid dynamics.
Symmetry and Redundancy: Because both vehicles share identical sensors, software, and docking hardware, the system supports bidirectional capability if roles reverse. Post-docking, the connection is released after transfer is complete.
This architecture draws directly from Dragon’s operational success, scaled for Starship’s larger size and cryogenic propellant handling requirements.
I suspect this capability will not only be tested and demonstrated in future Starship flights later this year and throughout 2027, but it may be part of the upcoming @NASAArtemis III test and demo mission to ensure Starship and the HLS lunar lander will be ready for Artemis IV landing on the moon in 2028.
Something I haven’t heard discussed very much is how the new @SpaceX Starship V3 has been configured for on-orbit refueling … something that is absolutely essential for Starship to conduct any mission beyond LEO, and arguably a critical capability for any significant operational missions in various earth orbits as well.
According to SpaceX, “Four docking drogues have also been added on the leeward side of the vehicles to enable docking with other Starships, along with propellant feed connections for ship-to-ship propellant transfer.”
So, how will this system work?
SpaceX has adapted its tried and true DragonEye System from the Dragon capsule for Starship operations into housings under each of the four probe and rogue enclosures on the leeward side of the ship. (See images)
These DragonEye navigation sensors support autonomous rendezvous operations and leverage proven flight heritage from the Dragon spacecraft’s successful dockings with the International Space Station. These have undergone dedicated testing to validate their performance in the Starship configuration.
Flight 12 will be the first time a Starship has launched with this system, although it won’t be until later flights when a rendezvous in orbit will be demonstrated.
The DragonEye LIDAR units are integrated into the forward avionics and structural sections of Starship, positioned to provide an unobstructed line of sight during approach maneuvers.
On Starship V3, this aligns with the addition of four docking drogues and associated propellant feed connections located on the leeward side of the vehicle. These features enable secure mating with another Starship, along with the necessary umbilical interfaces for propellant transfer.
The sensor suite is recessed or flush-mounted within protective bays or fairings, similar to its placement on Dragon, ensuring it remains shielded during atmospheric flight while deployable or exposed in orbit.
Here’s how it would work in practice:
Both tanker (chaser) and receiver (target/depot) Starships carry the sensors, allowing flexible role assignment in paired operations.
In the orbital refueling scenario, one Starship assumes the active “chaser” role (typically the tanker), while the other serves as the passive “receiver” (target or depot).
Rendezvous Phase: The chaser employs its DragonEye flash LIDAR sensor to emit laser pulses toward the receiver. Retro-reflectors (corner-cube arrays) on the receiver enhance signal return, enabling precise three-dimensional range, bearing, and relative attitude measurements in real time. This provides centimeter-level accuracy for safe closure from kilometers to meters.
Approach and Alignment: Data from DragonEye is fused with other navigation inputs (e.g., star trackers and RF systems) to guide autonomous thruster firings, ensuring alignment of the docking interfaces.
Docking and Transfer: Once within close proximity, the chaser’s docking probe engages the receiver’s drogue, achieving a hard mate. Propellant transfer then occurs via a pressure-differential system through the integrated umbilicals, with settling thrusters used to manage microgravity fluid dynamics.
Symmetry and Redundancy: Because both vehicles share identical sensors, software, and docking hardware, the system supports bidirectional capability if roles reverse. Post-docking, the connection is released after transfer is complete.
This architecture draws directly from Dragon’s operational success, scaled for Starship’s larger size and cryogenic propellant handling requirements.
I suspect this capability will not only be tested and demonstrated in future Starship flights later this year and throughout 2027, but it may be part of the upcoming @NASAArtemis III test and demo mission to ensure Starship and the HLS lunar lander will be ready for Artemis IV landing on the moon in 2028.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
Ships sailing from Australia for the Starship landing zone.
https://x.com/mcrs987/status/2055904631541092602?s=20
Alright we're doing this again, I guess. First of two vessels,
Offshore supplier has just departed en route to the ship LZ w/ an ETA of May 20th
Alright we're doing this again, I guess. First of two vessels,
Offshore supplier has just departed en route to the ship LZ w/ an ETA of May 20th
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 1,165
From: Central UK
What bizarre (mis)use of language - what can't they speak english? What is "on-orbit"? Do they not mean "in orbit? Then why not say so?
And Starship "leverages" tanker vehicles does it? What the heck is that supposed to mean? It uses them? Then why not say so instead of using a ridiculous gobbledegook term?
And Starship "leverages" tanker vehicles does it? What the heck is that supposed to mean? It uses them? Then why not say so instead of using a ridiculous gobbledegook term?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
STARSHIP FLIGHT 12: A 24 hour delay. No earlier than May 20th at 22:30 UTC.
Weather forecast for the 20th is poor so a further delay is expected.
