SpaceX

[Nicolas]

Scott Manley's take on the failed landing. And the birds. And in typical Scott Manley fashion, he made a mini MSc thesis of the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXTIt5WIKoE

[docmordrid]

SN-09 crash FAA case closed...

Jackie Wattles ✓ @jackiewattles (CNN)
Feb 19, 2021
Update on SpaceX's Starship program from the FAA just in: "The FAA closed the investigation of the Feb. 2 SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype mishap today, clearing the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval of license updates." (1/4)
||
"The FAA provided oversight of the SN9 mishap investigation conducted by SpaceX. The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property." (2/4)

https://twitter.com/jackiewattles/st...88686216441857

[Nicolas]

Sounds like a healthy approach by FAA. Let SpaceX do the investigation at their pace (and keep up) plus don't care about someone blowing up his money, as long as he does it without endangering others. Onwards and upwards! And gently downwards too, preferably.

[bknight]

SN-09 crash FAA case closed...

Jackie Wattles ✓ @jackiewattles (CNN)
Feb 19, 2021
Update on SpaceX's Starship program from the FAA just in: "The FAA closed the investigation of the Feb. 2 SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype mishap today, clearing the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval of license updates." (1/4)
||
"The FAA provided oversight of the SN9 mishap investigation conducted by SpaceX. The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property." (2/4)

https://twitter.com/jackiewattles/st...88686216441857

Of course it didn't endanger the public since the guidance is towards SpaceX landing pad.

[docmordrid]

There's been a lot of prep going on at the Super Heavy pad build site, the first booster prototype is being stacked, and now it looks like the launch tower will be going in.

SPadre @SpacePadreIsle
Feb 19, 2021
So stoked ! One of my closest friends just called and said he’s moving down to build some kind of 450’ tall structure at Boca
|
Chris B - NSF @NASASpaceflight
That'll be the huge tower/crane for Super Heavy!

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/...37534909300740

[Trebuchet]

As I've said before, I keep wondering how Mexico feels about the site's proximity to the border if something goes seriously awry!

ETA: The build rate is pretty phenomenal. They've just assembled a new (and spindly looking) crane near the high bay. The launch mount crane will presumably be rather like the twirly cranes used for constructing tall buildings. But they'll have it looking cool!

[cjameshuff]

SN-09 crash FAA case closed...

Jackie Wattles ✓ @jackiewattles (CNN)
Feb 19, 2021
Update on SpaceX's Starship program from the FAA just in: "The FAA closed the investigation of the Feb. 2 SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype mishap today, clearing the way for the SN10 test flight pending FAA approval of license updates." (1/4)
||
"The FAA provided oversight of the SN9 mishap investigation conducted by SpaceX. The SN9 vehicle failed within the bounds of the FAA safety analysis. Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property." (2/4)

https://twitter.com/jackiewattles/st...88686216441857

SN10's been waiting. This attitude that a failure of a highly experimental landing with low probability of success is a "mishap" that must be investigated means they might actually get these things landing faster if they intentionally blew them up at the last second...it makes about as much sense as them investigating the failure of the 7.2 test tank. It's not just a plausible test result, at this stage of development it is the expected one.

[Nicolas]

I doubt the FAA cared too much about why it crashed in the context of preventing that in the future. If SpaceX wants to crash ten of them, go ahead but go ahead safely. So they will have wanted to investigate if there are scenario's where a similar failure could lead to situations that are dangerous to third parties. What if none of the engines relit. What if an engine failed in such a way that it exploded in flight. What if an engine failed during launch. What are the chances of being unable to shut down engines. Etc. I don't think one can blame the FAA too much they want some reassurance before the next time somebody puts a huge tank of highly flammable liquids 10 km up into the air near other people, buildings, and countries. 12 days is not 12 months and I seriously doubt they'd have requested no investigation if the flight termination system had been used instead of the flight termination surface.

[docmordrid]

Let's not forget SN11 is waiting to roll out, SN-15 isn't far behind, and parts up to SN-18 are being photographed by @bocachicagal.

[docmordrid]

Starship SN-10 may fly this week

Mary @BocaChicaGal
Feb 21, 2021
An aft flap has been deployed on SN10. 🔥🚀🔥
@NASASpaceflight
|
Elon Musk ✓ @elonmusk
Good chance of flying this week!

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1363600651712794624

[docmordrid]

BocaChicaGal received a test notice

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/sta...77618537701377

[docmordrid]

Starship SN-10 FAA flight restrictions for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 23-25)...

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/...81725554688006

[docmordrid]

FAA has issued an SN-10 launch license

Christian Davenport ✓ @wapodavenport (Washington Post)
Go for launch: The FAA has granted SpaceX a launch license modification for Starship SN10. So we could see a flight this week as Elon said, pending successful static fire, which could come as early as today.

https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/st...80631961350145

[bknight]

FAA has issued an SN-10 launch license

Christian Davenport ✓ @wapodavenport (Washington Post)
Go for launch: The FAA has granted SpaceX a launch license modification for Starship SN10. So we could see a flight this week as Elon said, pending successful static fire, which could come as early as today.

https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/st...80631961350145

I wish thm well and hope that they correct the previous problems.

