SpaceX Static Fires Ship 29 in Preparation for the Fourth Starship Flight
NASASpaceflight・166 minutes read
SpaceX is testing Ship 29 at Starbase, aiming for rapid turnaround and multiple static fires to improve flight cadence and achieve goals. Modifications and testing are ongoing to enhance reliability and efficiency for Starship launches, with a focus on refining landing accuracy and potential future site changes.
Insights
- SpaceX is aiming for rapid turnaround between Starship flights, with potential for multiple static fires and increased flight cadence.
- Progress from previous flights has shown improvements, with hopes for five to six Starship flights this year to meet objectives.
- Post-flight 3, changes are needed for Starship, including control software adjustments and tank vent modifications.
- Starship's design simplicity contributes to cost efficiency, with potential for various payloads and a focus on enhancing launch cadence.
- SpaceX's long-term goal involves a self-sustaining City on Mars, requiring a vehicle like Starship for launching large payloads and planetary exploration within our solar system.
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Recent questions
What is the purpose of SpaceX's Starship flight 4?
SpaceX is conducting Starship flight 4 at Star base to test ship 29 on pad B, with an overpressure notice issued. The tank farm is active, recondensing methane for testing, indicating a static fire with one to six engines expected. This flight aims to gather data for improvements and assess the performance of the vehicle.
How does SpaceX plan to increase launch frequency?
SpaceX aims to increase launch frequency by incorporating lessons from Falcon 9 and Starship operations. The company is considering hardware modifications at launch mounts and potential changes at launch sites like 39a. By streamlining processes and refining testing procedures, SpaceX hopes to achieve a higher launch cadence.
What are the potential uses of Starship according to SpaceX?
Starship could be used for a variety of payloads, offering cost-effective options for private launches. The design simplicity of Starship, with common propellant and engine elements, contributes to cost efficiency. SpaceX envisions Starship not only for missions to the moon and Mars but also for deep space exploration within our solar system.
What are the key considerations for Starship testing and modifications?
SpaceX is focusing on refining landing accuracy, improving attitude control, and enhancing engine reliability for successful re-entry. Post-flight adjustments include control software modifications and tank vent changes. The company is also evaluating the need for catch mechanism modifications and potential changes in attachment points based on visual differences between Starship versions.
How does SpaceX plan to achieve its long-term goals with Starship?
SpaceX's long-term plan involves creating a self-sustaining City on Mars, requiring a vehicle like Starship capable of launching large payloads for eventual self-sufficiency. The company aims to leverage Starship for planetary exploration within our solar system, emphasizing the vehicle's versatility and potential for deep space missions. By focusing on continuous improvements and increasing launch frequency, SpaceX is working towards its ambitious goals for space exploration.
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Summary
00:00
SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight Progression
- SpaceX is preparing for Starship flight 4 at Star base, with ship 29 on pad B and an overpressure notice issued.
- Tank farm is active, recondensing methane for testing, indicating a static fire with one to six engines expected.
- Chris Bergen and Alex discuss the rapid turnaround between flights, potential for multiple static fires, and the need for increased flight cadence.
- Progression from flight 1 to 3 has shown improvements, with hopes for five to six flights this year to achieve goals.
- Alex mentions the need for changes post-flight 3, including control software adjustments and tank vent modifications.
- SpaceX aims for rapid turnaround like Falcon 9, but hardware modifications at launch mounts may be necessary.
- Modifications at 39a launch site may provide insights into future changes at Star base and potential new launch sites.
- Potential use of slick 6 for Starship launches is officially confirmed by the US Air Force, raising questions about future launch site designs.
- Considerations for different launch site designs based on regulations, site-specific needs, and potential for unique configurations at each location.
- Intriguing possibilities for future Starship launches at various sites, with potential for different pad designs and configurations based on specific requirements.
17:16
"Starship Operations at Vandenburg: Enhancing Launch Frequency"
- Vandenburg has potential for Starship operations, with a large facility at Slick 6 possibly accommodating Starship.
- SpaceX is likely planning to increase launch frequency by incorporating lessons from Falcon 9 and Starship operations.
- Starship could be used for a variety of payloads, potentially offering cost-effective options for private launches.
- Starship's design simplicity, with common propellant and engine elements, contributes to cost efficiency.
- Starship's construction involves assembling rings and tanks, making it simpler compared to traditional rockets.
- Starship's testing process involves engine tests to gather data for improvements before finalizing launch preparations.
- Starship's potential for increased launch frequency aligns with SpaceX's goal of enhancing launch cadence.
- Starship's upcoming missions will focus on refining landing accuracy before attempting catch maneuvers.
