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ElongatedMuskrat

Starship Development Thread #42

🔧 Technical

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread #43

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SpaceX Starship page

FAQ

  1. What's happening next? After 31-engine B7 static fire, SpaceX appears to be making final preparations before stacking S24 for flight: clearing S25 and S26 and adding cladding to the Launch Mount.
  2. When orbital flight? Musk: February possible, March "highly likely." Booster and pad "in good shape" for launch after static fire, which "was really the last box to check." Now awaiting issuance of FAA launch license. Work on water deluge appears paused, suggesting it is not a prerequisite for flight.
  3. What will the next flight test do? The current plan seems to be a nearly-orbital flight with Ship (second stage) doing a controlled splashdown in the ocean. Booster (first stage) may do the same or attempt a return to launch site with catch. This plan has been around a while.
  4. I'm out of the loop/What's happened in last 3 months? S24 tested for launch at Rocket Garden, while S25 and S26 began proof tests on the test stands. B7 has completed multiple spin primes and static fires, including a 14-engine static fire on November 14, an 11-engine long-duration static fire on November 29th, and a 33-engine SF on February 9. B7 and S24 stacked for first time in 6 months and a full WDR completed on Jan 23. Lots of work on Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) including sound suppression, extra flame protection, load testing, a myriad of fixes. Water deluge system begun installation in early February including tanks and new piping.
  5. What booster/ship pair will fly first? B7 "is the plan" with S24, pending successful testing campaigns. Swapping to B9 and/or S25 highly unlikely as B7/S24 continue to be tested and stacked.
  6. Will more suborbital testing take place? Not prior to first orbital launch.

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Status

Road Closures [](/#!!!!! THIS TABLE IS BOT GENERATED; DO NOT EDIT !!!!!)

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No road closures currently scheduled

No transportation delays currently scheduled

Up to date as of 2023-03-09

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Vehicle Status

As of March 8th, 2023

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ShipLocationStatusComment
Pre-S24Scrapped or RetiredSN15 and S20 are in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped.
S24Rocket GardenPrep for FlightStacked on Jan 9, destacked Jan 25 after successful WDR. Crane hook removed and covering tiles installed to prepare for Orbital Flight Test 1 (OFT-1). As of March 8th still some tiles to be added to the nosecone on and around a lifting point.
S25Massey's Test SiteTestingOn Feb 23rd moved back to build site, then on the 25th taken to the Massey's test site.
S26Ring YardRestingNo fins or heat shield, plus other changes. Rollout Feb 12, cryo test Feb 21 and 27. On Feb 28th rolled back to build site. March 7th: rolled out of High Bay and placed in the Ring Yard due to S27 being lifted off the welding turntable.
S27High Bay 1Under constructionLike S26, no fins or heat shield. Tank section moved into High Bay 1 on Feb 18th and lifted onto the welding turntable on Feb 21st - nosecone stack also in High Bay 1. On Feb 22nd the nosecone stack was lifted and placed onto the tank section, resulting in a fully stacked ship. March 7th: lifted off the welding turntable
S28High Bay 1Under constructionFebruary 7th Assorted parts spotted. On March 8th the nosecone was taken into High Bay 1.
S29+Build SiteParts under constructionAssorted parts spotted through S32.

 

BoosterLocationStatusComment
Pre-B7 & B8Scrapped or RetiredB4 is in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped.
B7Launch SiteOn OLM14-engine static fire on November 14, 11-engine SF on Nov 29, 31 engine SF on Feb 9. Orbital launch next.
B9High Bay 2Raptor InstallCryo testing (methane and oxygen) on Dec. 21 and Dec. 29. Rollback on Jan. 10. On March 7th Raptors started to be taken into High Bay 2 for B9.
B10High Bay 2 and Ring YardUnder construction20-ring LOX tank inside High Bay 2 and Methane tank (with grid fins installed) in the ring yard. On February 23rd B10's aft section was moved into High Bay 2 but later in the day was taken into Mid Bay and in the early hours of the 24th was moved into Tent 1.
B11+Build SiteParts under constructionAssorted parts spotted through B13.

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Resources

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Rules

We will attempt to keep this self-post current with links and major updates, but for the most part, we expect the community to supply the information. This is a great place to discuss Starship development, ask Starship-specific questions, and track the progress of the production and test campaigns. Starship Development Threads are not party threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.

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Posted Feb 9, 2023, 3:35 AM UTC · edited

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