SpaceX (general discussion)

[FighterJock]

View attachment 642170

Interesting that Starman has survived that long out in space and is now made its closest approach with Mars, any idea as to when Starman will next approach the Earth?

It's just an inert object. All it has to do to 'survive' is not crash into anything...

I read somewhere I cannot remember what the publication was or it may have been on the internet, that Starman may eventually crash into the Earth or Mars depending on where it is in its orbit in two to three years time. Give or take a year. Either way it is going to be a sad end to Starman.

 

[TomcatViP]

Per road closures published on SpaceX’s dedicated Cameron County, Texas page, Starship serial number 8 (SN8) could apparently be ready for its historic launch debut as soon as November 9th in a 12-hour window that opens at 9am CST (15:00 UTC). Identical 9am-9pm windows on November 10th and 11th will serve as backups in the event of one or several launch aborts or delays – fairly likely for a prototype as complex as Starship SN8.

SpaceX's high-altitude Starship launch debut unlikely before Crew-1

Update: SpaceX canceled its November 5th and 6th Starship SN8 static fire test windows on Thursday, delaying the next Starship test window to November 9th unless additional testing is scheduled on the 7th and 8th. As previously discussed, SpaceX requested three road closures for “Starship SN8...

www.teslarati.com

 

[Flyaway]

Archived mission coverage from Space X for the launch of GPS III SV04:

View: https://youtu.be/wufXF5YKR1M

 

[Flyaway]

.@Airbus and Raytheon have filed protests with @USGAO challenging Space Development Agency contracts awarded to @L3HarrisTech and @SpaceX last month for eight missile-tracking satellites, putting the projects on hold until the dispute is resolved. https://t.co/ugqV0GPAcj pic.twitter.com/BwqgdPyOWW

— SpaceNews (@SpaceNews_Inc) November 9, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/spacenews_inc/status/1325921366902759427

.@Airbus and Raytheon have filed protests with @USGAO challenging Space Development Agency contracts awarded to @L3HarrisTech and @SpaceX last month for eight missile-tracking satellites, putting the projects on hold until the dispute is resolved.

Airbus, Raytheon protest Space Development Agency satellite contract awards - SpaceNews

Airbus and Raytheon have filed protests with the Government Accountability Office challenging Space Development Agency contracts awarded to L3Harris and SpaceX last month for eight missile-tracking satellites, putting the projects on hold until the dispute is resolved.

spacenews.com

 

[Flyaway]

SpaceX explains why the U.S. Space Force is paying $316 million for a single launch

Gwynne Shotwell explained the contract pays for launch services but also covers expenses for infrastructure required for national security launches.

spacenews.com

 

[Flyaway]

Static fire of Falcon 9 complete – targeting Saturday, November 14 at 7:49 p.m. EST for launch of Crew Dragon’s first operational mission to the @space_station with four astronauts on board. Teams will continue monitoring weather conditions for liftoff and along the flight path

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 11, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1326650380973797376

Static fire of Falcon 9 complete – targeting Saturday, November 14 at 7:49 p.m. EST for launch of Crew Dragon’s first operational mission to the @space_station with four astronauts on board. Teams will continue monitoring weather conditions for liftoff and along the flight path

 

[Flyaway]

A multinational crew composed of three private astronauts and @CommanderMLA have now officially signed with Axiom.

In other words: the first private crew to go to orbit in human history – the crew of Ax-1 – has been assembled.

Mission launches NET late 2021. More details soon. pic.twitter.com/9gslvlTD55

— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) November 11, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/axiom_space/status/1326627951060848648

A multinational crew composed of three private astronauts and @CommanderMLA have now officially signed with Axiom.

In other words: the first private crew to go to orbit in human history – the crew of Ax-1 – has been assembled.

Mission launches NET late 2021. More details soon.

 

[Flyaway]

4 Astronauts fly to @Space_Station on Sat night from Cape. First operational flight of Crew Dragon. pic.twitter.com/uZCGiKciKb

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 12, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1326911280981143558

 

[Flyaway]

View: https://youtu.be/EFceA88Hujw

 

[Michel Van]

There was problem during last Static Test fire
some liquid running down after the test
if this is molten metal, one of Raptors is dead
Let's hope that SN08 is not damage

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUAj7UdDqfI

 

[Flyaway]

SN8 won’t be flying anywhere for a while.

SN8 fired up its engines for the third time, but suffered a loss of pneumatics and was unable to drain the LOX header tank in the nosecone- luckily a burst disk prevented a potentially catastrophic overpressure event. Some liquid that looked like molten metal could be seen dripping from Raptor after firing. Also included, a comparison of all 3 SN8 static fires so far.

Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer)

 

[Flyaway]

One Raptor will be replaced.

 

[Flyaway]

View: https://youtu.be/PwBoepMtjoY

 

[FighterJock]

NASA has cancelled the launch of the first operational Crew Dragon to tomorrow evening at 7:27 EST due to onshore winds.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcr...plete-prelaunch-news-conference-at-6-p-m-est/

 

[Michel Van]

This morning they removed Raptor engines 32 out SN8

according the picture here,

SpaceX Starship : Texas Prototype(s) Thread 3 : Photos and Updates

SpaceX Starship : Texas Prototype(s) Thread 3 : Photos and Updates

forum.nasaspaceflight.com

show engine 32 no external Damage
This could indicate that Injector plate (also LOX turbo pump?) have melted.

