We Launched Our Flight 3 Patch? While Waiting For a Lift!

NASASpaceflight・2 minutes read

SpaceX is preparing Ship 28 for a wet dress rehearsal campaign with booster work done and a full stack creation. The timeline for completion is estimated around late February to early March, discussing engine swaps, static fire tests, and stacking details.

Insights

Ship 28 is undergoing preparations for a wet dress rehearsal campaign with subsequent booster work.
Live commentary is available for the lift of Ship 28, coinciding with the release of IF3 NSF merch.
Concerns over tile loss during re-entry are raised, emphasizing the importance of quality control in tiling installation.
Collaboration between SpaceX and NASA on heat shield development is highlighted, showcasing the benefits of shared expertise.
Speculation on Starship's future iterations, including potential extensions and payload bay enhancements, is discussed, focusing on increasing capacity and efficiency.

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Recent questions

What is a wet dress rehearsal campaign?
A simulation of launch conditions without liftoff.

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Summary

00:00

SpaceX Ship 28 Prepares for Launch

Ship 28 is being prepared for a wet dress rehearsal campaign.
Work has been done on the ship after issues with the ship and booster.
A full stack is being created with Ship 28.
Live commentary is being provided for the lift of Ship 28.
The release of IF3 NSF merch is happening during the stream.
Engine swaps have been done, possibly requiring a static fire test.
The ship has been stacked on a booster 17 times during the day and 13 times at night.
Ship 26 is considered by many as having no clear purpose.
Ship 26 may be used for testing new techniques or as a test tank.
Elon Musk telling Kanye West about a timeline for SpaceX activities may be overly ambitious given current delays.

15:13

SpaceX's Starship Completion Timeline and Innovations

The timeline for completion is estimated to be around February 29th to the beginning of March, possibly a week longer than Elon Musk's Twitter announcement.
The completion timeframe is suggested to be four to five weeks, with three weeks seeming unrealistic.
The possibility of meeting the schedule is discussed, with the completion of tasks like prop load, wet dress, and final vehicle preparations.
A static fire test is mentioned, which can be done within a couple of days, but tile repairs may be needed afterward.
The estimated completion time is personally suggested to be around four weeks, aligning with a month away.
The weight of a ship is humorously compared to 20,000 Taylor Swifts, prompting calculations to verify the accuracy.
The discussion shifts to the potential of a Starship variant with nine engines, including three sea level and six vacuum engines.
The optimization process for Starship design is mentioned, with a possible V3 stretch ship in the future.
The control mechanism for the Chopsticks, used for stacking and potentially catching boosters, is explained to be autonomous.
The status of ship 28's payload door is clarified, indicating that it is not welded shut but held closed by locks until ready for flight.

29:50

Tile Inspection and Efficiency in Space Travel

1. OBS inspections on flight day two compared with the belly shot of the orbital lifted in the Vib in the transfer aisle to ensure tile presence.
2. Verification of every single tile or comparison if multiple tiles present to determine clearance for entry.
3. Additional TPS test and check one day before re-entry to ensure clearance for landing.
4. Concern over tile loss during re-entry, referencing ship 25's experience with significant tile loss.
5. Focus on quality control, particularly in tiling installation, cleanliness, and stacking inside with closed doors for improved tile retention during Ascent.
6. Collaboration between SpaceX and NASA on heat shield development, leveraging NASA's experience in the field.
7. Speculation on potential payload insertion post-successful orbital insertion, with considerations for mass simulator or starlink satellites.
8. Discussion on FTS arming process, involving manual pin removal for arming and subsequent safe during descent.
9. Explanation on Raptor engine efficiency on Mars, with sea level Raptor working in Mars' atmosphere and vacuum Raptor optimized for space.
10. Clarification on Mars' atmosphere being near vacuum, enhancing vacuum Raptor performance compared to sea level Raptor.

45:11

SpaceX's Starbase Prepares for Ship Lift

The atmosphere on Earth is thin at high altitudes, close to a vacuum, making vacuum-optimized engines more efficient than sea-level engines.
Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to extend the tanks and payload bay of their ships to accommodate more people, but changing the width of the ship would require a complete overhaul.
The current payload bay volume is around 1,000 cubic meters, larger than the ISS, with potential for expansion.
Smaller heat shield tiles are preferred for better plasma protection and flexibility around curves, possibly using pinned tiles for specific areas.
Workers at SpaceX's Starbase are preparing for a lift, with the ship being raised slightly and blocks removed for safety.
The Chopsticks, used for lifting and catching boosters, can move quickly into position for catches, with gravity aiding their descent.
The speed of the Chopsticks during catches may differ from lifts, with the possibility of using smaller, faster arms for catching.
Gravity assists in the Chopsticks' descent, making it more energy-efficient compared to lifting.
The construction of a second tower at Starbase is confirmed by Elon Musk, likely to begin after the third flight.
The anticipation for the lift at Starbase is high, with workers making final inspections and adjustments before stacking the ship on Booster 10.

