Starship Development Thread #49
Starship Development Thread #49
FAQ
- When (first) orbital flight? First integrated flight test occurred April 20, 2023. "The vehicle cleared the pad and beach as Starship climbed to an apogee of ~39 km over the Gulf of Mexico – the highest of any Starship to-date. The vehicle experienced multiple engines out during the flight test, lost altitude, and began to tumble. The flight termination system was commanded on both the booster and ship."
- Where can I find streams of the launch? SpaceX Full Livestream. NASASpaceFlight Channel. Lab Padre Channel. Everyday Astronaut Channel.
- What's happening next? SpaceX has assessed damage to Stage 0 and is implementing fixes and changes including a water deluge/pad protection/"shower head" system. No major repairs to key structures appear to be necessary.
- When is the next flight test? Just after flight, Elon stated they "Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months." On April 29, he reiterated this estimate in a Twitter Spaces Q&A (summarized here), saying "I'm glad to report that the pad damage is actually quite small," should "be repaired quickly," and "From a pad standpoint, we are probably ready to launch in 6 to 8 weeks." Requalifying the flight termination system (FTS) and the FAA post-incident review will likely require the longest time to complete. Musk reiterated the timeline on May 26, stating "Major launchpad upgrades should be complete in about a month, then another month of rocket testing on pad, then flight 2 of Starship."
- Why no flame diverter/flame trench below the OLM? Musk tweeted on April 21: "3 months ago, we started building a massive water-cooled, steel plate to go under the launch mount. Wasn’t ready in time & we wrongly thought, based on static fire data, that Fondag would make it through 1 launch." Regarding a trench, note that the Starship on the OLM sits 2.5x higher off the ground than the Saturn V sat above the base of its flame trench, and the OLM has 6 exits vs. 2 on the Saturn V trench.
Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 48 | Starship Dev 47 | Starship Dev 46 | Starship Dev 45
Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread
Status
Road Closures
| Type | Start (UTC) | End (UTC) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 2023-08-24 13:00:00 | 2023-08-25 01:00:00 | Cancelled |
| Alternative | 2023-08-25 14:00:00 | 2023-08-26 02:00:00 | Concluded |
| Alternative | 2023-08-28 13:00:00 | 2023-08-27 01:00:00 | Cancelled |
Up to date as of 2023-09-05
Vehicle Status
As of 2023-09-22
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S20 | Rocket Garden | Retired | |
| S24 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Destroyed on during Flight Test 1 |
| S25 | Stacked on B9 | Spin Prime and Static Fire | |
| S26 | Test Stand B | Cryo tested | |
| S27 | Rocket Garden | Scrapped | Common dome imploded |
| S28 | Engine Install Stand | Raptors installed | Previously tested at Masseys |
| S29 | Masseys | Awaiting testing | |
| S30 | High Bay | Under construction | |
| S31 | High Bay | Under construction | |
| S32 | Build Site | Parts spotted | |
| S33 | Build Site | Parts spotted | |
| S34 | Build Site | Parts spotted |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-B7 & B8 | Scrapped or Retired | B4 is in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped. | |
| B7 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Destroyed April 20th in Flight Test 1 |
| B9 | Launch mount | Hot-stage ring installed | Static fire (August 5th) |
| B10 | Megabay 1 | Cryo tested | |
| B11 | Megabay 1 | ||
| B12 | Megabay 1 | Grid fins installed | |
| B13 | Megabay 1 | Stacking | |
| B14 | Build Site | Parts under construction | |
| B15 | Build Site | Parts under construction |
Resources
- LabPadre Channel | NASASpaceFlight.com Channel
- NSF: Booster 7 + Ship X (likely 24) Updates Thread | Most Recent
- NSF: Boca Chica Production Updates Thread | Most recent
- NSF: Elon Starship tweet compilation | Most Recent
- SpaceX: Website Starship page | Starship Users Guide (2020, PDF)
- FAA: SpaceX Starship Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
- FAA: Temporary Flight Restrictions NOTAM list
- FCC: Starship Orbital Demo detailed Exhibit - 0748-EX-ST-2021 application June 20 through December 20
- NASA: Starship Reentry Observation (Technical Report)
- Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
- Production Progress Infographics by @RingWatchers
- Raptor 2 Tracker by @SpaceRhin0
- Acronym definitions by Decronym
- Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Everyday Astronaut: 2022 Elon Musk Interviews, Starbase/Ship Updates | Launch Tower | Merlin Engine | Raptor Engine
This thread maybe, next thread definitely!
I appreciate these threads!!
definitely maybe*
Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:
Fewer Letters More Letters C3 Characteristic Energy above that required for escape FAA Federal Aviation Administration NSF NasaSpaceFlight forum ~ National Science Foundation OLM Orbital Launch Mount OTF Orbital Tank Farm QD Quick-Disconnect SPMT Self-Propelled Mobile Transporter Jargon Definition Raptor Methane-fueled rocket engine under development by SpaceX dancefloor Attachment structure for the Falcon 9 first stage engines, below the tanks
[Thread #8 for this sub, first seen 10th Sep 2023, 22:00] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]
Elon has posted the list of 63 corrective actions: https://nitter.net/elonmusk/status/1700789411279966339#m
Congrats to SpaceX for completing & documented the 57 items required by the FAA for Flight 2 of Starship!