 

[Flyaway]

"The Human Rating Certification Plan for SpaceX’s crew transportation system, officially certifying the first commercial spacecraft system in history capable of transporting humans to and from the International Space Station. "

📸 :NASA pic.twitter.com/dSlPKVgK1j

— Jamie Groh (@Jamieagroh) November 13, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/alteredjamie/status/1327284227126292480

"The Human Rating Certification Plan for SpaceX’s crew transportation system, officially certifying the first commercial spacecraft system in history capable of transporting humans to and from the International Space Station. "

:NASA

 

[Flyaway]

Raptor Serial #32 after being removed from StarShip SN8.
🔥🚀 pic.twitter.com/XtiVmmoypA

— Austin Barnard🚀 (@austinbarnard45) November 14, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1327659432029933573

Raptor Serial #32 after being removed from StarShip SN8.

Just a scratch. We can buff it out.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1327743939621703681

Just a scratch. We can buff it out.

 

[Flyaway]

Looks like SN8 is being fitted with a new unknown Raptor engine.

 

[FighterJock]

Looks like the weather is 50% variable for tonights launch of the first operational Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station with a multinational crew onboard. Lift off is still at 7:27p.m. EST.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/

 

[Richard N]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebbbqO8BTQE

 

[Flyaway]

View: https://youtu.be/PYLhLA_sv6E

 

[FighterJock]

View: https://youtu.be/PYLhLA_sv6E

Thanks for posting the NASA footage Flyaway, I had missed the launch last night as it was past midnight UK time.

 

[Flyaway]

View: https://youtu.be/rDX_3_l-l0A

 

[Flyaway]

About 2 secs after starting engines, martyte covering concrete below shattered, sending blades of hardened rock into engine bay. One rock blade severed avionics cable, causing bad shutdown of Raptor.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 17, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1328742122107904000

Avionics cables moving to steel pipe shields & adding water-cooled steel pipes to test pad

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 17, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1328743239327866881

 

[Flyaway]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

 

[Flyaway]

Coronavirus adds to ViaSat-3 launch delay

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed some work on the first ViaSat-3 broadband satellite, making a launch in mid-2021 unlikely, Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said Aug. 7.

spacenews.com

 

[Hanse]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

 

[Flyaway]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

SN8 needs to be moved whatever the cost to it. And we know the company testing philosophy.

 

[Hanse]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

SN8 needs to be moved whatever the cost to it. And we know the company testing philosophy.

Moved where? And why? Why on earth wouldn't you fly it?

 

[Flyaway]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

SN8 needs to be moved whatever the cost to it. And we know the company testing philosophy.

Moved where? And why? Why on earth wouldn't you fly it?

Flying is a form of movement.

 

[Hanse]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

SN8 needs to be moved whatever the cost to it. And we know the company testing philosophy.

Moved where? And why? Why on earth wouldn't you fly it?

Flying is a form of movement.

Yeah but people generally say, "fly" when they mean fly. "Move" could mean anything.

 

[Flyaway]

Keep an eye on SN8 and the fact they need to free up the launch stand whatever happens for SN9 which has improvements. Keeping in mind also that they have more prototype Starships than launch stands. Read between the lines of this statement.

The have a 2nd launch stand too. Their biggest problem at the moment seems to be keeping the ground on the ground.

SN8 needs to be moved whatever the cost to it. And we know the company testing philosophy.

Moved where? And why? Why on earth wouldn't you fly it?

Flying is a form of movement.

Yeah but people generally say, "fly" when they mean fly. "Move" could mean anything.

Sorry there are reasons for being cryptic here.

 

[Richard N]

SpaceX coverage with a new look

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVFPzTDCihQ

 

[FighterJock]

SpaceX coverage with a new look

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVFPzTDCihQ

Watched the launch on NASA TV, the first stage made a text book landing back on the pad after launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

 

[Flyaway]

As you’ve probably now noted SN8 is going to do the 15KM hop soon, by all reports it’s not likely to survive.

 

[Flyaway]

As we are quickly approaching the first full scale StarShip prototype flight, SN8 is undergoing final inspections; meanwhile SN9 and its nose cone are prepping for a possible mating soon. Simultaneously SN10 & SN11 body tanks are almost complete, SpaceX is not slowing down!🚀 pic.twitter.com/zp0YA4tXQA

— Austin Barnard🚀 (@austinbarnard45) November 22, 2020

View: https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1330568574180659202

As we are quickly approaching the first full scale StarShip prototype flight, SN8 is undergoing final inspections; meanwhile SN9 and its nose cone are prepping for a possible mating soon. Simultaneously SN10 & SN11 body tanks are almost complete, SpaceX is not slowing down!

 

[Grey Havoc]

Early Mars colonies will involve ‘life in glass domes’, according to SpaceX boss Elon Musk
(Nasa)

Elon Musk says first Mars inhabitants will live in ‘glass domes’ before terraforming

SpaceX boss also wants to use nuclear weapons to make Red Planet as habitable as Earth

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Rhinocrates]

This is the habitat design used in the illustration. It's not related to SpaceX in any way, and neither is it made of glass.

MARS ICE HOUSE

www.marsicehouse.com

News:

NASA Awards Top Three Design Finalists in 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge - NASA

NASA awarded three teams a total of $40,000 in the first stage of the 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge Design Competition at the New York Maker Faire on Sunday,

www.nasa.gov

Mars Maker Space

Print what you need to live on a new world !

marsmaker.space

Added the competition rules as a pdf.

 

[Hanse]

As you’ve probably now noted SN8 is going to do the 15KM hop soon, by all reports it’s not likely to survive.

"All reports" are guessing.

 

[dannydale]

A spot of fun.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w