Are you sure it needs 6 raptors when it will have zero payload ?
Quote from: Alberto-Girardi on 05/16/2021 06:07 pmQuote from: andyr on 05/16/2021 06:02 pmWill it have grid fins.As SS won't have a payload, you'd imagine they could have far fewer Raptors on BN3.You could also ask if SN20 will *only* have vacuum raptors if its not going to try and land.there isn't enough space for three vacum raptor in the center of the skirt.I didn't say they should be in the centre. I'm saying in their proper position, but without the 3 centre gimbaling raptors.
Quote from: andyr on 05/16/2021 06:02 pmWill it have grid fins.As SS won't have a payload, you'd imagine they could have far fewer Raptors on BN3.You could also ask if SN20 will *only* have vacuum raptors if its not going to try and land.there isn't enough space for three vacum raptor in the center of the skirt.
Will it have grid fins.As SS won't have a payload, you'd imagine they could have far fewer Raptors on BN3.You could also ask if SN20 will *only* have vacuum raptors if its not going to try and land.
Will it have grid fins.
You could also ask if SN20 will *only* have vacuum raptors if its not going to try and land.
Quote from: andyr on 05/16/2021 06:23 pmAre you sure it needs 6 raptors when it will have zero payload ?Not 100% sure, but these prototypes so far are heavier than they want to make the final Starships.And there is no realistic option to mount 4 or 5 engines. It needs to be 3 or 6. And I don’t think 3 would be sufficient even if tanks are half full.
LabPabre shows a launch date of NET June 20th. Where did he get this from?
So... SpaceX has filed for an FCC STA for the first "Starship Orbital test flight", NET June 20th, 2021.QuoteThe Starship Orbital test flight will originate from Starbase, TX. The Booster stage will separate approximately 170 seconds into flight. The Booster will then perform a partial return and land in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 20 miles from the shore. The Orbital Starship will continue on flying between the Florida Straits. It will achieve orbit until performing a powered, targeted landing approximately 100km (~62 miles) off the northwest coast of Kauai in a soft ocean landing.https://fcc.report/ELS/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp-SpaceX/0748-EX-ST-2021
The Starship Orbital test flight will originate from Starbase, TX. The Booster stage will separate approximately 170 seconds into flight. The Booster will then perform a partial return and land in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 20 miles from the shore. The Orbital Starship will continue on flying between the Florida Straits. It will achieve orbit until performing a powered, targeted landing approximately 100km (~62 miles) off the northwest coast of Kauai in a soft ocean landing.
According to Val's source either 16 or 18 Raptors for BN3.
This has the feel of just trying to get a grip on SH handing characteristics without endangering their shiny new launch platform and tower, located just next door to the landing pad. Bringing it back within 20 miles and picking a spot to hit on the water will prove out models and characteristics quite well. As for Starship, they're probably concerned about the TPS - if it allows partial damage, controlling the fall back to Earth could well be problematic. Dump her in the ocean for piece of mind, you know she can land if everything else is good after a re-entry.I like the plan, but do wish they could find a way to try to save some Raptors. But, in the big scheme, these Raptors have already been written off in the name of forward testing...
Quote from: VaBlue on 05/13/2021 07:16 pmThis has the feel of just trying to get a grip on SH handing characteristics without endangering their shiny new launch platform and tower, located just next door to the landing pad. Bringing it back within 20 miles and picking a spot to hit on the water will prove out models and characteristics quite well. As for Starship, they're probably concerned about the TPS - if it allows partial damage, controlling the fall back to Earth could well be problematic. Dump her in the ocean for piece of mind, you know she can land if everything else is good after a re-entry.I like the plan, but do wish they could find a way to try to save some Raptors. But, in the big scheme, these Raptors have already been written off in the name of forward testing...Hopefully they fish it (and the Hawaii-bound Starship) out of the water if only to prevent somebody else from doing that. (And they would.)
The lessons of landing F9 have been learned. Super Heavy requires engineering work because it is a different vehicle, but it is basically an overgrown F9. There's a pretty good chance a prototype with legs will successfully land the first time they try it. Whether SpaceX tries this time is more of a schedule and resource issue.
Since the Starship will be expended, I think it's likely they'll only fly with 3 SL Raptors. They can add the 3 vacuum Raptors when they try to land the Starship.Hopefully they successfully land the Super Heavy, so the test might only expend three Raptors.
Since the Starship will be expended, I think it's likely they'll only fly with 3 SL Raptors. They can add the 3 vacuum Raptors when they try to land the Starship.
According to this picture taken by Mary maybe BN3 will have more than 18 Raptor SL ?
Quote from: BZHSpace on 05/17/2021 01:02 pmAccording to this picture taken by Mary maybe BN3 will have more than 18 Raptor SL ?9 fully visible pairs of non-gimbal-non-throttle Raptor ports (one for fuel & one for oxidiser each) means a ring of at least 18, possibly 19 or 20 depending on lens focal length. 8 angled ports on the thrust puck matches the expected 8 gimbalable-and-throttleable Raptors in the centre cluster.So somewhere between 26 and 28 raptors still seems to be the target as of that particular dome being completed. No guarantees that dome hasn't since been quietly scrapped for a newer design, though.