Approximately half an hour ago, SpaceX lifted B14.1 off of the OLM after it's slap testing campaign today. With a road delay tonight, I would expect B14.1 to potentially roll back soon.Watch live on @NASASpaceflight's Starbase Livensf.live/starbase
After completing another set of testing with the chopsticks, B14.1 has been rolled back to the production site at Starbase. It remains to be seen what future plans SpaceX has for this test tank. @NASASpaceflight Starbase Live nsf.live/starbase
Paint is being stripped from over all the weld marks on the long vertical supports of the Chopsticks. This may be for inspecting the welds to make sure the arms don't collapse during the catch attempt.Given the location, its also possible they are planning to add additional bracing to help strengthen Mechazilla's "shoulder muscles".📸: @LabPadre
Well, we now have our answer...large weld doubler plates are being installed over all of the seems on the vertical members of the chopsticks. They kind of look like massive stitches. This should reinforce the "shoulder muscles" and make them more resistant to buckling.I was originally expecting full collars to go over the welds, but this is a lot more tedious. Currently it looks like these are just being spot welded in place. They may go back later and weld around the full perimeter of each plate.There are at least 32 areas so far where this reinforcement will be added. It appears there will be about 12 doubler plates on each seam for a total of ~384. Assuming these take about an hour each, I think this may take at least 2 weeks to finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see them add these in other locations as well!Its insane how much the chopsticks have been beefed up in the last few months! They are taking this very seriously📽️: @LabPadre
Cool new Mechazilla decal added on S30. 🚀🔥@NASASpaceflight
Statement from the @FAANews about @SpaceX Flight 5 of Starship. The FAA is evaluating the SpaceX proposed modifications of the launch license. @NASASpaceflight
"The FAA is evaluating SpaceX's proposed license modification for its Starship Flight 5 mission. SpaceX must meet all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements prior to FAA authorization. Safety will drive the timeline. Please contact SpaceX for information about the proposed changes to its license."The FAA responding to NSF
At NAC-HEO, Cathy Koerner (head of ESDMD) says they are looking forward to SpaceX's 5th Starship test "later this fall."
BQD testing on @LabPadre #R2 (real time with audio). Early signs that SpaceX may be approaching the end of the modifications done recently at the Launch Pad. Let's hope the next round of catch testing proves successful and they can, at last, bring launch vehicles back.
More Mechazilla Booster Catching testing is going on at Starbase Tower 1.This was the fastest the chopsticks have closed in the catch position on the tower so far. Since then, the sticks have lowered, as if with a caught booster.nsf.live/starbase
Some really fascinating details here. Chief among them is that the current *estimate* for a license for Flight 5 is late November. Give it a read!
Landing Rails on the Mechazilla chopsticks, time-lapsed:nsf.live/starbase
That was a speedy test from the chopsticks!Real time:nsf.live/starbase
Booster 12 has rolled out of Megabay 1 this evening and is expected to roll out to the launch complex overnight. Some new black-painted stringers have been added. 9/19/24
Booster 12, led by its Hot Staging Ring (HSR), is heading to the launch site, with Ship 30 potentially rolling later, too.Live Commentary on X and YT:youtube.com/watch?v=XwNOPP…