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Starship Development Thread #53
(sh.itjust.works)
submitted
10 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)
by
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works
to
c/spacex@sh.itjust.works
Portions of this thread copied from the Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? IFT-3 is NET Mid-March, and after completion of the IFT-2 mishap investigation. Candidate vehicles are Booster 10 and Ship 28.
- When previous launch? (IFT-2)? Booster 9 and Ship 25 launched on 2023-11-18.
- What was the result? Successful lift off with minimal pad damage. Successful booster operation with all engines to successful hot stage separation. Booster destroyed by AFTS after attempted boost-back. Ship fired all engines to near orbital speed then destroyed by AFTS. No re-entry attempt.
- Was IFT-2 a complete failure? No. As part of an iterative test programme, many milestones were achieved. Perfection is neither expected nor desired at this stage.
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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 52 | Starship Dev 51 | Starship Dev 50 | Starship Dev 49 | Starship Dev 48
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-01-12)
Status
Road Closures
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2024-02-15 08:00 | 2024-02-15 20:00 | Closure revoked. |
| Backup Date | 2024-02-16 08:00 | 2024-02-16 20:00 | Closure scheduled. |
| Backup Date | 2024-02-20 08:00 | 2024-02-12 20:00 | Possible closure. |
Up to date as of 2024-02-19
Vehicle Status
As of 2024-02-20
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S24 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | April 20th (IFT-1): Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| S25 | Atlantic Ocean | Destroyed | Mostly successful launch and stage separation |
| S26 | Rocket Garden | Mysterious | Static fire Oct. 20. No fins or heat shield, multiple mysterious changes. Completed 3 cryo tests, latest on Oct 10. |
| S28 | Suborbital test stand | Awaiting testing | Static fired Dec 29th. Stacked on B10 on Feb 13th. Partial WDR conducted Feb 14th and 16th. Destacked Feb 18th. Spin prime Feb 26th. |
| S29 | High Bay | Pending engine install | 3x cryo |
| S30 | High Bay | Pending engine install | 2x cryo: Jan 3rd and Jan 5th |
| S31 | High Bay | Aft flaps installed | |
| S32 | Rocket Garden | Resting | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
| S33-34 | Build Site | Parts spotted | To be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2 |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B7 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| B9 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Successfully launched, destroyed during Boost back attempt. |
| B10 | Megabay 1 | Awaiting testing | Static fired Dec 29th. Hotstaging ring installed Jan 26th. Partial WDR conducted Feb 14th and 16th. |
| B11 | Megabay 1 | Finalizing | Completed 2 Cryo tests. |
| B12 | Megabay 1 | Finalizing | Cryo x2 |
| B13 | Megabay 1 | Fully stacked | Chine installation underway |
| B14 | Build Site | Assembly | Assorted parts spotted |
| B15 | Build Site | Assembly | Potential aft end spotted Jan 5th |
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
Yeah, I wonder why they aren't just doing another water-cooled steel plate. Seems to have worked well for IFT-2. Perhaps it is cheaper to build/operate a flame trench, so if the terrain allows one, it is the preferable option?