SpaceX (Vol. 2)
Discussion
Beati Dogu said:
Crew 4 launched and are on their way to the ISS now. They should arrive early tomorrow morning UK time.
The booster landed successfully as well. Its 4th flight.
Those flames licking around the bottom of it on landing looked unusual - however it was a night landing so maybe that was why it was more normal.The booster landed successfully as well. Its 4th flight.
I noticed that this one didn't have the normal "timeline" running along the bottom of the screen (MaxQ, MECO etc) and also the altitude and speed of the first stage. I wonder if this is a permanent change? I quite liked it - the first stage info particularly.
The FAA were supposed to have their report out yesterday, but the foot dragging continues:
"The FAA says it’s working toward finalizing Starship Environmental Assessment but is now delayed to May 31 because “SpaceX made multiple changes to its application that require additional FAA analysis. The agency continues to review around 18,000 general public comments.”"
- Christian Davenport, Space reporter at The Washington Post.
Again, not that it really matters. They're clearly not ready to launch Starship anytime soon.
"The FAA says it’s working toward finalizing Starship Environmental Assessment but is now delayed to May 31 because “SpaceX made multiple changes to its application that require additional FAA analysis. The agency continues to review around 18,000 general public comments.”"
- Christian Davenport, Space reporter at The Washington Post.
Again, not that it really matters. They're clearly not ready to launch Starship anytime soon.
Why is it foot dragging when it clearly says Spacex have made numerous changes to the application that need assessment?
As you say it’s all irrelevant, Spacex will be lucky if they are in a position to launch a test flight at all this year with the current issues they have.
Perhaps another more valid narrative is that SpaceX are making minimal efforts in their applications and instead see the Cape in Florida as the more viable launch and development location?
https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013435/spacex-...
What do you think?
As you say it’s all irrelevant, Spacex will be lucky if they are in a position to launch a test flight at all this year with the current issues they have.
Perhaps another more valid narrative is that SpaceX are making minimal efforts in their applications and instead see the Cape in Florida as the more viable launch and development location?
https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013435/spacex-...
What do you think?
Smiljan said:
Why is it foot dragging when it clearly says Spacex have made numerous changes to the application that need assessment?
As you say it’s all irrelevant, Spacex will be lucky if they are in a position to launch a test flight at all this year with the current issues they have.
Perhaps another more valid narrative is that SpaceX are making minimal efforts in their applications and instead see the Cape in Florida as the more viable launch and development location?
https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013435/spacex-...
What do you think?
I'd say more likely is that Boca chica will end up being an R&D site.As you say it’s all irrelevant, Spacex will be lucky if they are in a position to launch a test flight at all this year with the current issues they have.
Perhaps another more valid narrative is that SpaceX are making minimal efforts in their applications and instead see the Cape in Florida as the more viable launch and development location?
https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013435/spacex-...
What do you think?
With commercial operations from the Cape.
I think they're having more issues with launch infrastructure than they are making public.
Methane tanks needing to be replaced, changes to the QD arms etc.
The launch stand is still being developed, I expect they'll cover all the control systems around the ring when finished.
Flooble said:
Is that the highest number of flights for a booster? I am sure they originally only expected ten. So I assume we're now into "fly it until something breaks" territory.
They are still regulated by the FAA, they have to make statistical justifications as to why the booster shouldn't be any more likely to fail than a new off the production line booster. I would be surprised if they loose one due to a known failure mode like high or low cycle fatigue or similar, more likely they will simply discover more failure modes from refurbishment like the rocket which lost an engine on the way up due to cleaning fluid in its pipe works. Flooble said:
Is that the highest number of flights for a booster? I am sure they originally only expected ten. So I assume we're now into "fly it until something breaks" territory.
Two others (B1051 and B1060) recently made their twelfth flights. Hopefully B1058 were join them tomorrow. You're right that the original goal was to get 10 flights out of them. They haven't identified any showstoppers so far so they're going to keep using them for Starlink launches.
They don't have them scheduled for 13th flights yet but there are several upcoming launches that haven't been assigned boosters yet.
It's handy they can keep pushing the envelope with their own Starlink satellites on board and they don't have to risk a customer payload while they do it.
They keep the refurb process very close to their chest, but basically they treat them like aircraft now. Parts and engines will be replaced and refurbed on a minutes flown or duty cycle basis. Another big advantage of getting things back in one piece, is that they can find out what needs strengthening or redesigning to make it better overall.
The factory can concentrate on mostly building upper stages and the occasional new booster.
They keep the refurb process very close to their chest, but basically they treat them like aircraft now. Parts and engines will be replaced and refurbed on a minutes flown or duty cycle basis. Another big advantage of getting things back in one piece, is that they can find out what needs strengthening or redesigning to make it better overall.
The factory can concentrate on mostly building upper stages and the occasional new booster.
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