Worth noting that 6 of the 63 items refer to later flights.
A readable text version of the 63-item list can be see on Reddit here and a reply.
I copied and pasted it here. Thanks to @threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works for pointing me back at the RES extension so I could get the source.
Each item is on its own line. C## is the ID#. If there's text before it on its line, that's its Observation / Description section name; if it's at the start of the line, the Observation / Description string is the next one above.
List of Actions:
Observation / Description ID# Corrective Action Description Status Tank sensing C1 Replace certain fittings with welds inside tank Complete Aft end cavity environment failure C2 Increase fire suppression capacity by 15x Complete C3 Replace certain manifolds with dedicated drain per corresponding valve Complete C4 Replace certain flanges with better seals and improve joint design Complete C5 Replace certain fittings with welds in specific location Complete Booster leak C6 Replace accessible valves of a certain type with new design Complete mitigation C7 Replace certain flange bolts with higher strength bolts and increase torque Complete C8 Disallow certain seal re-use, and add cameras to monitor all engines during ground operations Complete C9 Increased scrutiny on leak checks Complete C10 90+ cameras added to detect leakage during operations Complete C11 Add leak capture and drain hardware for valves of a certain type Complete C12 Add leak check and screen for porosity on igniter units Complete C13 Improved igniter seal design Future Action C14 Weld certain alignment bolt holes shut Complete Raptor leak C15 Reassess k-factor and torque for engine hot joint #1, add leak capture and route overboard Complete mitigation C16 Reassess k-factor and torque for engine hot joint #2 Complete C17 Add safety cable to certain fluid lines on high risk locations Complete C18 Add one methane sensor per engine bay Complete C19 Ground test campaign to better characterize typical engine leakage Complete C20 Improve structural FEA/fatigue analysis for all medium to high criticality lines Complete C21 Add insulation to engine lines sensitive to thermally driven loads Complete Collateral C22 Add insulation to avionic harnessing Complete damage from fire C23 Add backup wire to specific harness Complete C24 Improve thermal protection of avionics tray Complete C25 Change routing to flight computers Complete C26 Replace sensor with more reliable units Complete C27 Coat gimbal assembly with lubricant Complete C28 Add pump pressure sensors to certain location Complete C29 Add pump temperature sensors to certain location Complete Booster reliability C30 Replace certain bolts, and increase torque for certain flanges Complete improvement C31 New seal design for certain areas of booster Complete C32 Add electric actuation system Complete C33 Better manage engine bay pressure by increasing fire suppression capacity by Complete C34 Change certain booster valve timing Future Action C35 Add final leak checks for critical joints Complete C36 Add support bracket for certain sensor Complete C37 Add support bracket for certain sensor Complete C38 Add check valves to certain areas of engine Complete C39 Improve oxygen valve design Future Action C40 Improve oxygen valve seal design Future Action Raptor reliability C41 Improve design of hot manifold Future Action improvement C42 Change nitrogen shutdown usage Complete C43 Change engine shutdown logic Complete C44 Increase capability for ground leakage mitigation Complete C45 Redesign fire suppression system Complete C46 Change conditions around bolts Complete C47 Change timing of specific valve actuation Complete Avionics reliability C48 Eliminate certain type of connector Complete improvement C49 Redesign network architecture Future Action Risk Process C50 Improve risk tracking process Complete C51 Implement improvements to safety system Complete Safety System C52 Verify flight safety system design improvements using additional type of test article Complete C53 Verify flight safety system design improvements via analysis Complete C54 Perform component testing Complete C55 Review and improve operations surrounding flight safety system Complete C56 Improve CAD controls Complete Control C57 Add engineering walkdown Complete Change C58 Improve use of change management system Complete C59 Redesign of launch pad deck Complete Pad Design C60 Improve assumptions for new pad deck design Complete C61 Add water cooled pad deck Complete Pad Design Process C62 Improve pad deck design documentation Complete C63 Improve pad design process Complete
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
12:22am- Booster thrust sim stand moved into the mega bay
9:00am- I can confirm that the OLM is still there and that one lift went up to the top of it overnight.
10:44am- A couple of workers with leaf blowers are cleaning off the pad
11:25am- Scaffolding went up on top of the 3rd large deluge tank this morning
12:02pm- B10 is being lifted on to the thrust sim stand
4:30pm- On NSF live, Jack confirms that media accreditation for IFT-2 has not opened yet.
9:02pm- B10 starts rolling out of the mega bay
9:18pm- Stopped at the gate to Hwy 4
10:02pm- Rolling out on to Hwy 4
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
11:45pm- Booster stand arrives at the production site. Goes in to the fenced in yard where the mid bay was.
3:10am- Deluge tank lifted again
3:25am- Tank is sat back down
9:40am- Deluge tank is still hooked to the load spreader and under tension. No lifts were up at the OLM overnight but workers could be seen going up and down the stairs.
