Notice they filled in the heat tiles with some type of epoxy/clay instead of replacing these damaged tiles. Indicator Ship 25 probably isn't expected to survive reentry.

I don't expect it to survive launch. 😁

With dedicated marine notices published just a few hours ago for Starship Flight Test 2, I've put it all again on a google my maps. Once temporary flight restrictions are released I'll put those here as well.


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Not sure why we have no like button in this sub-forum!

I concur, IFMU! ORAC has been doing a fine job of keeping us space aficionados up-to-date.

- Ed

🚨Ship 25 move alert🚨
Two SPMTs with counterweights and transportation couplers were moved to the Rocket Garden ahead of the last rollout of Ship 25!!!


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Elon Musk…. NOTAM’d window is Friday 8th- Wednesday 13th Sept.

Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval.

(video of Fully stacked Starship on the launch pad at Starbase)


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I was watching the NSF live feed of this last night. They seemed to think that Starship would need to be destacked to fit the FTS (detonaters) before restacking and load testing. So maybe not quite as ready to go as Musk is saying.

Lots of people compare #Starship to the Soviet Union's N1 and wonder if @SpaceX has fallen into a similarly flawed design that plagued the N1? Why did they choose so many engines? Will it continue to suffer a similar fate over and over like the N1 or is there something inherently different?

Today we answer those questions and compare the two most powerful rockets ever made, from different sides of the world and from completely different eras to figure out how they’re similar and perhaps more importantly, how they’re different.

Music by Everyday Astronaut: "Trans-lunar Coast" and "CRYO" available wherever you stream

Article version with links and sources - https://everydayastronaut.com/starship-vs-n1/​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​https://youtu.be/AgqZMK22LEk?si=dUjstiHWSitNHCVN

Just in from the FAA, according to @SciGuySpace.

The wording suggests that SpaceX has already received the list of corrective actions.

21 days ago, the FAA said:

"When a final mishap report is approved, it will identify the corrective actions SpaceX must make,"


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🤔It appears the 4ft manifold connecting the 3 larger water tanks for the Booster Bidet system may have been cut away and removed.

This is very odd and if true means the system is temporarily out of commission.

Next flyover from @RGVaerialphotos will confirm …..

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FAA closes Starship mishap investigation from Booster 7/Ship 24's test flight. Following was emailed out by the FAA:

"The FAA has closed the SpaceX Starship Super Heavy mishap investigation.

"The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023, mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent mishap reoccurrence.

"Corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and the application of additional change control practices."

"The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica. SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch."

​​​​​​​Additional background on the release:

The FAA oversaw the SpaceX-led investigation to ensure the company complied with its FAA-approved mishap plan and other regulatory requirements.

The FAA was involved in every step of the mishap investigation and granted NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board official observer status.

The mishap investigation report contains proprietary data and U.S Export Control information and is not available for public release.

Elon Musk:

Congrats to SpaceX for completing & documented the 57 items required by the FAA for Flight 2 of Starship!

Worth noting that 6 of the 63 items refer to later flights.


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Does this mean a launch is imminent?

Strictly speaking it just means that there is nothing left as a consequence of IFT 1 which will preclude IFT 2 getting a licence.

Hiwever, with the changes involved, including in the flight plan, the FAA still require them to go through the licence approval process. Just depends how long that takes. Probably NLT the end of the month.

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Might have to spin KSC off onto its own thread….

SpaceX is proposing a massive expansion!

SpaceX’s proposed action is the expansion of its Roberts Road Operations Area, upgrade of utilities, & widening Saturn Causeway.

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The acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday the agency could advance a launch license as early as next month for the SpaceX Starship rocket after a prior one exploded following a test launch in April.

"We're working well with them and have been in good discussions. Teams are working together and I think we're optimistic sometime next month," acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.

SpaceX would still need a separate environmental approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before a launch. Trottenberg did not say how long that might take.

​​​​​​​https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...er-2023-09-13/

​​​​​​​2-3 more weeks before SpaceX will complete FAA compliance.

Engine has been chilled to temperature expected after a long space exposure en-route to lunar orbit.

​​​​​​​Raptor engine demonstration of a descent burn to the lunar surface.