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Starship Development Thread #51
(sh.itjust.works)
submitted
1 year ago* (last edited 11 months ago)
by
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works
to
c/spacex@sh.itjust.works
FAQ
- When is the next Integrated Flight Test (IFT-2)? Booster 9 + Ship 25 launched Saturday, November 18 after slight delay.
- What was the result? Successful lift off with minimal pad damage. Successful booster operation with all engines to successful hot stage separation. Booster destroyed after attempted boost-back. Ship fired all engines to near orbital speed then lost. No re-entry attempt.
- Did IFT-2 Fail? No. As part of an iterative test programme, many milestones were achieved. Perfection is neither expected nor desired at this stage.
- Next launch? IFT-3 expected to be Booster 10, Ship 28 per a recent NSF Roundup. Probably no earlier than Feb 2024. Prerequisite IFT-2 mishap investigation.
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Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 50 | Starship Dev 49 | Starship Dev 48 | Starship Dev 47
Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread
Status
Road Closures
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2023-12-08 16:00 | 2023-12-08 21:00 | Possible Closure |
| Alternative Date | 2023-12-11 08:00 | 2023-12-11 20:00 | Possible Closure |
| Alternative Date | 2023-12-12 08:00 | 2023-12-12 20:00 | Possible Closure |
Up to date as of 2023-12-08
Vehicle Status
As of 2023-12-08
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-S24, 27 | Scrapped or Retired | S20 in Rocket Garden, remainder scrapped. | |
| S24 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | April 20th (IFT-1): Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| S25 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Mostly successful launch and stage separation |
| S26 | Rocket Garden | Testing | Static fire Oct. 20. No fins or heat shield, plus other changes. Completed 3 cryo tests, latest on Oct 10. |
| S28 | High Bay | Pending heatshield completion | Cryo test on July 28. Raptor install began Aug 17. Completed 2 cryo tests. |
| S29 | High Bay | Fully stacked, completed 3x cryo tests, awaiting engine install. | |
| S30 | High Bay | Under construction | Fully stacked |
| S31 | Rocket Garden | Fully stacked, awaiting flaps | Stacking in progress. |
| S32 | High Bay | Under construction | Stacking in progress. |
| S33-34 | Build Site | Being scrapped | To be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2 |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-B7 & B8 | Scrapped or Retired | B4 in Rocket Garden, remainder scrapped. | |
| B7 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| B9 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Successfully launched, destroyed during Boost back attempt. |
| B10 | Rocket garden | Engine install? | Completed 4 cryo tests. Moved to Massey's on Sep 11, back to Megabay Sep 20. |
| B11 | Megabay | Finalizing | Completed 2 Cryo tests. |
| B12 | Megabay | Finalizing | Appears complete, except for raptors, hot stage ring, and cryo testing. |
| B13 | Megabay | Stacking | Lower half mostly stacked. |
| B14+ | Build Site | Assembly | Assorted parts spotted through B15. |
Resources
- LabPadre Channel | NASASpaceFlight.com Channel
- NSF: Booster 7 + Ship X (likely 24) Updates Thread | Most Recent
- NSF: Boca Chica Production Updates Thread | Most recent
- NSF: Elon Starship tweet compilation | Most Recent
- SpaceX: Website Starship page | Starship Users Guide (2020, PDF)
- FAA: SpaceX Starship Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
- FAA: Temporary Flight Restrictions NOTAM list
- FCC: Starship Orbital Demo detailed Exhibit - 0748-EX-ST-2021 application June 20 through December 20
- NASA: Starship Reentry Observation (Technical Report)
- Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
- Production Progress Infographics by @RingWatchers
- Raptor 2 Tracker by @SpaceRhin0
- Acronym definitions by Decronym
- Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Everyday Astronaut: 2022 Elon Musk Interviews, Starbase/Ship Updates | Launch Tower | Merlin Engine | Raptor Engine
The launch pad is good shape:
The fate of S25:
FAA/SpaceX mishap investigation has been triggered. Given that the FTS seems to have worked, and there is minimal damage to the ground infrastructure, I'm hoping that this investigation will be shorter.
Scott Manley investigation report is already completed: Starship & Superheavy Become The Biggest Rocket In Space.... Before Exploding
The picture of the nose cone falling is a really good shot!
Yeah! Props to astroferg for being in the right place at the right time and managing to get that shot. Definitely a unique angle!