Regarding the launch license, there is no known reason why SpaceX cannot launch within days of receiving it. If you wait for it, you may be planning too late! That is why we are now going with April 10. If they get the license this week. Early next is possible.
That said, due to the nature of the beast, do not be surprised if there are considerable delays. Plan accordingly!
In the event of a scrubbed launch attempt for the first Starship Orbital Flight Test, it will take at least 3 days to top off the Orbital Tank Farm. This is based on the number of tankers needed to refill the storage tanks after the Wet Dress Rehearsal
I’d also imagine fuel conditioning with subcooled and methane could be a factor too. Speculation, but from experience with methane we saw this too.
Hi Tim! Are you able to expand on this a little more? I've actually been really curious about this topic.
Talked about it a little in our Terran 1 launch thread, but tldr if they are using liquid natural gas and not pure methane (likely, because it’s so much cheaper, but I don’t know for sure) then it has a small but significant quantity of other longer chain hydrocarbons like ethane, butane, propane, etc that will preferentially boil off slower than methane, so methane concentration goes down in ground storage tanks over time, and you must take this into account for recycle attempts on scrubs for the rocket. Depends on GSE design, there are ways to mitigate this and I have no clue if they have, but just mentioning it’s a factor. Subcooling also adds complexity to this to get temperatures right, but does help freeze out some contaminants.
The real risk I have heard about is a last-minute civil lawsuit. In this scenario, the FAA issues the license and a civil suit is immediately filed for environmental reasons. It is possible a judge would issue a temporary injunction.
Eric Berger says:QuoteThe real risk I have heard about is a last-minute civil lawsuit. In this scenario, the FAA issues the license and a civil suit is immediately filed for environmental reasons. It is possible a judge would issue a temporary injunction.So who is behind this possible lawsuit? I'd guess either Boca Chica locals, or one of SpX's competitors trying to harm their efforts. Anyone know more?Ross.
Quote from: kraisee on 04/05/2023 03:27 amEric Berger says:QuoteThe real risk I have heard about is a last-minute civil lawsuit. In this scenario, the FAA issues the license and a civil suit is immediately filed for environmental reasons. It is possible a judge would issue a temporary injunction.So who is behind this possible lawsuit? I'd guess either Boca Chica locals, or one of SpX's competitors trying to harm their efforts. Anyone know more?Ross.I would expect it's neither, but an outside environmental group. If it happens.
Last evening a single SPMT was moved to the Launch Complex to later take the Raptor Installation Platform back to the Shipyard. 📷: @LabPadre
Quote from: Robotbeat on 04/05/2023 04:21 amQuote from: kraisee on 04/05/2023 03:27 amEric Berger says:QuoteThe real risk I have heard about is a last-minute civil lawsuit. In this scenario, the FAA issues the license and a civil suit is immediately filed for environmental reasons. It is possible a judge would issue a temporary injunction.So who is behind this possible lawsuit? I'd guess either Boca Chica locals, or one of SpX's competitors trying to harm their efforts. Anyone know more?Ross.I would expect it's neither, but an outside environmental group. If it happens.And if you follow the money. . .
This could/will be a historic moment for spaceflight and I expect more from this forum than some low level conspiracy BS.Let's all take a higher road please.
With the Starship launch getting closer, it’s time to go over previous rockets, and how SpaceX can learn from them to prevent scrubs! Link: youtu.be/KGhwD0b_m1EHosted and written by @thenasaman Produced by @kmreed Edited by @dpoddolphinpro
With Starship’s launch finally getting closer, many have been wondering about the onboard cameras. There are many on Starship and Superheavy, and while we don’t know about all of them, let’s look at the ones we do. (1/11)📸 @CosmicalChiefAll renders provided by @ChameleonCir
Starting on the Ship, there is a downwards-facing camera located on the underside of one of the forward flaps. This will give a nice extended view out from the side of the vehicle. You may remember seeing a similar view on SN15's flight test. (2/11)📸 @RGVaerialphotos
There are 2 more cameras located on the side of the Ship, embedded in this triangular block. One is watching a forward flap, and the other is watching an aft flap. These cameras will likely be useful during the reentry phase. (3/11)📸 @RGVaerialphotos
2 more are located on the side of the Ship facing outwards. It's unclear what these are watching, but they should provide some cool views. You can just see the lenses behind the transparent covers. (4/11)📸 @RGVaerialphotos
Moving down the Ship further, there are internal tank cameras confirmed to be in the CH4 tank of the vehicle. It's not entirely clear if there is one in the LOX tank, but it may look like the pictured render. (5/11)📸 @RGVaerialphotos
Inside the skirt, there is at least 1 camera positioned to watch the 6 Raptor engines during the flight. This view was seen a lot on the Suborbital Flight Tests, and that view certainly hasn't gone away. (6/11)📸 @SpaceX
Now, these are just the confirmed cameras on the Ship. There are likely others in the skirt, Payload Bay, and other areas, but we can only confirm that once we see evidence of them. Either way, let's move on to the Superheavy Booster. (7/11)
There is a camera placed inside the Booster's interstage that can see both stages of the vehicle. This may be one of the angles we see during stage separation on ascent. (8/11)📸 @SpaceX
Another camera is located above one of the Booster's grid fins and load points. This view is at an angle and should look something like this. During the descent, this may be one of the views we get to see. (9/11)📸 @RGVaerialphotos @SpaceX
Like the Ship, the Booster also has internal tank cameras. One is confirmed to be in the CH4 tank, and it remains unconfirmed if others are in the LOX tank or other areas. The LOX tank render pictured is speculative, as with the Ship. (10/11)📸 @SpaceX
These are many of the onboard cameras that we know of, but there are certainly many more that have gone unnoticed. Remember that many of these may be kept as engineering cameras only, but we can hope for as many views as possible! (11/11)
Clickbait title!! (I clicked LOL.)
Quote from: Robotbeat on 04/05/2023 04:21 amQuote from: kraisee on 04/05/2023 03:27 amEric Berger says:QuoteThe real risk I have heard about is a last-minute civil lawsuit. In this scenario, the FAA issues the license and a civil suit is immediately filed for environmental reasons. It is possible a judge would issue a temporary injunction.So who is behind this possible lawsuit? I'd guess either Boca Chica locals, or one of SpX's competitors trying to harm their efforts. Anyone know more?Ross.I would expect it's neither, but an outside environmental group. If it happens.I would guess an environmental group focused on protecting the AMAZON.... Or an affiliated group with a similar ORIGIN... Hint, hint, wink, wink....(Just kidding)
