SpaceX is making significant developments at Starbase, including implementing further protection and strengthening systems, expanding the Starfactory, and planning engine testing at Masseys, while Elon Musk believes that Starlink is the only viable option for solving issues with technology being launched into orbit
Questions to inspire discussion
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What significant developments are happening at Starbase?
—SpaceX is implementing further protection and strengthening systems, expanding the Starfactory, and planning engine testing at Masseys.
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What changes are happening at the Starbase site?
—Starbase equipment was destroyed, and there are massive site changes coming, including new beam design and potential for glass siding.
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What is Elon Musk's view on solving technology issues in orbit?
—Elon Musk believes that Starlink is the only viable option for solving issues with technology being launched into orbit.
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What is SpaceX's approach to booster testing?
—SpaceX is making changes to their typical booster testing process, with Booster 12 skipping the cryogenic proofing test before engine installation.
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What are the recent developments in the space industry?
—SpaceX has signed a contract with Amazon for launches, acquired Pioneer Aerospace, and RocketLab is back in action.
Key Insights
- 🌌 A tail of destruction, reconfiguration, and head scratching updates around Starbase - never a boring week of space news in 2023.
- 🚀 SpaceX is implementing further protection and strengthening systems to avoid extensive refurbishment campaigns for future launches.
- 🚀 The shaking of windows at mission control during booster 7's launch highlights the potential impact of larger windows coming loose during rocket launches.
- 🏗️ The Starfactory keeps on growing, with new major beams being added, suggesting massive site changes are coming.
- 🚀 Masseys will be the site for engine testing, indicating significant developments in SpaceX's Starbase project.
- 🛰️ Elon Musk believes that Starlink is the only viable option to solve issues with technology being launched into orbit multiple times almost every week, with over 5,200 satellites providing worldwide service.
- 🚀 Elon Musk suggests dissolving the program and returning funds to taxpayers rather than allocating it to less capable options, sparking controversy over the future of space exploration funding.
- 🔍 Clear anomaly review by Rocket Lab provided valuable insights into the cause of the mission failure, demonstrating the importance of thorough investigation and problem-solving in the aerospace industry.
- 🔥 The engine burned for a total of 10 seconds at about 70% power before shutting down, with the next tests pushing longer and harder.
#SpaceX #Starbase
Clips
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00:00 🚀 Starbase equipment destroyed, massive site changes coming, SpaceX performed tests and repairs, significant changes at Gateway to Mars site, demolition of Suborbital Pad A and maintenance on Suborbital Pad B.
- Starbase equipment was destroyed and there are massive site changes coming.
- SpaceX performed tests on the Booster Quick Disconnect and repaired the Ship Quick Disconnect in place without removing it.
- The crane detached, Ship QD is level again, and there will be significant changes at the Gateway to Mars site.
- SpaceX crew demolished Suborbital Pad A and conducted maintenance on Suborbital Pad B, possibly making way for new structures or redesign of the area.
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03:23 🚀 SpaceX made significant site changes, including moving ships and adding Christmas decorations, with Ship 26 potentially being scrapped.
- SpaceX moved ships to make room for Ship 28, and added Christmas decorations to the launch site before moving Ship 28 onto the pad.
- Ship 30 was moved to the test stand B after Ship 29 was rearranged and had some tiles removed for testing.
- Ship 26 was moved to a holding spot in the Rocket Garden after being hooked up to a load spreader on the crane, and it is speculated that it will eventually be scrapped.
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05:55 🚀 SpaceX Starbase equipment destroyed, major site changes coming with new beam design and potential for glass siding, along with changes to booster testing process.
- Large windows have been installed at Megabay Number 2 to ensure everything is secure before the next integrated flight test.
- Starbase equipment destroyed, major site changes coming with new beam design and potential for glass siding, along with beautiful aerial and visual images available.
- SpaceX is making changes to their typical booster testing process, with Booster 12 skipping the cryogenic proofing test before engine installation.
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08:57 🚀 SpaceX Starbase equipment destroyed and massive site changes coming, including installation of subchillers, arrival of large tanks and a Starship tower section, and scrapping of Booster 7.1 test tank, while Falcon Heavy launch was delayed multiple times and eventually rolled back into SpaceX hanger.
- 33 Raptor engines were installed for a structural test, and by installing engines on new boosters from the start, SpaceX can save time and avoid disruption between production and launch sites.
- SpaceX Starbase equipment was destroyed and there are massive site changes coming.
- SpaceX's Starbase site at Masseys is undergoing significant changes, including the installation of subchillers, the arrival of large tanks and a Starship tower section, and the scrapping of the Booster 7.1 test tank.
- Falcon Heavy launch was delayed multiple times due to poor weather and ground side issues, and was eventually rolled back into the SpaceX hanger.
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12:45 🚀 SpaceX's Starlink missions delayed, funding denied by FCC, but Elon Musk believes Starlink is the best solution for global access to communication.
- Starlink Group 6-34 and 7-9 missions were delayed due to weather, and SpaceX had funding denied by the FCC for $885 million to expand their network, but Elon Musk believes Starlink is the only viable option to solve these issues.
- Elon Musk suggests that if government funding for SpaceX is allocated to another competitor, it would be a waste, and the FCC is considering future funding rounds due to slower progress with the Starlink Version 2 satellites.
- SpaceX is rapidly building and will launch modified satellites for the Starlink Group 7-9 mission, providing global access to texting, calling, and browsing.
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15:09 🚀 SpaceX signed Amazon contract, acquired Pioneer Aerospace, RocketLab had mission failure but issue fixed.
- SpaceX has signed a contract with Amazon for launches, acquired Pioneer Aerospace, and RocketLab is back in action.
- Rocket Lab's Electron launch pad experienced an anomaly causing a mission failure, but the issue has been fixed to prevent it from happening again.
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17:01 🚀 Japanese company Institute for iQPS is building a QPS-SAR satellite, Stoke Space is making progress on their rockets, New Aeon R engine tested at NASA, Vulcan Centaur's first mission delayed, next lunar lander mission window on January 8, Blue Origin's New Shepard launching on December 18.
- Japanese company Institute for iQPS is building a QPS-SAR satellite for an earth observation constellation, while Stoke Space is making progress on their first and second stage prototypes for their rockets.
- New Aeon R engine tested at NASA's Stennis Space Center, designed to be 25% more powerful than previous engines, with 13 engines to power Terran R's first stage.
- Vulcan Centaur's first mission is delayed due to additional testing, causing the launch window for the Peregrine lander to be missed.
- The next available window for the lunar lander mission is on January 8, and Blue Origin's New Shepard is launching on December 18 with an uncrewed mission.
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20:33 🚀 Subscribe for space updates and support the channel on Patreon, YouTube, or X. Thanks for watching!
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