10:51am- Straps unhooked from the deluge tank
11:48am- Concrete truck at the pad. Looks like they are pouring something off to the side of the pad.
12:34pm- 2nd concrete truck
2:30pm- 2 lifts are up to the inside of the legs. Not moving like paint crews. Maybe working on the cameras?
5:25pm- 2 mini excavators have been working over between the OLM and OLT again this afternoon. Likely breaking up more fondag.
8:58pm- Workers at the SQD. One of the mini excavators was working at the right side of the pad for a bit.
(This gets synced)
S25 is being stacked back on B9.
NSF are live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qe1yOyZyX8
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
12:53am- Chopsticks raise back up
2:32am- S31 is going for a twirl in the high bay
8:55am- 1 lift up under the OLM. Overnight, workers could be seen moving around on the dance floor and going up and down the stairs. The cranes working on the star factory also lifted up numerous roof beams.
1:30pm- One lift has been up and down but doesn’t look like much is going on today.
5:25pm- Single lift has been going up and down to to the dance floor
7:50pm- All is quiet on the OLM front
10:00pm- The 2 guys on the lift earlier get employees of the day.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
7:24am- LR11000 picks up the ring lifting jig and swings over to hot staging ring. Looks like they are done with the work on top of B9
7:30am- Lowers the lifting jig down to the ring
8:10am- Workers are on the SQD and on top of B9
8:47am- Workers retract the work platform on the SQD
9:00am- Lifts went up to the staircase and dance floor overnight. More sparks could be seen coming from the OLM ring to the right of the staircase. AWP left the pad area
9:08am- Ring is lifted and 2 AWP’s are going up
9:20am- Swings over to B9
9:25am- Workers helping to line it up
9:31am- Down on top of B9
9:34am- Worker climbs into the HSR
9:39am- Workers disconnecting the lifting cables
9:47am- Lifting jig is lifted away from B9 and AWP's go down
10:04am- SQD work platform is swung back over to the end of the arm
10:38am- LR11000 disconnected from the lifting jig
12:20pm- Workers up on the SQD
1:00pm- LR11000 moves over to the sub orbital pad area
1:15pm- Lift has been up at the top of the staircase
3:44pm- AWP goes up to one of the latch points between B9 and the HSR.
4:09pm- Work platform at the end of the SQD is swung away
4:21pm- AWP goes back down. Sensor was showing the latch didn’t work?
4:30pm- AWP goes back up. Needed to grab something?
4:33pm- After some quick work, they go back down again
6:24pm- Venting at Massey’s. S29 cryo starting?
6:47pm- LR11000 is lowering the squid to the top of S26 and an AWP is going up to hook it up
7:04pm- Klaxon and announcement. I can make out personal and orbital pad.
7:17pm- Frost on S29
7:41pm- Lox tank is full frosty on S29
8:12pm- Full frosty
9:10pm- Lift has been up at the right chopstick
9:27pm- AWP goes back up to the top of B9. Other side of booster compared to earlier
9:55pm- AWP comes back down. No view of what they were doing on SBL or Rover 2
10:30pm- Frost is receding on S29. Lift up to the dance floor
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
11:12pm- Thrust stand turns into Massey’s
3:15am- S29 moved to the middle of the high bay
4:25am- New ship lifting jig raised up to S29
4:28am- Lifts go up to attach the new lifting jig
5:29am- Lift goes down. Jig is attached
8:25am- Several workers arrive at the deluge tank farm and climb up to the pressure pipe on top of the large tanks. 2 lifts up at the OLM and 1 up at S26
8:54am- LR11000 picks up a ring lifting jig
9:15am- Swings it over to B9 and worker on top starts connecting it to the hot staging ring
9:20am- S29 has been lifted in the high bay with the new jig
9:42am- Ship thrust simulator is being moved into the high bay. Looks like S29 may be headed to Massey’s during tonight’s closure
10:22am- AWP going up to the hot staging ring
10:25am- Hot staging ring lifted off of B9
10:27:30am- Swings over to right side of OLM and starts lowering
10:38am- Looks like it’s down
11:01am- Hot staging ring disconnected from the crane
11:11am- Lifting jig disconnected from crane
1:25pm- One lift has been up under the OLM and one under the OLM.
4:35pm- Workers have been on top of B9 but it’s been a pretty quiet afternoon otherwise
6:27:56pm- 26.1 goes pop at Massey’s
7:20pm- One lift has been up under the OLM
9:35pm- Welding can be seen on the dance floor and a lift is up to the staircase platform
(This gets synced)
Huh, I wonder why they're removing the hot staging ring. Further upgrades to the ring following the B9+S25 stack test? Better access to the top of B9?
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
10:17pm- S29 exits the high bay
10:25pm- Stops at the gate to Hwy 4
10:32pm- Turns onto Hwy 4.
12:47am- Turns into Massey’s
8:30am- Lifts were up to the top of the OLM, under the OLM, and to the bottom of S26 overnight. Workers could be seen on the dance floor along with some welding going on.
