Starship News

[IXLR8]

I've watched the video of the "Catch" several times now, and it's more impressive each time I see it!!!!

Even more impressive, I saw a post saying that the booster landed within 3cm of it's target on the arms. I've only seen that info in one place and not directly from SpaceX so I don't know how accurate that is. But if it is even close to accurate... that is amazing!!

 

[IXLR8]

Starship flight 5- Looks like a few of the outer engines on the booster suffered some minor overheating and aerodynamic effects that caused a few of the nozzles to warp. Musk says it is an easy fix. One of the landing pins got bent a little bit. On one of the aerodynamic 'fins', it's metal covering got ripped off somewhere along the way and they will need to figure out what happened with that. The Booster has been moved back to the "Mega-bay" for inspection. Lots of charring on the Launch Mount, not sure how much damage was done. Same thing with the quick disconnect fueling arm. Launch Mount suffered damage on both take-off and landing.
Starship flight 6- Reportedly when SpaceX received the launch license for flight 5, they also got the license for flight 6 approved as mission parameters will be basically the same. The Booster for flight 6 is ready to go, pending any modifications they might want to make after inspecting the Booster from flight 5. The StarShip is having all it's heat shield tiles replaced and will be the hold up for flight 6. Guesses are that flight 6 will happen before the end of November.

 

[IXLR8]

I found this video which answers lots of questions and has some good images.

 

[EddieWalker]

Are these tests part of the plan for rescuing the stranded people in the Space Station?

I'm very impressed with what they have done so far, but it doesn't seem like they are working on the actual rescue.

 

[IXLR8]

Are these tests part of the plan for rescuing the stranded people in the Space Station?

I'm very impressed with what they have done so far, but it doesn't seem like they are working on the actual rescue.

No, The rescue is already planned and in motion. They will be using the Falcon rocket not Starship. The last Falcon rocket was sent up to the space station with only 2 astronauts rather than the usual 4. So that when it returned in February they would have room for the 2 stranded astronauts.

 

[EddieWalker]

I didn't realize there where different rockets.

Is there one for people, and is the one that just took off used for something different? What's its purpose?

 

[IXLR8]

I didn't realize there where different rockets.

Is there one for people, and is the one that just took off used for something different? What's its purpose?

The smaller Falcon rockets are used to launch the Starlink satellites, presently there are more than 5000 Starlink satellites in Low Earth Orbit, not all are active. The Falcon rockets are also used to transport equipment, supplies and people to the Space Station. The Falcon rocket is also used by other governments to launch their satellites into orbit. The Falcon rockets have even been used by Bezos to launch some of his "Project Kuiper" internet satellites, which is going to be competition for Starlink. The Falcon Heavy, it has two boosters, just launched a $5B satellite for NASA that is heading to one of Jupiters moons, it should be there in 2030. A few weeks ago a group of 4 billionaires hired a Falcon rocket to take them into space, do a short space walk and then return.
The StarShip rocket is a huge rocket that is going to be used to get folks to the Moon and to eventually colonize Mars. It is also going to launch the next generation of Starlink satellites that are too large to be launched with the Falcon rocket. They will enable faster internet speeds with better Cell phone to Satellite communications.
Both the Falcon rocket and the Starship/Booster are designed to be reusable to save costs, hence the Booster catch we saw last week. I think one of the older Falcon rockets has been used at least 15 times.

 

[sd455dan]

WoW booster 13 is heading to the launch mount already.

SpaceX is hitting the accelerator peddle again. Only nine days after catching flight 5 booster.

NSF footage

Edit:
Today- High Power booster 13 engine firing test

Launch 6 possible within the next 2-3 weeks???

 

[IXLR8]

Starship flight 6 launch seems to have two guesses as to launch date. Supposedly the internal goal is for Nov 11. The other date being discussed is Nov 23 which is SpaceX's president Gwen Shotwells birthday. Some folks are reporting that Flight 6 is also waiting FAA approval. Other have said Fight 6 was approved at the same time as Flight 5. As mentioned, the booster just had its static fire test, have not see a report on if it was deemed successful or not. Starship for flight 6 has already had its static fire test done. The question is, will SpaceX update all the heat shield tiles on the ship for flight 6 to the ones they used on flight 5, or will they just use the ones that are already installed? They are replacing some critical tiles and some testing tiles. This may be a key for a Nov 11 or Nov 23 launch.
Also discussed, but still unknown, is for Starship going for a 'catch' on flight 7.
Saw today that SpaceX only has approval for 6 flights per year from TX. SpaceX is looking to address this and to finish launch tower in FL.

 

[IXLR8]

Starship flight 6 is scheduled to launch Nov 18 at 1700 EST (5pm). Flight 6 was approved by the FAA when Flight 5 was approved, so approvals are not an issue. Flight path/profile will be the same as flight 5. Flight 6 will attempt a vacuum engine relight during the coast phase of the Starship. Upon re-entry, the Starship will enter the atmosphere at a higher than normal angle to test the limits of the heat shields and the flap control. The afternoon launch is timed so that Starship will land in the ocean in the day light to get better images of the 'landing'.