Reads like all major testing is complete, so let's watch for the road closures being canceled.

FTS work is still required but likely close to the launch date, which comes after the FAA approval - so all eyes are on the FAA now.

Everyone excited? 🚀👍https://t.co/e3xbqPnwZ5 https://t.co/VaN3I5eqK2 pic.twitter.com/IpDviQv1lV

— Chris Bergin - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) April 9, 2023

IOW, "The only thing holding us up now is the government."

Imma remain skeptical, until I see it happen.

With the stabilizer pins removed from the OLM it seems unlikely they would be able to do that.

— Zack Golden (@CSI_Starbase) April 9, 2023

I would certainly guess not, but it sure would be cool if they did!

Will get bigger. Ship will probably stretch by another 10m or so.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 9, 2023

nortex97 said:

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IOW, "The only thing holding us up now is the government."

Imma remain skeptical, until I see it happen.

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Haha yeah. I'm never excited waiting for the government.

nortex97 said:

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Will get bigger. Ship will probably stretch by another 10m or so.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 9, 2023

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They're gonna need more launch tower then aren't they?

Nooooo!!!!!

I booked a room on the 17th

Starship launch trending towards near the end of third week of April

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2023

Never bet against 4/20

I still think it's going to be the 17th.

I would guess they might have to add a section, yes.

The 'fins' are basically way oversized now vs. earlier thoughts for what would be needed I think I have read. If those are changed in size/shape/position (basically longer but thinner/not as wide) then maybe the 'lifting pins' as well would drop to lower on the 2nd stage also, then maybe not?

Just a wild guess. The other question is what is put inside it as the ship grows longer; fuel and/or more payload volume (mass fraction or whatever). As Raptor 2's have matured I would guess they now have some different calculations for various missions (LEO vs. TLI etc). They also are supposedly developing a 'mini Raptor' for lunar starship, and a quasi 'third stage' a la mini-starship ideas/concepts could be of interest as well.

Robert Zubrin had a whole concept of using a mini-starship for mars missions.

Quote:

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Comparison of Alternative Starship Plans

Starship Plan Mars TLI/Mars LEO/Mars
#Tanker flights 4 2.1 0
Cargo delivered 150 80 23
Return ship mass 85 20 20
ISRU Power (kWe) 342 81 81
Cargo/Starship launch 30 25.8 23
Ship reuse time 1000 10 5

*Starship dry mass assumed 85 tons. Mini-Starship dry mass 20 tons.

* Use of TLI of LEO plans cuts power by factor of 4 ... A critical advantage!
* Use of TLI of LEO plans cuts Starship reuse time by factor of 100!!!!
* Use of TLI of LEO plans allows Starship to be used to support Moon during the two years between Mars launch windows.
* LEO plan eliminates need for on-orbit refuelling. No tanker system.
* TLI plan reduces number of tankers needed.
* LEO and TLI plans require development of Mini-Starship.
* Mini-Starship can be used as upper stage of Falcon9, creating a fully reusable medium lift vehicle with great commercial utility.
* Mini-Starship also can be used to come back direct from the Moon.
* Mini-Starship can be refuelled for TMI by single Falcon Heavy launch.

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Can you shed any light on why? I have a room booked. DM me if you need to.

Can't say publicly but there should be a public announcement of the NET date once the license is in hand.

I have a tentative reservation at Isla Blanca RV park on the southern tip of South Padre for the 16-18. Haven't planned beyond that. If they scrub after fueling it will be a few days before they can try again because of how many shipments it will take to replenish the fuel stores.

"non-flight testing activities on April 17"

Thankfully I got a refund for my rental

Makes me think the faa delayed them...again

Here to eat my crow about the 17th

Hearing Wednesday on the FAA.

So ready to see Starship fly again. We got spoiled with the pace they were going a few years ago.

Are there any visibility charts for the estimated path, or a profile that shows the altitude it will be at when it is due south of Houston/Galveston?

This is what I want to know because I will probably be 50 nm due south of galveston.

Hey #StarshipAddicts its time for another deep dive investigation!

In this episode we will discuss the major upgrades that SpaceX made to the mechanical systems of the Orbital Launch leading up to the 1st O.F.T.

This includes 20 new sensors that we believe should prevent the… pic.twitter.com/EAFxjszM8E

— Zack Golden (@CSI_Starbase) April 10, 2023

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-orbital-launch-debut-summer-2021/

Sea Speed said:

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This is what I want to know because I will probably be 50 nm due south of galveston.

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I doubt you'd see anything. If it stages at 200,000 ft, that would be about 7 degrees above the horizon. Being so low to the horizon you'd be looking through a lot of air, and it's in the day time. I think it would be pretty hard to see anything from that far.

Sad day. I'll still look in the direction of CC and hope. Back on land 25th so hopefully it gets pushed

Bummer. Maybe you'll catch a sonic boom at least.

Sea Speed said:

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Sad day. I'll still look in the direction of CC and hope. Back on land 25th so hopefully it gets pushed

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Who knows... it may be possible. I don't think anyone's seen how bright a Starship launch is yet

I really hope I'll be home so I can take my kids down to see the largest rocket ever to be launched. Who needs to go to school anyways.

Sea Speed said:

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I really hope I'll be home so I can take my kids down to see the largest rocket ever to be launched. Who needs to go to school anyways.

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Bring Hearing protection for them! The rocket will be loud... a RUD would be really intense.

Yea I've got about 5 sets of earmuffs but I dont know what a rud is.

Sea Speed said:

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Yea I've got about 5 sets of earmuffs but I dont know what a rud is.

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Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly (aka Explosion)

Yes let's hope for no challenger type issues, but talk about candy coating something.

Wish I could take them to see saturn v again before this so they could get some idea of the size.

If you're on South Padre and need some scale, point to the Margaritaville resort. Starship is about the same height.

TexAgs91 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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Sad day. I'll still look in the direction of CC and hope. Back on land 25th so hopefully it gets pushed

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Who knows... it may be possible. I don't think anyone's seen how bright a Starship launch is yet

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One side will be super shiny and the other side completely black with the tiles.

TexAgs91 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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This is what I want to know because I will probably be 50 nm due south of galveston.

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I doubt you'd see anything. If it stages at 200,000 ft, that would be about 7 degrees above the horizon. Being so low to the horizon you'd be looking through a lot of air, and it's in the day time. I think it would be pretty hard to see anything from that far.

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I think the launch trajectory will go east-southeast, agreed that it'll be very difficult to see during the day, even with how bright the plume will be.