SpaceX Preparing Starship Five

[rockytopva]

Earliest launch opportunity as early as Tuesday.

1. Currently preparing the tower to catch the spacecraft
2. Will be looking especially at the tile and heat shields

"Tiles are about twice as strong that were on the last flight. We want to put secondary structure that offer a blade of protection so that if a tile cracks or comes loose it doesn't cook the rocket." - Elon Musk

I post this early to gain understanding of the mission challenges. The video is live...

 

[rockytopva]

Looks like they are currently hoisting lightning rods...

 

[rockytopva]

As this broadcasts in the midst of a storm they are expecting another Falcon 9 launch here in a few hours.

 

[rockytopva]

Looks like we are @ T-25 minutes for a launch of another Falcon 9 rocket.

 

[rockytopva]

T-7:00 and very windy!

... Locals claiming, "It is very windy here!"
...Update... Another scrub... It was obviously too windy...
...Update... Another scrub... Going to try it again tomorrow at 5:25PM.

 

[rockytopva]

Current interesting SpaceX architectural achievement summary....

Falcon Rocket - Returnable Boost Stage, Second Stage, Returnable Payload Fairings
Falcon Heavy - Throw in a couple more Falcon 9 boosters
ASDS Drone Ships - Three deck barges anchored in Long Beach CA and Port Canaveral FL.
INS-GPS Navigation - Onboard computers on the drone ship and rocket guide the spacecraft to landing
Octagrabber Robots - Secures the boosters to the drone ships
Starship - Planned with crew and cargo capable of interplanetary transport

Starship - Still under development. The current challenge is re-entry without "cooking the spacecraft."

 

[rockytopva]

Approximately T-2 Hours on the next launch. Live on the video in the OP.

 

[rockytopva]

What was better coverage earlier in the day...

 

[rockytopva]

SpaceX Octagrabber will grab a hold of the booster on the drone ship landing. I would imagine that it constantly repositions the booster during high winds and waves on the way back home. If the wind and waves are too much they will lose the booster as in the video below. It is also said that SpaceX is currently testing the weather and limits of how much weather the top heavy booster can endure before tipping over or losing it altogether.

 

[AlexB23]

Earliest launch opportunity as early as Tuesday.

1. Currently preparing the tower to catch the spacecraft
2. Will be looking especially at the tile and heat shields

"Tiles are about twice as strong that were on the last flight. We want to put secondary structure that offer a blade of protection so that if a tile cracks or comes loose it doesn't cook the rocket." - Elon Musk

I post this early to gain understanding of the mission challenges. The video is live...

Woo, I am excited. So, Tuesday, July 2 is the earliest expected launch date for the Starship? Hopefully, there will be no holes in the tiles, and that the spacecraft can land safely on Earth.

 

[AlexB23]

Approximately T-2 Hours on the next launch. Live on the video in the OP.

Darn, I missed this launch, as the rocket launched earlier, and I had to go grocery shopping.

 

[AlexB23]

I just watched the Falcon 9 launch, albeit late, and it was good. Solid booster landing (well, technically, the booster uses liquid fuel, but the landing was well done, aka. solid).

 

[rockytopva]

SpaceX began removing and replacing Ship 30’s entire heatshield prior to the next Starship Test Flight. Also, construction of the second launch tower has started...

0:12 Nosecone Tiles Removed
1:52 The Chopsticks
2:35 Ship 30 Tile Removal Continues
6:22 Ship 30 Tile Removal
8:14 The Chopsticks
8:53 Ship 30 Tile Removal

 

[AlexB23]

SpaceX began removing and replacing Ship 30’s entire heatshield prior to the next Starship Test Flight. Also, construction of the second launch tower has started...

0:12 Nosecone Tiles Removed
1:52 The Chopsticks
2:35 Ship 30 Tile Removal Continues
6:22 Ship 30 Tile Removal
8:14 The Chopsticks
8:53 Ship 30 Tile Removal

Woo, yeah. Looks like a Tuesday launch is likely, I hope. Maybe we as human civilization can have a small moon base for a few dozen astronauts in the next decade or so, assuming Jesus does not return before then.

 

[rockytopva]

Nice re-entry video earlier in the year. This is the main focus. To make sure the spacecraft remains intact during the intense heat of re-entry (not to "Cook" the spacecraft as Elon would say)...

 

[AlexB23]

Nice re-entry video earlier in the year. This is the main focus. To make sure the spacecraft remains intact during the intense heat of re-entry (not to "Cook" the spacecraft as Elon would say)...

Ooh, I saw this one before, and it was amazing. Look at the plasma that forms on the fins at T+46 minutes. That plasma is almost hotter than hell, my brother. 2600°F (1427°C) is pretty hot.

 

[rockytopva]

 

[AlexB23]

Can I say it?

Gonna say it: Dang bro, that is a beautiful rocket, and that takeoff was glorious. I am not a fan of Musk cos of his personality, but I am a huge fan of innovation, and SpaceX has brought a whole host of new tech (reusable rocket boosters, automated robotic ships for landing pads, and this Starship). Starship, with the silver colored metal is so SpaceXy.


See what I did there? Also, happy Fourth, if celebrated. For myself, I celebrate Christmas and Easter only, along with Thanksgiving, cos Jesus is the only one who I celebrate. I am curious what Jesus would say about space travel. Anyways, I have to get some rest, as a friend and myself are gonna grab some pizza at the local park for the holiday.

Apollo 8 Genesis reading (December 24, 1968):

Apollo 8 Genesis reading - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[rockytopva]

Looks like an August first like launch for SpaceX Starship 5. The problems I see with this spaceship is that they are going to try to catch it with grabbers as it has no landing legs. But... There are no grabbers on other planets! They do have quite a way to go on this project!

 

[Larniavc]

I hope the

Earliest launch opportunity as early as Tuesday.

1. Currently preparing the tower to catch the spacecraft
2. Will be looking especially at the tile and heat shields

"Tiles are about twice as strong that were on the last flight. We want to put secondary structure that offer a blade of protection so that if a tile cracks or comes loose it doesn't cook the rocket." - Elon Musk

I post this early to gain understanding of the mission challenges. The video is live...