SpaceX (general discussion)

[Moose]

I never said anything about a clean sheet, I asked what the problem with a simple fix was.

It's possible the two failures have the same root cause, though this is the first time we've seen evidence of an upper stage Raptor missing its nozzle prior to LOS so it's also possible this was a significantly separate failure only taking place at a similar point in the flight.

It will be interesting to see if they publish any kind of detailed findings this time. They've not done so on any prior Starship failures so I'm certainly not expecting it, but maybe the two failures in a row pushes them towards transparency.

 

[Byeman]

We see how Vulcan tapers a bit…

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0307904X11000837

This may help with IM’s lander too perhaps:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2019/9854187

Scuttlebutt


Titan nozzle

Starship Flight 8 DISCUSSION : Starbase TX : 6 March 2025 (23:30 UTC)

Starship Flight 8 DISCUSSION : Starbase TX : 6 March 2025 (23:30 UTC)

forum.nasaspaceflight.com

Slosh isn't the problem in both cases
It isn't combustion instability
It's plumbing according to your source.

 

[publiusr]

The guys at NSF showed tripod like downcomers in a Saturn V first stage cutaway—but that used kerosene.

Might different propellants benefit from different plumbing? There may be some hidden answers—I’m just shaking the branches here…

 

[NMaude]

An amateur astronomer captured on his telescope and filmed the IFT-8 flight's demise:

 

[NMaude]

The Space Bucket has just put out a video concerning the loss of the upper-stage in IFT-8:

It's been a few days since the eighth Starship launch and in that time more information has surfaced related to the loss of the ship. Specifically, a possible leaked image inside the aft section, in addition to details on exactly what caused the failure, have been circulating.

While this info is not confirmed by SpaceX, and should be taken with a grain of salt, a lot of it does align with what was shown during the livestream and on Flight 7 as well.https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...w&q=https://thespacebucket.com/&v=r-dYWs-YkGA

Credit:
SpaceX - / spacex
https://www.youtube.com/c/SpaceX
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Missing Engines

 

[publiusr]

For years—SLS critics loved to talk about how shaky SRBs were in flight.

Even if future Starships can survive—might harmonics impinge upon science payloads?

Like Shuttle, SLS’ flight profile became smoother upon staging. Only four liquid engines—farther away from the payload.

The 4 engines being individual RS-25s—whose vibrations were perhaps overrode by just the two solids.

With Starship-the ride looks to get rougher upon staging—the polar opposite of SLS’s flight profile.

 

[sferrin]

For years—SLS critics loved to talk about how shaky SRBs were in flight.

Even if future Starships can survive—might harmonics impinge upon science payloads?

Like Shuttle, SLS’ flight profile became smoother upon staging. Only four liquid engines—farther away from the payload.

The 4 engines being individual RS-25 vibrations reigned over by just the two solids.

With Starship-the ride looks to get rougher upon stage—the polar opposite of SLS’s flight profile.

You probably shouldn't take a ride on it then. Others might have a different opinion. And, rough as the SRBs were, I don't recall anybody who was offered taking a pass.

 

[aim9xray]

With Starship-the ride looks to get rougher upon staging—the polar opposite of SLS’s flight profile.

With all respect, this is unqualified, meaningless speculation. Show the Nx/Ny/Nz data plots for the two SLS flights and the eight Starship flights (in multiple physical configurations) and we can talk. Otherwise ... (shrug). Data talks, gossip walks.

 

[publiusr]

First, Starship has to complete a full mission like SLS has.

That’s the time—otherwise…there is no comparison

 

[aim9xray]

First, Starship has to complete a full mission like SLS has.

That’s the time—otherwise…there is no comparison

Puzzled here. First you were talking about comparing vehicle vibration at staging. Now you are not, preferring full mission profile. Am I misunderstanding you here?

 

[publiusr]

Comparisons between staging are relevant, certainly—but a booster ride can be a smooth as silk and it not matter if the mission isn’t completed.

I read a post elsewhere…an attack on Dan Dumbacher—-someone I have spoken to and respect. The NewSpace blogosphere trashed this man—whose rocket didn’t tumble out of control.

My blood pressure spiked… 200/107 now (it was higher).

I need one of HAL’s stress pills. I let things get to me.

 

[aim9xray]

Yeah, read you there. The Alpha Echo 35 unit replacement can wait till the morning.

 

[Archibald]

Yeah, read you there. The Alpha Echo 35 unit replacement can wait till the morning.

I'm sorry, AIM. I'm affraid I can't do this...

 

[Michel Van]

Booster 15 lift-off in slow mo

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898815751387066372

View: https://twitter.com/TechSpatiales/status/1898815751387066372

 

[Archibald]

Saw it at NASAspaceflight. Blew my mind.

All. hell. broke. loose.

 

[publiusr]

Djinn, dancing

In today's phys.org, there is an article entitled "New theory on dense gases and liquids could aid carbon capture:"

'For the past 50 years, experts in the field have claimed that developing a collision theory for liquids is impossible'

No longer?

This development might also help SpaceX's propellant handling methodologies.

Also:
"Mathematicians move the needle on the Kakeya conjecture" from NYU 's Hong Wang is in the 12/03/2025 edition of phys.org:

Tube intersections are discussed.

 

[Flyaway]

“We launched some situational awareness indications and warning payloads on the [LDPE-3A], a satellite in January of 2023 that those payloads have been flying for a couple of years now, collecting all kinds of very interesting data on, I’ll say, the Chinese SISO network,” Hammett said.

A SISO network refers to the sensors and radars used for Space Object Surveillance and Identification. China in recent years has launched hundreds of intelligence satellites to watch Earth, but less is known about how China monitors space.

Space Force Tested Payloads to Let Satellites Know When China Is Watching

The Space Force launched prototype payloads on a satellite two years ago to help operators know when the spacecraft is being tracked by China.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[Byeman]

Djinn, dancing

In today's phys.org, there is an article entitled "New theory on dense gases and liquids could aid carbon capture:"

'For the past 50 years, experts in the field have claimed that developing a collision theory for liquids is impossible'

No longer?

This development might also help SpaceX's propellant handling methodologies.

not related.