SpaceX Tuesday...

[Beati Dogu]

The nose cone section in the test frame is technically from SN12.

Built before they decided to skip from SN11 directly to SN15.

Smiljan said:

Someone has done a nice infographic on what to expect if all goes to plan

I wouldn't mind that as a poster.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Wednesday 28th April 11:57

[MartG]

When they test fly the first booster, I wonder if they'll fit a temporary nose section for aerodynamic reasons, and to act as a mass simulator

[Beati Dogu]

I expect they'll stick a Starship on top of it and test them both a the same time.

[GTO-3R]

Beati Dogu said:

I expect they'll stick a Starship on top of it and test them both a the same time.

They can really test landing a booster with Starship on top though surely!

[AJLintern]

Perhaps they'll separate and land side by side

[Beati Dogu]

Well yeah. Dual landings for the win.

[MiniMan64]

AJLintern said:

Perhaps they'll separate and land side by side

That would be something to see..

[annodomini2]

Beati Dogu said:

I expect they'll stick a Starship on top of it and test them both a the same time.

Not sure, don't think they have enough engines atm

[eharding]

MiniMan64 said:

AJLintern said:

Perhaps they'll separate and land side by side

That would be something to see..

The inevitable RUD - and they're bound to have at least one - would be something to hear as well. It'll probably be audible from here in Devon.

Time to invest in window repair companies in the Boca Chica area.

[GTO-3R]

AJLintern said:

Perhaps they'll separate and land side by side

The SpaceX twitterverse would go in to complete meltdown

[RobDickinson]

So the plan for Falcon 9's is to carry on launching starlinks on them until one fails.

[GTO-3R]

Routine launch, land and deploy again!

[annodomini2]

RobDickinson said:

So the plan for Falcon 9's is to carry on launching starlinks on them until one fails.

Makes sense, if you want to prove reusability you need data.

As there is really only SpaceX reusing orbital class rockets.

With Rocket Lab due to start.

There isn't much data to understand the limits of rocket reusability.

This approach is inline with SpaceX's development philosophy.

[MartG]

I suspect that they'll be giving them a pretty good inspection between launches, especially as the number of launches by an individual booster increases, so any obvious fault will either be rectified or cause the booster to be retired.

[C n C]

Apparently the FAA has given advanced approval for the next 3 SpaceX launches, although SN16 and SN17 may be subject to further conditions depending on what happens with SN15.

News article here.

[MartG]

Looking like SN15 may fly today - livestream starts 15:00 BST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXG7W7skekw

[jingars]

Cheers for the heads-up on that

[anonymous-user]

Looks like 16:00 now.

[annodomini2]

garyhun said:

Looks like 16:00 now.

My launch app states 1800, Nasa space flight say afternoon.

[anonymous-user]

annodomini2 said:

garyhun said:

Looks like 16:00 now.

My launch app states 1800, Nasa space flight say afternoon.

Yep, keeps going back.