Weather forecast for the 20th is poor so a further delay is expected.
Joined: Oct 2004
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 454
Likes: 134
From: Norfolk, UK
Apologies! It's floating soon
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
…………….
https://x.com/mcrs987/status/2056163777272295660?s=20
All four ocean assets supporting Starship and Superheavy recovery operations are now outbound. Offshore Supplier and Offshore Surveyor for Ship, Hayden and Percival for Superheavy.
All four ocean assets supporting Starship and Superheavy recovery operations are now outbound. Offshore Supplier and Offshore Surveyor for Ship, Hayden and Percival for Superheavy.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 23
From: Albuquerque USA
SpaceX now saying the earliest flight 12 launch date is May 21.
Of the two Indian Ocean ships mentioned, ShipAtlas shows Offshore Supplier underway in a plausible direction to the impact site, but Offore Surveyor has just been moving about near port at Exmouth.
I've not yet spotted the two Booster asset vessels in plausible motion, but they don't need so much time to get where they need to go.
Of the two Indian Ocean ships mentioned, ShipAtlas shows Offshore Supplier underway in a plausible direction to the impact site, but Offore Surveyor has just been moving about near port at Exmouth.
I've not yet spotted the two Booster asset vessels in plausible motion, but they don't need so much time to get where they need to go.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
Starship and Super Heavy V3 have moved to the pad for final testing and preparations for launch, now fully stacked. Launch window opens tomorrow Thursday, May 21st.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,662
Likes: 7,348
From: Peripatetic
https://x.com/spacex/status/2057293620676272336?s=20
watch starship's twelfth flight test.
the 90-minute test window opens at 5:30 p.m. Ct with live coverage starting ~45 minutes before liftoff.
Weather is currently 55% favorable for liftoff → https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12
watch starship's twelfth flight test.
the 90-minute test window opens at 5:30 p.m. Ct with live coverage starting ~45 minutes before liftoff.
Weather is currently 55% favorable for liftoff → https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12
Joined: Nov 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 108
Likes: 86
From: Brisbane
Just a quickie 'time, clock UTC' thing.
Being here in Aus, in the future
Our days start before everyone else, so it gets to be confusing when launch dates and particularly times, occur.
I use Edge (Win11) I don't use Chrome, but it works fine for me on Edge. I found a nice simple extension called GMT/UTC clock.
It sits on the top right of my windows, next to Favorites and other stuff like that. It is Green in colour so easy to see.
So when I need to know the Date and Time in UTC, I simply move my mouse over it and 1 click. A small box pops up (no huge overlaying window), showing me all I need to know. No adverts, no reminders, no pop ups - nice and simple...
Might be useful for people overseas.
GMT/UTC Clock - Chrome Web Store
Being here in Aus, in the future
Our days start before everyone else, so it gets to be confusing when launch dates and particularly times, occur.I use Edge (Win11) I don't use Chrome, but it works fine for me on Edge. I found a nice simple extension called GMT/UTC clock.
It sits on the top right of my windows, next to Favorites and other stuff like that. It is Green in colour so easy to see.
So when I need to know the Date and Time in UTC, I simply move my mouse over it and 1 click. A small box pops up (no huge overlaying window), showing me all I need to know. No adverts, no reminders, no pop ups - nice and simple...
Might be useful for people overseas.
GMT/UTC Clock - Chrome Web Store
Joined: Nov 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 108
Likes: 86
From: Brisbane
It must be nice to sit back in one's recliner chair to watch Space history going forward, expecting it to be the most interesting part in one's day.
But when it doesn't go as - you - wanted, it must be a bummer of one's morning...
Maybe planting some petunias might be more interesting...?
A bit disingenuous to go 'Oh Hum' IMO.
Lots of dosh and pressure on a massive scale to see these launch events.
But when it doesn't go as - you - wanted, it must be a bummer of one's morning...
Maybe planting some petunias might be more interesting...?
A bit disingenuous to go 'Oh Hum' IMO.
Lots of dosh and pressure on a massive scale to see these launch events.
Joined: Oct 2004
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 454
Likes: 134
From: Norfolk, UK
Not sure how an innocent "Ho-hum" got interpreted as a lack of interest - staying up until 0045L on a school night not as trivial an undertaking as it used to be
New everything so no real surprise that one part of that long and complex chain failed. Did sound like they were having issues retracting the service arm on the feed.
Another late night beckons!
Musk said on social media that the delay was caused by a malfunctioning hydraulic pin on part of the launch tower.
"If that can be fixed tonight, there will be another launch attempt tomorrow at 5:30 CT [22:30 GMT]," he added.
"If that can be fixed tonight, there will be another launch attempt tomorrow at 5:30 CT [22:30 GMT]," he added.
Another late night beckons!