SpaceX (general discussion)

Michel Van said:
the FAA Delays reach Capitol Hill
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Ted Cruz, senator for Texas, and SpaceX, located in Texas, put up a show at Capital Hill.
That won't speed up anything.

SpaceX should take lessons in diplomacy, instead of always criticizing the authorities via the media.
 
There is always some degree of tension between companies and regulators in almost any industry. That tension can be healthy as both companies and government agencies seek the right balance between ensuring safety and allowing progress.

There are signs, though, of strains between the launch industry in the United States and its main federal regulator, the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, or AST. Changes in launch regulations intended to streamline the process may have done the opposite, slowing down licenses as companies seek to expand their launch activities.
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I think this is the right SpaceX thread for this video, from TheSpaceBucket:


Europe has managed to put itself in a tough position as they are at the moment, without a launch vehicle. In this case, earlier this year the Ariane 5 rocket, Europe’s go-to, was retired and launched for the last time. The plan was to replace this system with Ariane 6, however, continued delays have pushed its maiden flight back quite a bit. Something a lot of spacecraft and satellite companies were not planning on.
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This leads us to today as the European Space Agency is somewhat forced to use U.S. providers like SpaceX. Just yesterday we got news that SpaceX signed a new deal to launch some key European satellites. With delays continuing to stack up for Ariane 6, this is a pattern we could see even more of in the next few months.
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From Europe’s point of view, despite the fact that the Falcon 9 for example is affordable and reliable, they would much rather be spending that money to support and grow its own program. Here I will go more in-depth into the new launch contract, Europe’s current predicament, Ariane 6 delays, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/why-europe...
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The problems with the lack of availability of the Soyuz rocket for ESA use are beyond their control and the technical issues with the Vega C are being dealt, what is very shortsighted of Arianspace is that they ended production of the Ariane 5 before the Ariane 6 had successfully flown at least once. This must be very greeting on the Arianspace and ESA managements to be highly dependent on the services of SpaceX.
 
Now that all that is needed for the second flight occur is the FAA's approval the question is when will that come, from TheSpaceBucket:


At this point, SpaceX is officially ready to launch Ship 25 and Booster 9 which are stacked and just completed some final testing. The only thing holding the launch back is approval from the FAA, which has been in the works for a while now. Even though no official launch date has been shared, based on recent updates and patterns prior to the first integrated test flight back in April, we can estimate when this rocket will lift off
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.Current signs suggest a launch next month in mid to late November is very likely. A full flight-like wet dress rehearsal has been completed along with successful pad testing after a long list of upgrades were made. The final physical step will be arming the test article’s flight termination system which is done right before launch.
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We know from the first fight test that SpaceX will launch very soon after getting approval, as in only a few days if not less. We also know the FAA is nearing certain deadlines related to approval timing and reviews. Here I will go more in-depth into a possible launch date, what still needs to be completed, what to expect in the next few weeks, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/when-can-w...
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NMaude said:
Now that all that is needed for the second flight occur is the FAA's approval ......
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They also need approval from the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).

The Spacebucket video and article claim that the FWS deadline of 135 days started begin August and ends around December 15th, however that does not seem to be correct.

Apparently the FWS issued yesterday a statement saying that they initiated the review on October 19 (not begin August) so the 135 days deadline then ends in March 2024. They could take less than 135 days but no guarantee that the launch will happen this year, especially not if SpaceX keeps bullying the authorities via various media. Authorities don't like that.

An extract from https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/spacex-starship-faces-us-review-in-step-to-resuming-launches-1.1989980 states:

The agency said in an emailed statement Thursday that it initiated the review — a consultation under the Endangered Species Act — with the Federal Aviation Administration on Oct. 19. The FWS now has as long as 135 days to create an updated biological opinion about how Starship and its launches impact the local environment, however the agency does not “expect to take the full amount of time,” a representative said in the statement.
 
An actual thing that flies to space—folks think it is a tanker. Someone moves a grain-silo roof…they think it is a flying saucer.

Starship for DoD
www.nextbigfuture.com

Future US Hypersonic Bomber is Hiding in Plain Sight | NextBigFuture.com

There are many articles and reports from Newsweek or other media sources that complain that the US military is behind China and Russia on hypersonic weapons.
www.nextbigfuture.com www.nextbigfuture.com
 
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X has several post about, that ITF-2 happing on November 6th 2023
is there any Official News on that ?
 
Well it is high time, at least for NSF. Either the goddamn thing launch; or the forum will die of disinterest (not Spacex ? meeeeh. Boring. Or some fanboys will blow a gasket.
 
