SpaceX Starship : Texas Prototype(s) Thread 8 : Discussion

[Chris Bergin]

New thread for discussion of the Starship prototype being built in Boca Chica, Texas.  Previous posts on this prototype can be found in these threads:

Discussion 1

Discussion 2

Discussion 3

Discussion 4

Discussion 5

Discussion 6

Discussion 7

SpaceX BFS : Phase 2 - Starship Orbital Prototype(s) - Photos and Updates -1

SpaceX BFS : Phase 2 - Starship Orbital Prototype(s) - Photos and Updates -2 (Latest)

SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9

LOTS of videos - NSF Starship Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7SbFivj3VrmORg2b7wn4blFWf7pD_6-L

Subscribe and hit notifications for instant alerts of new videos as that'll be the first you'll see for a new video going live

--

L2 Boca Chica (intense level updates)
Now with advanced clips from Mary's videos and unique content.

RULES

Stay on topic (don't wander, use new or other threads).
Make sure your post is useful and adding something.
Failure to do so will see your post removed.

[denisjc]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

[Vettedrmr]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow." Susan Ivanova, B5 Commander.

[Tuna-Fish]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

[ach1000]

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

No boom, boom, or big bada boom?

My guess is similar to yours - static fire, but no 150m hop.

[WiresMN]

Looks like Mary snagged a photo of a new toy,
a Femco BMC-110R2 vertical milling machine.

YouTube video goodness:


Thank YOu BocaChicaGal for the great photo!

[ThatOldJanxSpirit]

And if anyone is wondering about the large grey boxes that were delivered they are from Oldcastle Infrastructure

https://oldcastleinfrastructure.com/

Who make things like valve boxes for protecting underground services.

[WiresMN]

could be a high voltage electrical vault. But I'm hoping for a communications vault at the launch site. A guy can dream!

[wannamoonbase]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

Multiple pressurization cycles and testing the fill and drain operations.

Working up to a static fire, maybe several static fires to characterize the stack and system response.

I'd like to see it fly.  Maybe it depends on how the previous tests go and when SN5 needs the stand.

[billh]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

I thought there was a thread for polls. Do we really need to do the poll here? Maybe in the party thread.

[moreno7798]

In line with Thread 7 we need a poll for the SN4 destiny 

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

Multiple pressurization cycles and testing the fill and drain operations.

Working up to a static fire, maybe several static fires to characterize the stack and system response.

I'd like to see it fly.  Maybe it depends on how the previous tests go and when SN5 needs the stand.

I'm guessing that if SpaceX does mid-level updates to the design for SN5/6, then the current nose cone will most likely be instaledl oneither of the next two SNs. If the nose cone goes on, then they will try to fly that vehicle. My theory is that SN6 and beyond is going to need an updated Nose cone.

[Ionmars]

From Bocachicagal:
Re: SpaceX Starship : Texas Prototype(s) Thread 2 : Photos and Updates
« Reply #2301 on: Today at 06:59 pm »
"Delivered this morning. Pics were taken from quite a distance. The trail that I would normally access the back of the site is no longer an option.”

For me, the No Trespassing sign was more distressing than a failed SN3.

[Vettedrmr]

There should be options beyond boom and no boom. My bet is that this is the version on which the engines will fire.

No boom, boom, or big bada boom?

My guess is similar to yours - static fire, but no 150m hop.

And yet another Ivanova quote:

"Boom. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom. BOOM! Have a nice day."

[rcoppola]

I don't think we've seen anything close to approaching a mature design for the cargo fairing section. Very early stages for that design and production.

-Header tank fuel and data runs
-Fairing to Tank connection interface.
-Hinge & Open/Close mechanics.
-Wing attachments, motors, etc...

[ShSch]

So the downcomer is already installed in SN04, as expected (the original picture is by Nomadd). I wish Elon would post a picture of what the methane header tank looks like inside now. I'm afraid he is not taking orders on this site, though

[Lars-J]

I saw this image on the update thread, and it seems to suggest a design change...  Note that the two COPVs are not 180 degree apart, like one would expect if they are to be hidden by raceway fairings.

So...
1) is this just a quick and dirty test mount for shorter hops and will be mounted elsewhere or inside the fairing later, or
2) Has Starship moved away from its current design that has fins on opposite edges?

[RotoSequence]

I saw this image on the update thread, and it seems to suggest a design change...  Note that the two COPVs are not 180 degree apart, like one would expect if they are to be hidden by raceway fairings.

So...
1) is this just a quick and dirty test mount for shorter hops and will be mounted elsewhere or inside the fairing later, or
2) Has Starship moved away from its current design that has fins on opposite edges?

My unprofessional opinion is biased towards either going inside the fairings, or new raceways are part of the design, along with aerostructures that are similar to the ruddervaters found on the X-37B.

[Oersted]

I did the poll about SN3 in the recently defunct thread. I'll do one for this one, since it seems some people would like it. Mods, feel free to delete it if you wish.

Three options this time, since that makes much more sense than just two.

[xvel]

I saw this image on the update thread, and it seems to suggest a design change...  Note that the two COPVs are not 180 degree apart, like one would expect if they are to be hidden by raceway fairings.

So...
1) is this just a quick and dirty test mount for shorter hops and will be mounted elsewhere or inside the fairing later, or
2) Has Starship moved away from its current design that has fins on opposite edges?

those copvs are just off the shelf parts like that tesla battery on top, nothing to do with final design

[moreno7798]

I saw this image on the update thread, and it seems to suggest a design change...  Note that the two COPVs are not 180 degree apart, like one would expect if they are to be hidden by raceway fairings.

So...
1) is this just a quick and dirty test mount for shorter hops and will be mounted elsewhere or inside the fairing later, or
2) Has Starship moved away from its current design that has fins on opposite edges?

...Or it might be a level 2 hopper without wings.