10:25am- 1 lift up under the OLM. Right side of staircase looking at the pipe work
1:30pm- 3 lifts up under the OLM. 2 over by the cryo leg and 1 in the same spot as earlier
4:00pm- 1 lift up behind the cryo leg
7:53pm- Workers are on top of B9. Otherwise it's been a pretty quiet afternoon
8:49pm- E dome test tank turns on to Hwy 4 headed to Massey’s
9:27pm- Turns into Massey’s
9:50pm- One lift was up to the top of the staircase and workers could be seen moving around on the dance floor.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:50am- AWP went up to several places around the HSR on B9 overnight. A lift went up and down to the staircase and workers could be seen on the dance floor.
12:15pm- Lifts have been up to the staircase, dance floor, under the backside of the OLM, and to the lox tank of S26. Overall, back to being pretty boring to watch.
5:45pm- Workers on top of the OLM
9:00pm- Lifts have been up to the backside of the OLM and the backside of the tower.
(This gets synced)
I posted here about the FWS environmental re-assessment due to the booster bidet.
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
6:25am- Workers returning to the pad
7:26:54am- SQD retracts
7:47am- SQD work platform is extended
7:49am- Worker on the SQD arm climbs up to S25’s QD. Installing covers?
7:58am- Work platform is retracted
8:41am- SQD arm swings to the side
8:54:55am- S25 is lifted off of B9
8:56:40am- Swinging to the side
9:04:40am- Going down
9:21:26am- Starts swinging over the stand
9:23:44am- Lowering onto the stand
9:45am- Looks like it’s down
10:32am- Workers back at the pad
11:04am- AWP going up to S26
11:12am- Squid is being disconnected from S26
11:34am- Lift up behind the cryo leg
11:54am- LR11000 swings away from S26
12:40pm- Workers on top of the OLM
1:55pm- AWP goes up to the Hot stage ring. Lifts up to the top of the OLM and behind the cryo leg
2:15pm- LR11000 starts moving towards the OLM for HSR removal most likely
3:30pm- Klaxon, storm warning announcement. Lifts go down
6:34pm- Some workers return to the pad after one heck of a storm. Over on the NSF discord, they said their weather station showed 48mph winds
9:58pm- Workers have been on top of the OLM and the AWP has been back up at the HSR.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
12:19am- B10 Turns into Massey’s
6:30am- 1 lift was up under the OLM for several hours overnight
8:41am- LR11000 swings back over to S26
9:09am- AWP goes up to S26. They are reconnecting the squid. Looks like S26 needs some work before they static fire
11:24am- Another roof rafter is lifted up to the new mega bay
12:02pm- Lift goes up to S26
12:20pm- Lift didn’t stay up long
1:01pm- Lift up at S20’s nose cone
4:00pm- Equipment has been moving around the base of the OLM but no actual work appears to be taking place. A lift has been up by S26.
5:13pm- Big piece of roof section lifted up to the new starfactory. I do believe this is the start of the taller nose cone section
9:17pm- Crane lifts the pressure feed pipe up to the 3rd big stage deluge tank
9:30pm- Lifts are up at the base of B11 and the payload bay hatch of S28.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
7:00am- Storms rolled through late last night and that kept the cranes and lifts grounded.
9:10am- Heavy rain
11:35am- The skies are brightening and a lift is up at the dance floor
12:02pm- Frost on B10’s lox tank
1:55pm- B10’s lox tank is fully frosted
3:00pm- Frost starts decreasing
3:15pm- Depress vent (Lasted 13 minutes)
4:45pm- Frost is still almost all the way to the top
6:55pm- Still about halfway covered in frost
7:00pm- Thin ring of frost on the methane tank. 2 lifts up at the OLM
8:50pm- The thin ring of frost remains on the methane tank. Lox tank still has patchy frost and depress vents are still occurring. 1 lift up at the OLM.
9:50pm- Methane tank is frost free. Still a little bit on the lox tank. One lift up at the right side of the OLT.
(This gets synced)
Tesla Owners Silicon Valley @teslaownersSV Sep 9, 2023 · 12:17 AM UTC
Starship is the biggest rocket ever built 🤯
Elon Musk @elonmusk / Replying to @teslaownersSV Sep 9, 2023 · 6:20 AM UTC
Likely to be 10% to 20% longer in later versions
I wonder if they are planning to stretch the booster, the ship, or both?
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
3:09am- B11 starts rolling
3:17am- Stops
4:00am- Starts rolling again
4:44am- Stops at the end of Remidos
5:05am- Turns onto Hwy 4
5:17am- Turns into the production site
5:25am- Stops outside the mega bay
5:31am- Rolls into the mega bay
7:42am- AWP goes up to the top of B11 to hook up the bridge crane
7:43am- 2 lifts go up under the OLM
9:00am- Workers on top of the OLM
10:13am- Lift goes up to S26
11:05pm- 2 lifts up at the cameras on the inside of the legs and 1 lift up at the top of the OLM.
11:16am- S26’s methane tank opened and vent hose installed
1:15pm- 3 lifts have been up at the camera locations on the legs. Backhoe has been bringing in dirt and dumping it along the edge of the pad.
2:42pm- B11 is lifted off the transport stand and over to the right side of the mega bay
8:20pm- 2 lifts have been up under the OLM. Higher than the cameras this time.