01:00:10

"Full Stack Testing and Stacking Speculation"

The discussion revolves around the full stack and its relevance to the article's theme.
Speculation arises about testing the ship's connections by lowering it on a stand.
The importance of ensuring proper connections before stacking is highlighted.
Alex's theories are praised for their logical sense.
The timeline for testing and stacking the full stack is questioned.
The process of lowering the stack onto the stand and engaging clamps is anticipated.
The significance of stabilizers and pins in determining the lifting process is emphasized.
The potential for a Giga Press to create a large piece for Starship is debated.
Various fun payload ideas for Starship, including a Cybertruck or a Tesla Semi, are discussed.
Despite SpaceX's actions, the release of IF3 merch is confirmed to proceed as planned.

01:14:28

Excitement builds for Starship flight patch.

Workers at Starbase are constantly refreshing NASA's space.com on their phones, waiting for a patch release before the ship can lift off.
The release was initially planned for a full stack event, but delays have pushed it back.
The third flight patch for Starship has been designed by Poine and is now available on shop.nasaspaceflight.com.
The patch continues the storytelling theme of liftoff and flight, now focusing on the ship in flight.
The patch is available on various merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, and water bottles.
The patch manufacturing method is similar to the second patch in terms of quality and thickness.
The patch won't animate like the transition seen on the stream.
Many viewers have purchased the patch and shared their excitement and plans for displaying it.
Some viewers collect all patches released, showing enthusiasm for the merchandise.
The coverage includes messages from viewers expressing gratitude and excitement for the patch release.

01:28:43

Pauling's Execution Drives Remarkable Outcomes

Pauling played a crucial role in bringing ideas to fruition, emphasizing the importance of execution.
Brainstorming sessions are essential, but ultimately, Pauling's execution is what leads to remarkable outcomes.
The team is already brainstorming a potential fourth flight due to increasing speed requirements.
Mention of potential inclusion of more fluid ounces in the collection, with a clarification of what "Oz" stands for.
Reference to past events involving ships 25 and 28, highlighting ongoing work on ship 28.
Trevor Snik takes over hosting duties, expressing frustration with the Imperial system and advocating for the metric system.
Discussion on the development of reusable launch vehicles, with mentions of Falcon 9 and other companies like Blue Origin and Landspace.
Mention of numerous Chinese companies working on Falcon-like vehicles, with a focus on Landspace's Juk 3.
Reference to the continuous upgrades and iterations of Falcon 9, indicating a similar trajectory for Starship.
Speculation on the number of versions or iterations Starship may undergo, with examples of significant changes between different ships.

01:45:17

SpaceX Acknowledges Support, Discusses Recovery Challenges

Messages of support and gratitude for the patch purchases are acknowledged.
The store is processing a high volume of support messages due to numerous purchases.
Speculation on the timing of Starship landing attempts and booster catches is discussed.
Estimates for successful recovery attempts for ships and boosters are provided.
The time taken for SpaceX to produce ships and boosters is detailed, with varying timelines.
Challenges in installing Raptors, plumbing, and heat shielding on boosters are highlighted.
The loud noise heard during stacking may have caused potential damage to the ship or booster.
Ship 26 cannot be stacked due to missing stabilizers, likely a structural test article.
Speculation on potential actions with ship 26 and its future is discussed.
The possibility of ship 28 being moved to a suborbital pad for a static fire is considered, but a roll is not expected.