[docmordrid]

SN-10

Methane recondenser has started

https://youtu.be/VS6Gz0vJRFE

[Trebuchet]

Scrubbed for today.

[docmordrid]

GSE problems. Try again tomorrow...

[Swift]

GSE problems. Try again tomorrow...

GSE? Ground Support Equipment?

[Trebuchet]

GSE? Ground Support Equipment?

Yes, that's what it usually means.

[Roger E. Moore]

A Falcon 9 booster failed to land after its most recent launch Feb. 15 because of “heat damage” it sustained, but a SpaceX official said he was confident that the boosters can be reused 10 or more times.

https://spacenews.com/spacex-blames-...n-heat-damage/

[bknight]

A Falcon 9 booster failed to land after its most recent launch Feb. 15 because of “heat damage” it sustained, but a SpaceX official said he was confident that the boosters can be reused 10 or more times.

https://spacenews.com/spacex-blames-...n-heat-damage/

Whether it is five or ten launches, that beats the one launch that was the norm until a couple of years ago.

[docmordrid]

SN-10 STATIC FIRE

LabPadre
SN-10 STATIC FIRE LP.jpg

[docmordrid]

SN-10

<headphones>

https://youtu.be/puIQqKBzUKw

[Zartan]

Whether it is five or ten launches, that beats the one launch that was the norm until a couple of years ago.

X number of relaunches is required to justify the economics, open question is what is 'X'. If the recoveries fail too much, then recycling the boosters is not economical. F9 booster recovery scheme is generally very successful so I don't think that particular concern is an issue however, even if sometimes the boosters are lost.
Falcon Heavy central booster they have not managed to recover yet (and the next launch is expendable anyway).

[Trebuchet]

Falcon Heavy central booster they have not managed to recover yet (and the next launch is expendable anyway).

Oh, they got half of one! The expensive half, at that.

[bknight]

X number of relaunches is required to justify the economics, open question is what is 'X'. If the recoveries fail too much, then recycling the boosters is not economical. F9 booster recovery scheme is generally very successful so I don't think that particular concern is an issue however, even if sometimes the boosters are lost.
Falcon Heavy central booster they have not managed to recover yet (and the next launch is expendable anyway).

You may keep up with this tabulation more closely than I, but Googling the heavy results in 3 launches one recovery.

https://www.google.com/search?newwin...client=gws-wiz

Falcon Heavy
Falcon Heavy is a partially reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX. It is derived from the Falcon 9 vehicle and consists of a strengthened Falcon 9 first stage as the center core with two additional Falcon 9-like first stages as strap-on boosters. Wikipedia
Total launches: 3
Launch sites: Kennedy LC-39A
No. boosters: 2
Stages: 2+
Landings: 1 center core landed / 3 attempted; 6 boosters landed / 6 attempted
Height: 70 m (230 ft)
Total thrust: Sea level: 15.2 MN (3,400,000 lbf) Vacuum: 16.4 MN (3,700,000 lbf)

[docmordrid]

>.
Falcon Heavy central booster they have not managed to recover yet (and the next launch is expendable anyway).

The ArabSat 6A booster (FH #2) landed, see attached image - and it was nearly a dead-center bull's-eye. That it was later lost due to high seas had little to do with SpaceX's landing tech. Now a giant robot grabs the bottom of the booster by the launch clamp fixtures and secures it for the trip.

FH launch 2 booster recovery.jpg

Octograbber in action

Octograbber.jpg

Octograbber 2.jpg

[bknight]

The ArabSat 6A booster (FH #2) landed, see attached image - and it was nearly a dead-center bull's-eye. That it was later lost due to high seas had little to do with SpaceX's landing tech. Now a giant robot grabs the bottom of the booster by the launch clamp fixtures and secures it for the trip.

FH launch 2 booster recovery.jpg

So when is the next launch?

[docmordrid]

2 Falcon Heavy Space Force launches coming up

July: US Space Force 44 (USSF-44)

October: US Space Force 52 (USSF-52)

and up to 4 FH's in 2022.

ViaSat, Inmarsat, NASA's Psyche probe, and US Space Force 67.

2024 should see at least 2 NASA Gateway launches; the Power and Propulsion Element + HALO habitat, and a Dragon XL Gateway logistics mission carrying up a Canadarm.

[docmordrid]

WRT SpaceX's sea launch platforms,

First they'll make their own liquid oxygen, then later they'll make liquid methane using wing & solar. One platform may be in limited use by the end of this year.

Starships will fly to the platforms from their launch site, and they'll be stationed world-wide (this has to be a reference to Point-2-Point cargo/crew flights.)

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1364470475620044802

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1364476185359642626

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1364488368994848769