9:53pm- For the last hour there has been a worker on a lift going around the OLM inspecting the pipe work with a flashlight
Rover 2-
16:58- Vans and buses bringing in employees for pictures
17:15- Staging in front of the deluge tanks
17:28- Photographer is up on a lift
17:35:55- Everyone smile
17:38:26- Okay back to work
18:03- Another bus and more vans. A different picture for each shift maybe? (No pictures. Could never see what the people were doing)
(This gets synced)
This is a link to my separate story post: "(Reuters) US could advance SpaceX license as soon as October after rocket exploded in April", including a bit of interpretation.
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
9:30am- 2 lifts were up at S28 overnight
11:51am- Crane lifts a pump at the lox side of the OTF
12:03pm- Lowers it into place
12:58pm- One of the ship stands is being moved away from the sub orbital pads
1:02pm- Lox pump is lifted then lowered again
2:10pm- One lift has been up at the top of the staircase on the OLM all day
4:17pm- Plumbing lifted up to one of the new Lox subcoolers
5:51pm- B10’s methane tank is getting frosty
7:29pm- Methane tank looks full frosty
8:19pm- Lox tank venting. So it has something in it even though it’s not frosty
8:37pm- Dance floor is headed back to the launch site
9:14pm- Dance floor arrives at the OLM
9:50pm- Lifts arrive to hook up the dance floor
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
10:00pm- Dance floor is raised up under the OLM
10:38pm- Dance floor stand drives out from under the OLM
11:27pm- Crane lifts a box over by the right side of the OLM and moves it closer to the base
1:34am- B10 is frost free
2:30am- Lift goes up and Lots of movement can be seen on the dance floor
4:48am- Railing going up on the dance floor
6:47am- SQD being disconnected
7:14am- SQD arm swings away
8:05am- S25 is lifted off of B9
8:13am- Starts swinging to the side
8:20am- All the way over
8:21am- Starts going down. (Someone grease that thing)
8:26:46am- Pauses
8:28:48am- Moving again
8:30:10am- Pauses again
8:31am- Swings closer to the booster
8:32:30am- Lowering again
8:38am- Pauses again
8:41am- Translates to over top of the stand
8:43am- Lowering again
9:15am- Touchdown on the stand
11:30am- Lifts have been up at the OLM and left rear flap of S25
12:06pm- Lift goes up to S25 and replaces missing tile by left rear flap
1:46pm- Lift goes up by the right side lifting pin on S25
4:37pm- Workers on top of B9. One thinks he is the king of the world.
5:05pm- Scissor lift has been up under the OLM. Pick ups have brought in a trailer of equipment and an air compressor. Mini excavator has been moving around the base of the pad. Lift also up at S28.
6:25pm- More fondag is being broke up in the area right in front of the camera
7:30pm- Drone is up looking at the pad. Lift is up at the pivot point for the chopsticks.
10:15pm- 2 lifts up at S28. Light towers are blinding the cameras at the OLM.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
11:13pm- B10 is frost free
7:50am- Work on S26 has resumed with a single lift up at the methane tank hatch. A lift was also up at the top of the staircase on the OLM for awhile overnight
8:43am- Crane extends and swings towards OLM
9:07am- Tool van is back
9:24am- Crane lifts a piece of metal railing and a small platform up to the back right side of the staircase where the access door is. 2 lifts up working with it (Something to do with getting on and off the dance floor at that location?)
10:45am- Scissor lift is up at the OLM along with the crane and the 2 lifts working on the railing. 2 lifts up at S26 and 1 lift up at the backside of the OLT.
12:00pm- The platform has been tack welded into place and lifts go down
1:36pm- Lifts go back up and disconnect crane from the platform
2:13pm- Small set of stairs is lifted up to the new platform. Will go from platform to dance floor
3:10pm- Work continues on the platform and 2 lifts have been up at S26
3:52pm- Crane lifts another set of steps with a handrail up to the platform
4:05pm- Crane lowers and leaves the OLM area
5:10pm- Scissor lift has been up to the left of the staircase. 1 lift was up on the backside of the OLM as well as the 2 lifts working on the platform. 2 lifts are up working on S26.
7:50pm- Scissor lift is still up as well as one lift at the new platform. Another lift is up on the backside of the OLM
10:00pm- Lots of grinding and welding on the new platform.
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
8:10am- 2 lifts up at S26’s methane hatch. 1 lift was up to the top of the staircase on the OLM overnight. Tarps have been put up around the dance floor blocking the view.
11:29am- Concrete truck arrives at the front of the pad where the fondag was being broken up yesterday. Workers had been working in that most likely redoing the rebar for the last couple of hours
11:58am- Concrete truck leaves
12:49pm- 2nd concrete truck arrives
1:30pm- Mini excavator with the jack hammer attachment arrives back at the pad. More Fondag getting broke up.
1:34pm- 2nd concrete truck leaves
2:45pm- 2 lifts up at S26 and a scissor lift is up under the OLM
5:48pm- Chopsticks lower a bit. Still need some grease.
