SpaceX's Big Fix: Saving Starship's Heat Shield! Last DeltaIV Heavy!

What about it!?17 minutes read

SpaceX's Starbase sees developments regarding Starship's flight 4 and dismantling of the orbital launch table, while United Launch Alliance plans to retire the Delta IV rocket in favor of the Falcon Heavy and Vulcan Centaur. The final Delta IV Heavy rocket launched successfully on April 9th, marking the end of an era in space exploration and transitioning to new technologies and rockets for future missions.

Insights

  • SpaceX's entry into the space market with the Falcon Heavy led to United Launch Alliance's retirement of the Delta IV, Atlas V rockets, transitioning to the Vulcan Centaur, emphasizing cost-saving manufacturing tech and potential reusability through the SMART system.
  • Stoke Space's Nova rocket, aligned with New Space principles, aims for complete reusability and showcases significant engine advancements and testing progress.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of the mysterious structure at Massey's?

    The mysterious structure at Massey's raises questions about its purpose, hinting at potential developments or activities in the area.

  • What developments are happening regarding the flight 4 of Starship at SpaceX's Starbase?

    SpaceX's Starbase is seeing developments regarding the flight 4 of Starship, indicating progress and advancements in the spacecraft's testing and preparation for future missions.

  • Why did United Launch Alliance decide to retire the Delta IV rocket?

    United Launch Alliance decided to retire the Delta IV rocket due to the entry of SpaceX into the market, offering the Falcon Heavy at a significantly lower cost, leading to a strategic shift in rocket offerings.

  • What advancements are being made in Ship 29's heat tile replacement?

    Progress is being made on Ship 29's heat tile replacement, with new tiles resembling the old ones, showcasing improvements and maintenance efforts in the spacecraft's design.

  • How did the final Delta IV Heavy rocket launch conclude its chapter in spaceflight history?

    The final Delta IV Heavy rocket launch faced a delay due to an issue with a nitrogen pump but successfully took off on April 9th, marking the end of an era in space exploration with the closure of the Delta IV rocket program.

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Summary

00:00

SpaceX's Starbase: Recent Developments and Progress

  • Booster 11 continues work after a static fire, with more testing anticipated soon.
  • Ship 29 experiences further heat tile losses.
  • A mysterious structure appears at Massey's, raising questions about its purpose.
  • The Delta IV Heavy finally launches.
  • Starlink captures a solar eclipse.
  • SpaceX's Starbase sees developments regarding the flight 4 of Starship.
  • The orbital launch table undergoes dismantling and replacement of components.
  • Workers at the Orbital Tank Farm connect new horizontal tanks, with signs of venting observed.
  • Vaporizers are installed to pressurize propellant tanks, replacing water-based heat exchangers.
  • Progress is made on Ship 29's heat tile replacement, with new tiles resembling the old ones.

11:56

"SpaceX Retires Delta IV, Launches Falcon"

  • United Launch Alliance decided to retire the Delta IV rocket due to the entry of SpaceX into the market, offering the Falcon Heavy at a significantly lower cost.
  • The retirement led ULA to phase out both the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets, transitioning to the new Vulcan Centaur, which incorporates cost-saving manufacturing technology and potential reusability through the SMART system.
  • The final Delta IV Heavy rocket was launched to close out its chapter in spaceflight history, carrying the Advanced Orion satellite, rumored to be one of the largest ever constructed.
  • The launch of the final Delta IV Heavy rocket faced a delay due to an issue with a nitrogen pump, but successfully took off on April 9th, marking the end of an era in space exploration.
  • Stoke Space, following the New Space ideology, is developing the Nova rocket, aiming for 100% reusability from its inception, with impressive advancements in engine technology and testing.
  • The total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8th was captured from Earth and space, with SpaceX releasing footage from a Starlink satellite, offering a unique perspective of the celestial event.
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