02:02:58

"Starship's Weight and Design Advancements"

The weight of the tiles on the ship is discussed, with the conclusion that while they add weight, it's not significant compared to the overall weight of the vehicle.
The Starship, when fully fueled, weighs around 1,400 metric tons, making the tile weight inconsequential.
Collaboration and inspiration in reusable rocketry designs, like the Starship, are seen as positive for progress in space exploration.
Legal protection for SpaceX's intellectual property, especially against overseas companies like China, is mentioned, with ITAR regulations potentially playing a role.
The design similarities in rockets, like the Falcon 9 and Starship, are attributed to engineering tradeoffs and adherence to the laws of physics.
The potential extension of Starship's length by 10 to 15 meters for version 3 is discussed, with considerations on payload capacity and propellant availability.
The purpose of extending the ship is to increase payload capacity, enable more propellant for further destinations, and potentially allow the ship to reach orbit without the booster's assistance.
The booster's role in providing the necessary push for Starship to reach orbit is highlighted, with the goal of the ship being extended rather than the booster.
The importance of powerful Raptors in reducing burn time and enabling the ship to reach orbit independently is emphasized.
Updates on the status of the ship's preparations for a lift, including the stabilizers being in place and the anticipation of a lift within an hour or so.

02:20:46

"SpaceX Ship 28 Static Fire Protocol"

Ship 28 has static fired twice from subal pad B.
After a wet dress, a minimum of one D stack is needed to arm the flight termination system.
Multiple D stacks may be required after a wet dress rehearsal for thorough checks before launch.
SpaceX needs to submit mishap reports to the FAA for approval.
SpaceX has never attempted a static fire of a full stack unless for a launch attempt.
The ship is held up by a four-point system with ball pins and stabilizers.
The booster is also held by a four-point system with lift points and stabilizers.
The first stack of 420 was done with a crane, which was considered janky.
The Press plate on the ship interfaces pressurization lines with the ship cuti.
Naming of Starships is debated, with suggestions to name cruise ships after shuttles and keep tanker names simple.

02:38:09

Comparing Polaris Dawn to Dragon spacecraft maintenance.

Polaris Dawn is compared to Jared Isaacman's personal Dragon spacecraft.
Crew members are seen inspecting the concrete base at the production site.
The crew is speculated to be filling in cracks or performing maintenance.
Humorous anecdotes about losing tools like a 10 mm socket are shared.
Discussion on the use of Imperial units in aircraft construction.
Speculation on the cleanup of foreign object debris (FOD) for a wet dress rehearsal.
Details on the mishap investigation process led by SpaceX and the FAA.
Uncertainty surrounding the launch date for Starship IF3, leaning towards March.
Explanation of the FAA's role in ensuring safety and proper procedures.
Speculation on the differences between Starship Version 3 and the HLS variant.

02:56:26

"American Angry Starship Speculation and Rocket Thrust"

Angry American mentions Starship Jack Kilt um musical wolves with $5 Super Chat
Discussion about the media button being pressed for fun
Mention of Duramax being both metric and Imperial, with confusion about what Duramax is
Speculation about a forklift or scissor lift seen across the stand
Observation of a CO2 tank possibly blocking the view
Mention of Starship Serenity as a potential cool name
Members picking up patches from the store and positive feedback received
Discussion on rocket thrust to weight ratios, with comparisons to various rockets
Speculation on extending the tower for larger Starship versions
Mention of booster capabilities to reach orbit by itself and potential modifications needed

03:15:35

SpaceX addresses fuel sloshing for engine safety.

SpaceX encountered issues with fuel sloshing in the tank during engine reignition, potentially causing engine failure.
To address the problem, SpaceX added slosh baffles to the tank's bottom, observed after the tank's return from the mega bay.
The baffles aim to prevent excessive fuel movement within the tank during acceleration, aiding engine performance.
During booster 10's roll back for static fire, a vent-like structure was noticed on the liquid oxygen tank, hinting at potential design improvements.
The dynamic nature of the booster's flip during flight poses challenges, including forces from engine blasts and pressure changes affecting fuel states.
Rapid acceleration changes within the tanks can lead to gas-liquid transitions, risking damage due to pressure fluctuations.
SpaceX's learning process during flights, akin to ship flips during SN flights, is crucial for understanding and improving booster performance.
The complexity of Super Heavy's design, with multiple cryogenic fluids and autogenous pressurization, presents unique challenges compared to Falcon 9.
SpaceX's water deluge system during launches, while seemingly inefficient, is a common practice in rocket launches for safety and cooling purposes.
Despite expectations for a lift, SpaceX trolled observers by returning ship 28 to its stand, prompting continued monitoring for potential future lifts.

03:33:20

"Stream Signing Off, Thanks to Team"

Stream signing off due to lack of significant activity
Host Trevor Snic thanking Kevin Michael Reed and Jay for operating the stream, with Gauge on camera support
Encouragement to check out Starbase live for ongoing content viewing opportunities

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