7:08:14pm- S26’s lox tank is pressurized
9:45pm- 2 lifts up at the OLM and S26. Workers can be seen on the dance floor
(This gets synced)
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
7:45am- More of the same overnight. Scissor lift was up most of the night as well as the lift working on the new platform. The road closure wasn’t used and no lifts went up to S26.
10:45am- 2 lifts have been up at the OLM. One at the staircase and one at one of the cameras. More scaffolding is coming off of the mega bay.
2:00pm- Same 2 lifts have been up
4:50pm- The 2 lifts have went down. Some workers have been walking around the base of the OLM.
7:25pm- Scissor lift is up to the left of the staircase. Regular lift is up at the new platform. There is a lift up by S26 but just hanging out in the air not actually at the ship. A crane has risen over by where the new booster static fire station is being built by the sub orbital pads but nothing has been lifted yet. Workers were seen walking around the top of the OLM
7:45pm- Cameron county has tweeted out about the road closure tonight. So hopefully B10 will actually move.
8:56pm- B10 starts rolling
9:31pm- Stops at the turn on to Hwy 4
10:09pm- Turns on to Hwy 4
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
12:22am- B10 turns into the production site
12:29am- Turns into the mega bay
7:45am- An AWP went up to B9 in several places overnight. A lift was up at the top of the OLM and one was up welding at the new platform. People could also be seen working on the dance floor. Lifts were up at B10 inside of the mega bay getting it hooked to the bridge crane.
10:00am- 2 lifts up at the OLM
10:22am- Lift goes up to the top S26 to disconnect the squid
11:20am- Squid disconnected and crane swings away from S26
1:12pm- B10 starts being lifted off of the thrust simulator stand
1:55pm- Bridge crane moves B10 to the back left corner of the mega bay
2:00pm- One lift up at the new platform
2:18pm- LR11000 starts rolling from the suborbital pad to the OLT.
3:26pm- Arrives at the tower. Adding more stairs to the tower or moved in preparation of a S26 static fire?
4:02pm- In a weird move, the LR11000 lowered its hook to the top of B9 several times before swinging away. Testing to see if it could remove the hot staging ring if need be?
8:20pm- No lifts up but workers can be seen on the dance floor. Some of the tarps along the edge are coming down
9:16pm- New ship lifting jig is picked up in the high bay by the bridge crane
10:20pm- Booster thrust simulator stand turns onto Hwy 4 to head back to Massey’s
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:50am- Lift up to the top of the staircase. No lights were seen on the dance floor overnight. So work must have been focused inside of the OLM ring.
9:21am- S31 is being stacked on to its aft section.
11:46am- All is quiet at the OLM
2:40pm- Roof beams are going up to the new mega bay and star factory. A cyber truck has been spotted driving around on Rover 1. No lifts up at the launch site
2:54:40pm- B9 Grid fin tests
3:43:56pm- S25’s flaps are tested
4:35pm- Venting at Massey’s
7:40pm- No lifts. No lights on the dance floor.
10:30pm- Lift up at the top of the stairs and the dance floor lights are back on. They’ve fixed the tarp around the outside of the dance floor though so you can’t see anyone moving.
Rover 2-
15:46:20- Cybertruck enters the launch site
16:28- Leaves the launch site (Never saw it around the OLM on SBL)
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:30am- Raptor install stand was moved to the suborbital side of the launch complex. The LR11000 has moved to the right a bit and swung around to pick something up behind the tower
9:17am- LR11000 picks up another section of stairs and lifts them to the back side of the tower
10:55am- Crane disconnected from stairs. 3 lifts up at the OLM. 2 under and one at the top of the stairs
1:15pm- 🥱. Lift is still up at the top of the stairs and the scissor lift is up to the left of the stairs
4:00pm- The 2 lifts from above are still in the same place with the workers having moved to the dance floor. A 3rd lift is up behind the cryo leg and a 4th went up to the left chopstick for a few minutes before coming down.
7:00pm- 2nd shift got lost
9:30pm- Workers could be seen on the dance floor and around the base of the OLM. Someone finally brought the scissor lift down from the dance floor
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:45am- Quiet overnight. 1 lift was up behind the cryo leg for a bit this morning.
10:30am- Lift up at the top of the OLM and the second lift went back up behind the cryo leg
1:05pm- Both lifts went down and now all is quiet
4:00pm- Both lifts back up at the same places
6:35pm- Shift change happened and one lift went back up behind the cryo leg
8:15pm- Workers are up on the dance floor. No lifts are up
9:40pm- Looks like lots of work going on up on the dance floor. One lift up at the top of the staircase because who wants to climb all those steps
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:15am- Work continued on the dance floor overnight. A lift went up to the shielding on top of the staircase but no discernible work was done
1:15pm- AWP was up at the left chopstick. A different lift is up at the top of the staircase. Some HVAC ducting was removed from the electrical bunker at the launch site. Work continues on the new mega bay’s roof and the Star factory.
3:45pm- AWP has been up and down to the left chopstick. Lift has been up and down to the staircase. Forklift removed some equipment from around the pad. (Test soon? I don’t think they’d do anything with S25 sitting right there though.)
