By the way - the next launch is supposed to be within 6 weeks or so and it will go 12 miles high.

I don't think they will make the 6 weeks with all of the engine installation and fuel for that kind of launch. I'm going with 8+.

October 23-25 road closure posted!

Now this:

They rolled that thing to launch pad, however, they got 2 weeks to attach 3 motors and a nose cone!

I'm gonna say 4 weeks to go.

Pressure Testing tonight on the next prototype SN-4

SN-5 in stacking and SN-6 in building. Might be a good explosion.

From Wednesday night

Static test fire

I think everything has gone smooth. Need to read up on it more.

That cylinder you see detonating on impact was on top of the rocket for ballast. It weighed 55,000 pounds!!!

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-explosion-explained-elon-musk/

Quote:

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Shortly after a post-launch briefing celebrating and discussing SpaceX's inaugural astronaut launch on May 30th, Reuters reporter Joey Roulette was able to ask Musk about Starship SN4's spectacular demise the day prior. The SpaceX CEO was quoted saying that "what we thought was going to be a minor test of a quick disconnect ended up being a big problem", confirming suspicions based on careful analysis of public views of the explosion that it was caused by issues with Starship's ground support equipment (GSE).

In Musk's statement, "quick disconnect" (QD) refers to an umbilical port that connects a launch vehicle to GSE, enabling the loading and offloading of propellant and fluids, clamping down the rocket, and providing a wired telemetry and communications link for ground controllers. QDs must perform all those tasks while also being able to rapidly release and disconnect, allowing the rocket to lift off while still protecting its sensitive ports for ease of reuse.

In theory, Starship's quick-disconnect umbilical panel is even more complex, as it will have to simultaneously enable the ship to be fueled and controlled while sitting on top of a Super Heavy booster and permit in-orbit docking and refueling. Given that Starships are currently being tested independently on spartan launch mounts, it's unclear if the current generation of prototypes has been outfitted with advanced QD panels. More likely, Musk was referring to a test of a less advanced QD panel similar to the rough version used on Starhopper last year, and SpaceX simply wanted to test its ability to disconnect and reconnect to Starship on command.

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https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/07/elon-musk-email-to-spacex-employees-starship-is-the-top-priority.html


The company's Starship rocket aims to be fully reusable and launch as many as 100 people at a time on missions to the moon and Mars.

Instead, Musk urged SpaceX employees to accelerate progress on its next-generation Starship rocket "dramatically and immediately," writing Saturday in a company-wide email seen by CNBC.

Now, with SpaceX having delivered on the first part of its commitment to fly NASA astronauts, Musk is turning the company's attention to Starship.

SpaceX continues to build up its facility in Boca Chica, an area along the Gulf of Mexico at the most southern part of the U.S. and Mexico border in Texas. Musk noted that he's often been on site at Boca Chica recently and continues to do so. On Saturday he tweeted an aerial view of the complex, showing its growing array of production tents and rocket manufacturing bays.


In his email, Musk asked SpaceX employees to "consider spending significant time" in Boca Chica to help further accelerate Starship development. SpaceX has about 8,000 employees, most of whom are at the company's Los Angeles area headquarters or its facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida or near Austin, Texas. Although SpaceX has some land under lease in the Port of Los Angeles for Starship development, Musk's email implied that the company is seeking to incentivize employees to move to Texas from California and Florida.

"For those considering moving, we will always offer a dedicated SpaceX aircraft to shuttle people," Musk wrote.

Pressure test of SN5 02 tank going on now...SN6 and SN7 in the works already according to reports. Some significant infrastructure development has been completed down there.

scottimus said:

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Pressure test of SN5 02 tank going on now...SN6 and SN7 in the works already according to reports. Some significant infrastructure development has been completed down there.

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That's a big mother ****in deal!

Propellant being loaded! Here we go!

10 Min warning at 11:25

Drone is up!

can someone explain what is going on?

Aggie95 said:

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can someone explain what is going on?

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Testing a prototype spaceship of this.

Dang aborted for now.

Abort

They are going to reset and try again

They tried yesterday, too, and a turbo valve did not open... so they aborted yesterday as well. Flight window is until midnight tonight.

If it doesn't explode it will be progress.

The everyday astronaut feed has splashing sounds, very weird.

 

scottimus said:

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They tried yesterday, too, and a turbo valve did not open... so they aborted yesterday as well. Flight window is until midnight tonight.

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I *think* it's 8pm tonight and midnight tomorrow and Thursday.

bmks270 said:

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The everyday astronaut feed has splashing sounds, very weird.

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That's from the camera feed.

They just cleared the pad QUICKLY!