- Modifications may be needed for catch mechanisms on Starship, possibly requiring changes in attachment points.
- Visual differences between Starship versions may impact catch mechanisms, potentially influencing catch attempts.
32:43
SpaceX reviews Ship 29 for flight control.
- Ship 29 is being reviewed for roll control during flight, with SpaceX still analyzing data.
- Ship 29 is similar to Ship 28, with only subtle differences, and it has been less than 11 days since launch.
- Testing will be conducted first on Ship 29 before any modifications are made based on results.
- Engine chill pipes become active and frosty about 30 minutes before testing, indicating readiness.
- Ship 29 has a payload bay that will not be used for deploying satellites on flight four.
- Multiple ships and boosters are lined up for upcoming orbital flights, with various stages of completion.
- SpaceX may fly out remaining version one ships and boosters based on data from flight tests.
- Booster 11 has been cryo-proofed and is expected at the orbital launch site once preparations are complete.
- FAA's ability to keep up with SpaceX's launch cadence is dependent on resources and mishap investigations.
- SpaceX's development program for Starship involves mishap investigations after each flight, unlike Falcon 9's operational success rate.
49:18
SpaceX's Starship: Mars City and Beyond
- SpaceX's long-term plan involves creating a self-sustaining City on Mars, requiring a vehicle like Starship capable of launching large payloads to Mars for eventual self-sufficiency.
- Starship is designed not just for the moon and Mars but also for deep space exploration, potentially becoming the primary vehicle for planetary exploration within our solar system.
- SpaceX has a history of proving doubters wrong, from landing first-stage boosters to achieving reusability, showcasing the potential for Starship's success.
- The possibility of SpaceX switching from steel to carbon composites for Starship's construction is uncertain, with current focus on perfecting stainless steel vehicles.
- The potential for an expendable Starship variant is considered, leveraging the Super Heavy booster's capabilities for launching heavy payloads into orbit.
- The timeline for Starship test flights and potential milestones, like engine chill visibility, is speculative but based on data, with mid-May as a likely timeframe for significant events.
- Starbase's rapid progression in rocket development and testing activities indicates a dynamic and exciting year ahead, with potential for increased launch cadence and testing frequency.
- Viewers are encouraged to engage with the community and consider turning on gifted memberships for potential benefits and participation in exclusive content.
- Upcoming milestones like engine chill visibility and potential test flights are eagerly anticipated, with viewers engaging in discussions and speculations about SpaceX's progress.
- The potential for Starlink satellite deployment using Starship is discussed, with considerations on volume constraints and mass limitations for maximizing payload capacity.
01:04:52
SpaceX Ship 29 Testing Procedures and Updates
- The next patch is expected soon, as confirmed unofficially.
- The engine chill has commenced, leading up to the static fire test.
- The static fire test is projected to occur around 11:00 to 11:30 PM central time.
- Venting from the ship's header tanks is anticipated before the test.
- SpaceX is swiftly moving into testing with Ship 29.
- Testing procedures for Ship 29 are akin to those for Falcon 9.
- Starship may reduce tests once it accumulates flight experience.
- The TPS is finalized close to launch, with potential tile losses during tests.
- The TPS is crucial for re-entry, with lessons learned from previous flights.
- Starlink deployment may involve a clamshell or chomper-style door mechanism.
01:21:11
"Flight four test success with engine ignition"
- Flight four is anticipated to mirror flight three, with potential adjustments in procedures.
- The primary focus is on completing the in-space burn, enhancing roll control, and omitting satellites.
- Speculation arises on potential changes in plans, including the addition of payloads.
- The objective remains a suborbital trajectory for any payload, likely non-functional.
- Emphasis is placed on improving attitude control and engine reliability for successful re-entry.
- The critical issue in previous flights was attitude control, not engine performance.
- The anticipation is for a successful test with proper attitude control and engine relight.
- The static fire test preparation involves minimal methane usage for safety and environmental reasons.
- The test involves igniting all six Raptors, with a focus on the timing of engine chill and propellant loading.
- The test concludes with successful ignition of all six engines, with visible signs of engine spooling and ignition.
01:38:19
"Vehicle dust, drone, and engine ignition"
- Dust falling from the vehicle during replays is significant
- Discussion on naming the event CP11 or Pony cam
- Reference to the demolished mid Bay and ship 29's location
- Drone spotted near the vehicle, mistaken for a smudge on a screen
- Anticipation for replays showing the dust ship firing its engines
- Member multiview option for replay access
- Verification of three ignitions, possibly six engines ignited
- Duration of ignition estimated at five to six seconds
- Advanced AB testing timing the ignition at four and a half seconds
- Observation of tiles falling off the ship during the test, with minimal impact on overall performance.