6:10pm- Lift about 2/3rd of the way up the staircase. Worker looking at something on the side it looks like
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:15am- Work continued on the dance floor overnight. A lift went up to the shielding on top of the staircase but no discernible work was done
1:15pm- AWP was up at the left chopstick. A different lift is up at the top of the staircase. Some HVAC ducting was removed from the electrical bunker at the launch site. Work continues on the new mega bay’s roof and the Star factory.
3:45pm- AWP has been up and down to the left chopstick. Lift has been up and down to the staircase. Forklift removed some equipment from around the pad. (Test soon? I don’t think they’d do anything with S25 sitting right there though.)
6:10pm- Lift about 2/3rd of the way up the staircase. Worker looking at something on the side it looks like
9:42pm- SPMT delivers something to the launch site (Thought to be the outriggers for the LR11000 and the old 2 point ship lifting jig)
10:30pm- AWP is up at the left chopstick. Lift has been up and down to the top of the staircase.(I wonder if they’ve turned part of the cross bracing into a gate or if they really are just climbing over it) Sparks could be seen falling out from under the bottom of the OLM ring to the right of the staircase. So someone is obviously working inside of it.
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
3:13am- Before leaving the pad, lifts were up to the top of the OLM and to the back right chine of B9
5:50am- Pad has been cleared of equipment overnight and It looks like they may be removing the tarp covering the deluge plate right now
7:30am- OLM area looks clear. No sign of pressure washers yet
7:51:22am- Cyber truck drives in front of the OLM. (Please tell me they didn’t clear this all out for a photo op)
7:56:40am- Drone and Cyber truck
8:04:55am-Now 2 people on bikes are riding around the OLM (Tesla bikes?)
8:10:49am- Cyber truck leaves the launch site
10:11am- Looks like a manifold for a set of the methane sub coolers being delivered
12:40pm- Lift was up at the bottom of S26. Still no sign of anyone pressure washing at the OLM. So between that and the tarp going back on, a test is looking doubtful. (It’s normally 5 to 7 hours from the start of pressure washing to a deluge test.)
1:33pm- New manifold delivered for the Lox side sub coolers .
2:33pm- Vent hoses are in both of S28’s tanks. Doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere tonight.
3:15pm- A crane is up over by the orbital tank farm but the tanks are blocking the view of what it’s doing. (Not by the sub coolers)
4:12:33pm- Cyber truck now pulling an Rvac is back at the OLM with a photo car in front
4:17:41pm- Round and round it goes. (The tarp was removed again for the video)
4:34:14pm- Here they come again
4:40:22pm- Taking the chains down that keep equipment off the deluge plate. They were apparently ruining the shot.
4:47:24- Left the OLM and now coming back in. Do one lap and leave the pad area again.
5:05pm- Back to do some still photos
5:37:45pm- S29 nosecone venting
5:56pm- I mean, who doesn’t want to drive circles around the OLM?
6:34pm- Venting from bottom of S29
6:39pm- And the road closure is for……taking video of Cyber truck pulling the Rvac up and down the road with no one else around
7:12pm- Drone following the truck down Hwy 4 this pass
7:45pm- B13’s transfer tube is lifted for install in the mega bay
8:35pm- Headlights can be seen to the side of the pad but no workers have returned yet
8:58pm- S25’s stand is moved to beside the OLM. Here comes another de stack
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What changes did they make to the top of B9 while the hotstaging ring was removed?
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:30am- A lift was up to S29’s methane hatch at Massey’s overnight. A lift was also up to the top of the OLM most of the night and then to show off, 2 lifts went up to the top of the staircase at the same time this morning.
10:27am- Lifts up to the top of the staircase, the dance floor, and S28.
2:00pm- Lifts went down for lunch and now they’re back at the same places
7:30pm- Lift was up to the top of the Cryo leg and of course the staircase.
10:30pm- 2nd shift either has the night off or has started their night working somewhere other than the OLM.
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
9:00am- Lifts were up at the staircase and behind the cryo leg (Maybe at the old staircase) overnight. Workers were busy on the dance floor. Didn’t notice anything happening at the ground level.
12:25pm- Lifts are down. No signs of anything going on at S26. Another big beam went up at the star factory. It’s really going to block the view of the high bay when it’s done.
3:10pm- Lift up by the old staircase.
5:55pm- Maybe 2nd shift will be more exciting
8:55pm- It hasn’t. Lift up to the top of the OLM by the cryo leg
11:00pm- Lift up at the top of the staircase and the top of the OLM still. Workers could be seen going up the stairs as well. No lights are on, on the dance floor.
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
7:20am- LR11000 finished moving over next to the OLT overnight and their was the ever present lift at the top of the staircase
10:45am- Workers have been on top of the OLM. AWP went up to the chopsticks.
3:00pm- Quiet around the OLM
6:40pm- People have been moving around the base of the OLM and the deluge tank farm. No visible work though
9:40pm- Still no lift action but workers could be seen going up the stairs and the lights on the dance floor are on for the first time in several nights.
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
12:02am- 24.2 Turns onto Hwy 4
1:54am- Turns off Hwy 4 into Massey’s
5:35am- 3 Lifts were up at S28. At the OLM lifts went up to the top and to the staircase overnight.