Well, it appears that the FAA has completed its safety review for Starship, from TheSpaceBucket:


SpaceX has been patiently waiting as Starship sits ready on the pad to launch only needing approval from the FAA. While this approval process hasn’t been as smooth as initially hoped, yesterday we got news of a significant milestone from the FAA. Specifically, the agency just wrapped up its Starship safety review, which assesses the risks that a launch might pose to public health and property.
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On the other hand, despite this new approval, Starship is still not allowed to launch yet and needs the FAA to complete its environmental review process which has been underway for weeks now. On the bright side, all signs are pointing to a full launch approval and liftoff of this vehicle in just a few weeks.
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This is based on the timeline of the environmental review and comments suggesting that not all the time allotted to the agency is needed to complete it. Here I will go more in-depth into the completion of Starship’s safety review, the environmental approval, possible launch date, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/spacex-is-...
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publiusr said:
When SLS performed well---no 'atta boy"

SuperHeavy ...... blows up....nothing but cheers.
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You still don't get it. It comes down to money and not capability.
Launch vehicles graded on $/lb to orbit and not total lb to orbit. Cost matter over performance.

The same reason your favorite, Delta II lasted so long; it allowed more good science to be produced with less $.
It is several pickup trucks vs a semi tractor/trailer rig.

SLS better have worked for the delays and the several billion it cost. It couldn't afford not to work
Superheavy got the cheers because it didn't cost a lot and got further than expected.

And SLS does blow chunks for the colossal waste that it is. It is the LCS equivalent of launch vehicles.
 
Space X seem desperate to get it launched before the end of the year.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1720193736594919870
View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1720193736594919870


Rounding up the path to a potential second flight of Starship in mid-November (pending FWS):
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www.nasaspaceflight.com

Second flight of Starship closing in on potential November launch - NASASpaceFlight.com

The flight of Booster 9 and Ship 25 is now in the final stage of…
www.nasaspaceflight.com www.nasaspaceflight.com

Second flight of Starship closing in on potential November launch
written by Chris Bergin November 2, 2023
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www.spacex.com

SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
www.spacex.com www.spacex.com
 
Lunar Starship re-design?
spaceexplored.com

Leaked new SpaceX Starship HLS renders show a much more refined design

Most likely outdated renders of SpaceX’s Starship rocket in its Human Landing System configuration show a much more refined design...
spaceexplored.com spaceexplored.com
www.nextbigfuture.com

Rendering of SpaceX Lunar Starship Design With Large Solar Panels | NextBigFuture.com

David Willis claims that SpaceX is iterating on the design of the Lunar Human Landing system Starship with large solar panels.
www.nextbigfuture.com www.nextbigfuture.com

SpaceX artist
www.space.com

SpaceX Artist-in-Residence on painting spacecraft and Starlink satellites: 'The machine is my patron' (exclusive)

Polish-born artist Agnieszka Pilat discusses the divine intersections of art, religion and technology
www.space.com www.space.com
 
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Dear Moon update.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1722449717223927859
View: https://twitter.com/yousuckmz/status/1722449717223927859


We were planning for our lunar orbital mission "dearMoon" to take place in 2023, but seems like it will take a little longer.
We’re not sure when the flight will be, but we will give you all an update once we know more.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1722500705309655518
View: https://twitter.com/dearmoonproject/status/1722500705309655518


Announcement Regarding The dearMoon Project

In 2018, Yusaku Maezawa and Space announced the dearMoon project, a spaceflight mission around the Moon aboard Space's Starship transportation system.

Throughout the week-long journey, the multinational crew of artists, content creators, and athletes who have been selected for this mission will be the first to fly around the Moon aboard Starship, travel within 200 km of the lunar surface, and safely return to Earth.

Initially targeted to liftoff in late 2023, the launch will not take place this year due to the on-going development of Starship.

The vehicle's first flight test in April 2023 provided numerous lessons learned that are directly contributing to upgrades being made to improve the probability of success on future Starship flights.

The upcoming second integrated flight test will inform development and the dearMoon mission timeline, and we will share an update once we know more.

9th November, 2023
dearMoon
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Something happing at Starbase
the Explosives for Flight Termination System arrived and were installed on SuperHeavy and Starship !