01:55:46
SpaceX Ship 29 Testing Progress Summary
- Test program focused on progression and ship 29's performance.
- Possibility of another static fire with ship 29 in the coming days.
- Potential for a deorbit configuration static fire with a single engine.
- Observation of improved heat shield compared to previous versions.
- Acknowledgment of minor tile issues and their solvability.
- Emphasis on the importance of understanding and analyzing the testing process.
- Mention of DET tanking and changes in vehicle hardware.
- Discussion on the number of engines and tiles lost during testing.
- Notable transition towards more refined testing and analysis.
- Speculation on the potential final test on the current stand and future testing locations.
02:13:18
"Rocket pad failure: plume vs concrete pressure"
- Dr. Phil Meer specializes in pad dynamics, rocket plumes, and interactions with regolith and concrete.
- Dr. Meer conducted a study on the Starship launch pad failure, with assistance from citizen scientists providing videos and samples.
- The study resulted in a paper detailing the likely cause of the pad failure, focusing on plume interaction with concrete.
- Contrary to popular belief, the paper suggests the concrete was blown up by pressure from the plume, not a steam explosion.
- The study findings aligned with a previous experiment involving a pressure washer simulating force on concrete.
- The paper's conclusions supported the observations made in the pressure washer experiment.
- The discussion led to considerations of conducting further experiments with a blowtorch or a Raptor engine.
- The ongoing evolution of launch pads, like SpaceX's, indicates future improvements and iterations.
- Expectations for a second tower at the launch pad and potential changes in design for future Starship launches.
- Speculation on the design of a Moon train for lunar exploration, considering the need for rovers and potential rail systems.
02:28:25
Space transportation challenges and solutions discussed.
- Monorail has a single rail, while Maglev has a rail and a magnetic levitation system.
- Mule trains and wagon trains do not have rails.
- Lunar regolith has a static charge, which could pose challenges for a Maglev system on the moon.
- Ingenuity's chief engineer discussed how dust sticks to vehicles due to static charge, which could be a concern with lunar regolith.
- Designing wheels for unknown terrain on Mars, with a hybrid wheel-shovel design for varying ground properties.
- Observations of engine plume scorching on a test burn at Starbase.
- Discussion on the need for two orbital launch mounts for multiple launches per day.
- Speculation on the first Starship with windows, potentially on HLS demo missions.
- Alex's fear of spiders and his method of relocating them instead of killing them.
- Reminder not to DM Alex spiders, but to DM Adrien spiders instead.
02:45:40
Pranking Jack with Instagram and Starship dreams.
- The speaker discusses using Instagram to prank someone named Jack by sending pictures of people damaging their cameras.
- They mention that this prank is common in the photography world and not a new concept.
- The conversation shifts to discussing potential live streams involving guests and prepared questions.
- There is a mention of playing Kerbal Space Program and the challenges faced in building spacecraft.
- Plans are made for a potential Kerbal boot camp stream with the NSF team.
- The conversation delves into the possibility of adding legs to the Starship booster for landing.
- The speaker explains the importance of reducing the dry mass of the vehicle for better performance.
- They express their preference for the booster to land on legs rather than catching mechanisms.
- Speculation arises about potential changes in Starship design in the future, particularly regarding flap geometry.
- The discussion ends with thoughts on what advancements or features they would like to see in the Starship program in 2034, including a focus on the landing mechanism and the presence of a toilet in a Mars base.
03:02:07
"Future Look of HLS Ships and SpaceX"
- Discussion about the renovation of the 39a pad with The Ring Watchers, wanting to see the future look of the pad.
- Desire for a fast forward button to see how HLS ships will look, especially with Booster Version Three.
- Speculation on the second pad having a second tank farm or different features compared to the first.
- Mention of Falcon 9 launches on January 1st in previous years.
- Speculation on the need for a wall between the two towers once both are active.
- Question about the venting of locks during every launch and its purpose.
- Discussion on the possibility of SpaceX developing a new rocket family or propulsion system like nuclear in the future.
- Consideration of nuclear propulsion drawbacks and benefits compared to high-density fuels like methane.
- Debate on the feasibility of warp drive technology and skepticism about its possibility.
- Recommendation to visit the SpaceX site after an eclipse and explore Starbase.
03:19:42
"Replay video released, starling launch ahead"
- A replay video has been released, with the link shared in the chat for viewers to watch the replays from various angles, concluding the commentary for the day's testing.
- The stream will continue with a starling launch later, with shoutouts to various individuals involved, including Dos, Chris B, Jay, Carson, SP Ops, and chat mods, expressing gratitude for their contributions to NSF Go.