8:28am- 3 scissor lifts up under S26
11:45am- More roof beams are going up at the Star factory. The ever present lift at the top of the staircase has gone up and down a couple of times
4:20pm- The OLM is still there. More beams going up over at the star factory.
7:30pm- Lift has been up at the top of the OLM
10:15pm- Workers could be seen around the base of the OLM and on the dance floor. The lift has gone up to the top of the OLM and the dance floor
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New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:30am- Work continued on the dance floor overnight and I’m beginning to wonder if someone lost the keys to the lifts
11:55am- Lift has been up and down to the top of the staircase
1:22pm- Forklift brings in a sheet of metal. Drops it in front of the lift
5:10pm- Lift was at the top of the stairs and a second lift was up under the right side pipes inspecting
8:45pm- No lifts and no lights on the dance floor
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Didn't think we would see a delay because of regulatory processes... that was not on my bingo card.
When the major problems from your first test can be illustrated by Heath Ledger in 2008 -- debris zoom but boom no boom -- it's not surprising.
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:30am- Nothing happened overnight. 2 lifts went up to the staircase about an hour ago but are back down now.
11:20am- The 2 lifts have been back up to the top of the staircase
3:00pm- Just 1 lift at the staircase now. (I know, absolutely riveting)
5:58pm- Lift goes up behind the cryo leg. Stays for 8 minutes before going down.
6:31pm- Forklift brings in a flat piece of metal with some cut outs.
6:38pm- Looks like the forklift puts the piece of metal into the basket of the lift
6:45pm- Lift goes up to the top of the staircase
7:09pm- Lift goes back down. Worker seemed to be struggling to get it out of the basket but the lighting was terrible so I can’t tell if they were successful or not
7:20pm- Forklift brings another piece of metal in, puts it in lift, and lift goes back up to the top of the stairs
7:40pm- Small shower of sparks from inside of the OLM ring, left side of stairs
9:20pm- Lift up at the stairs and workers can be seen on the dance floor. Light tower is also on for the first time in awhile. So maybe they are planning on doing work under or around the OLM tonight?
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current predictions on launch date?
End of October.
November 10. I think the problem is going to be that there's no precedent for the deluge system in an environmental assessment. Even if they want to go fast, they're going to have to start from scratch. I doubt there's much existing literature on "what happens if you dump an absurd amount of water on a wetland in under 10 seconds?".
Though maybe they'll say it's similar to a hurricane or tidal event, and be done super fast?
October 12th, because I'm busy that day.
This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread #50
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase live-
8:10am- Small crane was up behind the tower around 3am. Couldn’t see what it was lifting on SBL or Rover 2.
11:20am- No work around the OLM. Concrete is being poured behind the tower.
3:15pm- Nothing
4:15pm- Maybe all of the the workers are over at the fishing tournament at the beach
8:20pm- Lights are on and movement can be seen on the dance floor
9:50pm- Mosquito spraying truck
11:00pm- No lifts have been up all day. Work continues on the dance floor
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Just FYI that thread #50 is up both here and on The Other Place. Time for a bot update?
New comment from /u/santacfan on Reddit:
Starbase Live-
11:56pm- S27 aft end test tank rolled out to Massey’s
12:11am- SQD retracts (Rover2)
1:20am- S29 frost free
1:43am- S27 test tank arrives at Massey’s
1:54am- Grinding on the left chopstick
6:42am- More sparks under the OLM ring to the right of the staircase
6:59am- Sparks to the left of the staircase
7:57am- S25 venting. Looks like the stabilizer pins are engaged
8:20- Lifts were up to both chopsticks, the staircase, the top of the OLM, and to S28 overnight.
10:21am- Chopsticks start lifting S25
10:35am- S27 test tank lifted into the structural test stand at Massey’s.
10:40am- Chopsticks stop
10:41am- SQD swings back over
10:46am- Start swinging over B9
10:53am- Over B9
10:54am- Start lowering
11:27am- Down on top of B9
1:09pm- SQD work platform extended
1:34pm- Worker up on SQD. Looks like they are removing covers on S25’s QD
1:40pm- SQD work platform retracted
1:45pm- Lift has been up at S26 off and on this morning
1:54:55pm- SQD extends
2:17pm- SPMT’s headed to Massey’s. S29 coming back already?
5:00pm- Lift has been up and down to the top of the staircase. The elevator in the tower has been getting a work out today as well going up and down to the SQD level.
5:15pm- Venting at Massey’s. S29 is go for round 2
5:24am- S26’s Lox tank is open with a vent hose run to it
6:16pm- Frost on S29
7:50pm- S29’s lox tank is mostly frosty. Just a small line at the bottom of the methane tank. Lift up to the back side of the OLM and of course, there is one at the top of the staircase
8:19:39pm- S29 depress vent. Never got full frosty
9:48pm- Lift up at S26’s lox tank, back side of the OLM, and to the staircase. More grinding going on inside of the OLM ring to the left of the staircase
10:17pm- S25’s stand is being moved back to the production site/storage area
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