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Just said they're still targeting start of launch window ~2200UTC. Wx looks good.
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Interesting point from Ars...
SpaceX's accomplishment of 25 flights offers an opportunity to step back and take in some context. Although everyone focuses on reuse, SpaceX is still building new second stages for every launch. The task of building so many spaceships in a year is a tall order. While SpaceX's competency with reusing Falcon 9 boosters gets a lot of attention—landing a rocket is still incredible, even after seeing it nearly 400 times—the high-rate manufacturing of Falcon 9 upper stages is the secret MVP. It also suggests that the company's goal to build 100 Starships a year is not crazy. |
Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless
(Post 11808524)
Interesting point from Ars...
25 flights in your quote must be to do with falcon 9, as that's the current number of most re-used stage 1 falcon 9 rockets. No idea what "secret MVP" means either. Completely different to Starship isn't it? Looking good for 22:00 UTC. |
Apologies - https://arstechnica.com/space/ ; they do a nice "Rocket report" email if you're into that sort of thing.
25 is indeed F9, but the point they make that I'd not really considered is that they're pumping out 2nd stages at one heck of a rate. T-5. Excited! |
Ship 7 lost.
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Look Up!
(but good catch :-)! |
Interesting, Flights set on En Route Holdings in the Caicos Islands area (23:40 UTC). Obviously debris reentry related outside nominal safety zone.
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Debris re-entry from a different angle.
SpaceX: “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today's flight test to better understand root cause. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.” |
Whoa! Sad day for the first V2 ship.
No official word but it’s looking like the FTS was triggered after the engines dropped out. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....3296941144.png |
Originally Posted by 51bravo
(Post 11808664)
Interesting, Flights set on En Route Holdings in the Caicos Islands area (23:40 UTC). Obviously debris reentry related outside nominal safety zone.
I've seen a map to the NOTAMed areas and these flights seems to be in it. Obviously can't find it at the moment 🙄 |
Engines were dropping 1 by 1, with the non-gimbling RVacs giving a big kick quite possible the sole gimbling one didn't have sufficient authority to keep her on track.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....04252d4ce6.jpg |
At least 6 commercial flights were diverted.
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That was quick - wonder if it's accurate?
Preliminary indication is that we had an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall that was large enough to build pressure in excess of the vent capacity. Apart from obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add fire suppression to that volume and probably increase vent area. Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month. |
kit344
I have seen on FR24 at least three such holding groups (was not sure whether I am allowed to put screeshots into the forum). And some flights continuing. After thinking it twice, I hoped no debris will cross a aircraft flights path over the Atlantic. Wonder where it all came down into FL400 and below - was that area quickly enough cleared from commercial flights? Maybe we will have also some inflight videos from the light show the next days... |
Scott Manley has already published a video on test flight #7, some thoughts related to Aviation Safety included...
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That was quick - wonder if it's accurate? |
Re: How FAA handles sudden debris entering I found this Reuters article:
SpaceX's Starship explodes in flight test, forcing airlines to diverthttps://www.reuters.com/technology/s...st-2025-01-16/ I could not find an actual NOTAM but as a general practice The FAA regularly closes airspace for space launches and reentries, but it can create a "debris response area" to prevent aircraft from entering if the space vehicle experiences an anomaly outside the originally closed zone. Must have been activated on a very short notice. Armed obviously at FAA centers, so very quick reaction once triggered. I wonder how this works at ATC. I am sure the temporary/planned flight restriction zone (TFR) by NOTAM ends before Cuba. Beyond is normally open by default for air traffic and maritime - they cant close everything until Namibia until the ship is in orbit I assume. |
Here we go - flight deck view
https://packaged-media.redd.it/e5cfg...18800&54621c70 if the above doesnt work: https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/co...ks_and_caicos/ |
These videos are not going to help Musk’s case on expanding the landing area for future tests. At least Musk got his input in before the Friday deadline.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/0...awaii-waters/# (Just joking: We all know Musk knows the Trump administration will approve any requests. That’s what he bought them for!) |
VideopaceX showing no signs of slowing down, and are busy already preparing for flight 8, with ship 34 undergoing its first Cryo test at the Masseys Outpost Test Site.
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