aTmAg said:

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Strange that it's wired on the outside like that.

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One of the last things installed after all testing is done so any RUD before flight isn't compounded by explosives.

Is it strange that they are so close together? I would think it would be dispersed to make sure falling pieces weren't too big.

There may be more.

Have to remember, once it goes the rocket becomes instantly unstable and will generally tear itself apart

Apparently the may be trying to launch today.

No fly zone is in effect around Boca Chica from 8 AM till 7 PM. Also in effect for the next two days. Hopefully we get to see SN9 fly today.

Here's hoping!

He said labpadres camera is shaking like hell in the wind. Sounds like weather is...marginal

Cactus Jack said:

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No fly zone is in effect around Boca Chica from 8 AM till 7 PM. Also in effect for the next two days. Hopefully we get to see SN9 fly today.

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Launch window is noon til 6 apparently.

EDIT: Yeah that's the road closure times today.

Yeah the wind is supposed to die down here in McAllen this afternoon but not as much at the beach. Tomorrow looks 100% better at the beach if wind is a concern.

Minor trivia pending whatever happens today or tomorrow with SN9; I read that Nasa amended their agreement with spaceX to allow re-used boosters as well for Astronaut flights. B1061, and the same Crew Dragon module (C-206) will be used on March 30 to take a fresh crew up to the ISS.

The 'airliner' model they hope to use for commercial starship operations across the world (also requiring deep sea platforms) seems to be getting accepted (in a small way) by Nasa as well. Frankly, I'd expect the DoD to utilize starship as such prior to any commercial pax, though, which pending the 2021 testing/developments might be something to keep an eye out for.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/us/politics/trump-biden-pentagon-space-missiles-satellite.html

Quote:

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How Space Became the Next 'Great Power' Contest Between the U.S. and China
. . .

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Hearing 3pm central is the target

Lots of action still at the pad today.

Wind is at ~30 MPH gusts...I don't think they will make it today.



If they can get a flight in the next 4 hours, that will set a new precedent!

I hope it is tomorrow, so I can drive down tonight!

Weather is still really hazy. Hopefully it clears up.

Loved seeing SN8 reflect the sunlight against the blue sky. It was beautiful.

scottimus said:

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Lots of action still at the pad today.

Wind is at ~30 MPH gusts...I don't think they will make it today.



If they can get a flight in the next 4 hours, that will set a new precedent!

I hope it is tomorrow, so I can drive down tonight!

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Yeah I think it is supposed to lay down a little later in the afternoon once the front passes. Tuesday would be much better wind wise.

Delayed to tomorrow

So, what is the rule? Currently winds are steady around 25 miles an hour and gusting to 3538. Will they launch in that kind of a wind or put it off until tomorrow?

SPI-FlatsCatter 84 said:

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So, what is the rule? Currently winds are steady around 25 miles an hour and gusting to 3538. Will they launch in that kind of a wind or put it off until tomorrow?

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They set their own parameters, and don't publish them, as a private company. Final answer for today is 'no go.' Hopefully tomorrow (weather is to be better).

Ha you guys are fast. Tomorrow should be way better.

That is actually good news for me, because I can watch the launch pad right out of my kitchen window. But, I had to drive down to McAllen this afternoon. I Was afraids going to miss it.

FTR is still approved for today, winds are calm, but there is a buttload of fog at the moment. Probably no launch before noon if I had to bet on it.

They're testing starhopper 7.2 today, not Starship.

SpaceX alerted people in the village that flight test is postponed to at earliest Thursday.

SPI-FlatsCatter 84 said:

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So, what is the rule? Currently winds are steady around 25 miles an hour and gusting to 3538. Will they launch in that kind of a wind or put it off until tomorrow?

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will25u said:

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SpaceX alerted people in the village that flight test is postponed to at earliest Thursday.

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That figures

I have to go to CStat Thursday thru Sunday

Don't wanna jinx it but tomorrow is looking like the day for launch.

Sorry SPI-FlatsCatter 84

Whoo!

I still haven't made it down there but was planning to do it earlier this week!

Glad I waited, this has become pretty routine. What should happen next is an abort at the ignition phase....AND THEN THE NEXT DAY...it will launch.

Just kidding! I am sure they have worked some of that stuff out.

https://instagr.am/p/CKjjY21DhPF

Centerpole90 said:

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https://instagr.am/p/CKjjY21DhPF

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Quote:

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spacex_starship

Rumour has it the reason the FAA go-ahead for launch is taking a while is because on the 21st some idiot decided to drive past the pad via the beach breaching the exclusion zone.

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I think they are talking about the static fire abort on the 20th

Quote:

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Bregxit 4:20p, 1/20/21AG

Scrubbed due to range violation. There was a car on the road near the pad.

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My wife and I were looking into a beach house in Galveston this May with the family. I said what about South Padre Island. She started looking into that area and was liking it. Then about a half hour later she says "oh that's near SpaceX".

Grin

TexAgs91 said:

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My wife and I were looking into a beach house in Galveston this May with the family. I said what about South Padre Island. She started looking into that area and was liking it. Then about a half hour later she says "oh that's near SpaceX".

Grin

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Rule 1?

I'm tempted almost to think some underling bureaucrat working for the FAA desk covering BC might not be motivated to approve their requests. Politics? Maybe, maybe not...