F-f3BDjbAAAmMaM
 
Let's wait and see if that does happen Flyaway, I seriously want it to happen after the last Staship ended up exploding so soon after lift off.
 
publiusr said:
Anything to this?
www.businessinsider.com

SpaceX workers reportedly took Adderall and IV fluids, and some slept in the bathroom, to keep up with Elon Musk's deadlines

A Reuters investigation looked at 600 work injuries at SpaceX from 2014 to now.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com
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Most likely, yes. Turnover has been massive at SpaceX and company veterans have regularly described the atmosphere as breakneck. Elon has boasted about pushing his workforce at Tesla hard, and that he's keeping the throttle on the floor at SpaceX. And the less aid about how he's treated the Twitter workforce, the better. Startups often have enthusiastic workers willing to go the extra mile to get the company to profitability, if they don't transition to a more safe and stable work environment once they're in the black they tend to walk and you end up with lots of turnover and low morale. That could lead to real bad place, even without regulatory action, but Elon doesn't seem to have any interest in the problem.
 
Well, whatever NASAspaceflight.com biased and inept moderation thinks, there seems to be some safety issues at SpaceX's Starbase.


But no - moderation has decided (I kid you not) that it is a "media operation" against SpaceX, because IFT-2 is so close.

Reuters: SpaceX safety investigation

Reuters: SpaceX safety investigation
forum.nasaspaceflight.com forum.nasaspaceflight.com

NBC, Reuters (and Space.com) are reliable sources.

Oh, well... funnily enough, one moderator crushed another moderator previous messages. So - moderators contradicting each others ? really ?

Weird...
 
Moose said:
That could lead to real bad place, even without regulatory action, but Elon doesn't seem to have any interest in the problem.
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Of course. for him it is not a problem at all, but rather the source of his profitability. Those are our values I'm afraid. Let's see how long qualified engineers bear this humiliation before concluding that sweeping windshields is a more dignified calling than servicing a casino oligarch.
 
Interesting podcast w EM and Lex Friedman. EM talks about the FWS reservations.

One of the FWS concerns was about hitting a shark. SpaceX asked how are we to calculate the probability of hitting a shark. FWS stated, that's a secret. If we tell you then shark fin poachers will know. But, FWS then stated there is a group within FWS that can do the calculations. SpaceX said Great! Let's get the data to them. FWS refused, because they don't trust that other group. Eventually they were able to work through it.

For launching out of Vandenberg there was concern about sonic booms changing the mating habits of seals. SpaceX was forced to kidnap a seal, strap it to a board, put headphones on the seal and play sonic booms to the seal and measure its stress levels. They were forced to do this twice. Keep in mind other providers have been launching rockets from the West coast for years.

Discussion starts at 1hr 18 min in.

You can't make this bureaucratic bullshit up.
 
Moose said:
Most likely, yes. Turnover has been massive at SpaceX and company veterans have regularly described the atmosphere as breakneck. Elon has boasted about pushing his workforce at Tesla hard, and that he's keeping the throttle on the floor at SpaceX. And the less aid about how he's treated the Twitter workforce, the better. Startups often have enthusiastic workers willing to go the extra mile to get the company to profitability, if they don't transition to a more safe and stable work environment once they're in the black they tend to walk and you end up with lots of turnover and low morale. That could lead to real bad place, even without regulatory action, but Elon doesn't seem to have any interest in the problem.
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There are a lot of places that are a young person's job and will burn you out. Software development and entertainment come to mind. Don't like it, don't work there. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. The problem will solve itself if SpaceX can't keep the talent it needs. Keep the government as far away as possible.
 
sferrin said:
There are a lot of places that are a young person's job and will burn you out.
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Targeted harassment of fresh recruits sounds like an odd way to foster gratitude and loyalty to the regime.
sferrin said:
Keep the government as far away as possible.
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Except when showering nominally private businesses with subsidies, that is.
 
NeilChapman said:
You can't make this bureaucratic bullshit up.
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You'd think it reads like fiction until you've had to do an environmental impact study for even a minor project.

A company I worked for wanted a place to safely test things (relatively small things) that go boom in the desert, not terribly far off a major interstate. Proximity to humans and traffic was adjudged no problem.

One of the requirements initially asked to satisfy was about the possible disruptions to coyotes. Coyotes are classified by the state as a predatory animal that enjoys no protection from hunting in open areas and can be taken anytime year-round with permission of the landowner with no limit. They are also (in-?)famously tolerant of human activity and noise. The owner (I am told by people present in the meeting) told them he was a licensed hunter and that they could agree to waive that requirement or he would give a personal guarantee that there would be no coyotes to disrupt on his land.

Killing them was fine and legal. Disturbing them enough to make them think about relocating was for some reason verbotten.

It, too, was eventually ironed out to the satisfaction of both parties without a paid study. I think half of the requested studies were just to pad the coffers of people in the field (and universities). About 20% of the requirements actually made logical sense. The rest were bureaucratic box-checking. And that was for little more than a pit and some trailers and conex boxes in a rather barren parcel of desert. Can't imagine what they come up with for oceans and waterways.
 

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