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ElongatedMuskrat

Starship Development Thread #50

Pinned🔧 Technical

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SpaceX Starship page

FAQ

  1. When is the next Integrated Flight Test (IFT-2)? Originally anticipated during 2nd half of September, but FAA administrators' statements regarding the launch license and Fish & Wildlife review imply October or possibly later. Musk stated on Aug 23 simply, "Next Starship launch soon" and the launch pad appears ready. Earlier Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) warnings gave potential dates in September that are now passed.
  2. Next steps before flight? Complete building/testing deluge system (done), Booster 9 tests at build site (done), simultaneous static fire/deluge tests (1 completed), and integrated B9/S25 tests (stacked on Sep 5). Non-technical milestones include requalifying the flight termination system, the FAA post-incident review, and obtaining an FAA launch license. It does not appear that the lawsuit alleging insufficient environmental assessment by the FAA or permitting for the deluge system will affect the launch timeline.
  3. What ship/booster pair will be launched next? SpaceX confirmed that Booster 9/Ship 25 will be the next to fly. OFT-3 expected to be Booster 10, Ship 28 per a recent NSF Roundup.
  4. Why is there no flame trench under the launch mount? Boca Chica's environmentally-sensitive wetlands make excavations difficult, so SpaceX's Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) holds Starship's engines ~20m above ground--higher than Saturn V's 13m-deep flame trench. Instead of two channels from the trench, its raised design allows pressure release in 360 degrees. The newly-built flame deflector uses high pressure water to act as both a sound suppression system and deflector. SpaceX intends the deflector/deluge's massive steel plates, supported by 50 meter-deep pilings, ridiculous amounts of rebar, concrete, and Fondag, to absorb the engines' extreme pressures and avoid the pad damage seen in IFT-1.

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Quick Links

^(RAPTOR ROOST) ^| ^(LAB CAM) ^| ^(SAPPHIRE CAM) ^| ^(SENTINEL CAM) ^| ^(ROVER CAM) ^| ^(ROVER 2.0 CAM) ^| ^(PLEX CAM) ^| ^(HOOP CAM) ^| ^(NSF STARBASE)

Starship Dev 48 | Starship Dev 47 | Starship Dev 46 | Starship Thread List

Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread

Status

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

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Road & Beach Closure

TypeStart (UTC)End (UTC)Status
Primary2023-10-09 13:00:002023-10-10 01:00:00Scheduled. Boca Chica Beach and Hwy 4 will be Closed.
Alternative2023-10-10 13:00:002023-10-11 01:00:00Possible
Alternative2023-10-11 13:00:002023-10-12 01:00:00Possible

No transportation delays currently scheduled

Up to date as of 2023-10-09

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Vehicle Status

As of September 5, 2023

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ShipLocationStatusComment
Pre-S24, 27Scrapped or RetiredS20 is in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped. S27 likely scrapped likely due to implosion of common dome.
S24Bottom of Gulf of MexicoDestroyedApril 20th (IFT-1): Destroyed by flight termination system 3:59 after a successful launch. Booster "sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster" which led to loss of vehicle control and ultimate flight termination.
S25OLMDe-stackedReadying for launch (IFT-2). Completed 5 cryo tests, 1 spin prime, and 1 static fire.
S26Test Stand BTesting(?)Possible static fire? No fins or heat shield, plus other changes. Completed 2 cryo tests.
S28Massey'sRaptor installCryo test on July 28. Raptor install began Aug 17. Completed 2 cryo tests.
S29Massey'sTestingFully stacked, lower flaps being installed as of Sep 5. Moved to Massey's on Sep 22.
S30High BayUnder constructionFully stacked, awaiting lower flaps.
S31High BayUnder constructionStacking in progress.
S32-34Build SiteIn piecesParts visible at Build and Sanchez sites.

 

BoosterLocationStatusComment
Pre-B7 & B8Scrapped or RetiredB4 is in the Rocket Garden, the rest are scrapped.
B7Bottom of Gulf of MexicoDestroyedApril 20th (IFT-1): Destroyed by flight termination system 3:59 after a successful launch. Booster "sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster" which led to loss of vehicle control and ultimate flight termination.
B9OLMActive testingReadying for launch (IFT-2). Completed 2 cryo tests, then static fire with deluge on Aug 7. Rolled back to production site on Aug 8. Hot staging ring installed on Aug 17, then rolled back to OLM on Aug 22. Spin prime on Aug 23. Stacked with S25 on Sep 5.
B10MegabayEngine Install?Completed 2 cryo tests. Moved to Massey's on Sep 11, back to Megabay Sep 20.
B11MegabayFinalizingAppears complete, except for raptors, hot stage ring, and cryo testing. Moved to megabay Sep 12.
B12MegabayUnder constructionAppears fully stacked, except for raptors and hot stage ring.
B13+Build SiteParts under constructionAssorted parts spotted through B15.

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If this page needs a correction please consider pitching in. Update this thread via this wiki page. If you would like to make an update but don't see an edit button on the wiki page, message the mods via modmail or contact u/strawwalker.

Resources

r/SpaceX Discuss Thread for discussion of subjects other than Starship development.

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 Oct 9, 2023, 3:39 AM UTC

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