From what I’m hearing, a Nov. 6 SpaceX Starship launch date is off the table. But work continues and an attempt this month is still very much on the table as SpaceX and the FAA work closely together. The meeting with Elon and FAA officials last month was “cordial” and productive.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) folk are back out in force at Starbase this morning.nsf.live/starbase
Ship 25 appears to be about to destack from Booster 9 again. *This* time hopefully for the final time prior to launch.nsf.live/starbase
And that's five destacks for Ship 25 now. Chopsticks are getting a workout.By NSF's Elisar via nsf.live/starbase mostly to show the modifications Mechazilla has implemented during these stack/destacks.
Rounding up the path to a potential second flight of Starship in mid-November (pending FWS):
Second flight of Starship closing in on potential November launchwritten by Chris Bergin November 2, 2023
The second flight test of a fully integrated Starship could launch as soon as mid-November, pending regulatory approval → spacex.com
The second flight test of a fully integrated Starship could launch as soon as mid-November, pending regulatory approval.A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.Starship’s first flight test provided numerous lessons learned that directly contributed to several upgrades to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure to improve the probability of success on future flights. The second flight test will debut a hot-stage separation system and a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines, in addition to reinforcements to the pad foundation and a water-cooled steel flame deflector, among many other enhancements.This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond.
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT02:00:00 SpaceX Flight Director conducts poll and verifies GO for propellant load01:37:00 Booster LOX (liquid oxygen) load underway01:37:00 Booster fuel load (liquid methane) underway01:17:00 Ship fuel load (liquid methane) underway01:13:00 Ship LOX load underway00:19:40 Raptor begins engine chill on booster and ship00:00:10 Flame deflector activation00:00:03 Raptor ignition sequence begins00:00:00 Excitement guaranteed
HR/MIN/SEC EVENT00:00:02 Liftoff00:00:52 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)00:02:39 Booster MECO (most engines cut off)00:02:41 Hot-staging (Starship Raptor ignition and stage separation)00:02:53 Booster boostback burn startup00:03:47 Booster boostback burn shutdown00:06:18 Booster is transonic00:06:30 Booster landing burn startup00:06:48 Booster landing burn shutdown00:08:33 Starship engine cutoff01:17:21 Starship entry01:28:43 Starship is transonic01:30:00 An exciting landing!
So, there's a big net under Booster 9 on the OLM.That's new.nsf.live/starbase
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1720610186434334800QuoteSo, there's a big net under Booster 9 on the OLM.That's new.nsf.live/starbase
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/04/2023 05:37 amQuoteSo, there's a big net under Booster 9 on the OLM.That's new.nsf.live/starbaseThat explains the cables that were mounted on the legs a week ago that I brought up on this posthttps://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58722.msg2535784#msg2535784They can bring the netting up and down via the cable pairs on each leg to the stop bracket at the top. My guess is there was something that fell and damaged the water plate and this may be just a safety net to catch loose tools etc.
QuoteSo, there's a big net under Booster 9 on the OLM.That's new.nsf.live/starbase
Booster 9's had the bottom of its chines reinstalled.nsf.live/starbase
A NOTAM has been posted for Mexican airspace for the next launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket. The notice is valid from November 13th to 18th with daily windows running from 7AM CST to 9:39AM CST (13:00-15:39 UTC).
Foreign airspace NOTAM of interest for a possible Starship test launch that aligns with road closures (final launch license approvals still pending)Please excuse the crudity of the map render, I did not have time to paint it or resolve some glitches in the data.
Mechazilla's chopsticks have been raised up on Ship 25.Still too early for FTS (Flight Termination System) install, but everything is lining up for next week. The launch license is the big ticket watch item.nsf.live/starbase
They are replacing the few missing tiles on Ship 25:
X marks the spot. Tiles back on, with some sticky tape to keep them in place while they bond.nsf.live/starbase
