SpaceX is making significant progress in the testing and construction of Starship at the Starbase, including preparations for propellant transfer demos and the development of a long endurance Starship for future missions to Mars
Questions to inspire discussion
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What progress is SpaceX making with Starship at the Starbase?
—SpaceX is making significant progress in testing and construction at the Starbase, including preparations for propellant transfer demos and the development of a long endurance Starship for future missions to Mars.
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What is being built at Massey, and what is its purpose?
—A new mystery structure is being built at Massey, and while its purpose is still unknown, it could potentially be a new structural test stand.
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What precautions is SpaceX taking for safety and cleanliness during production and testing?
—SpaceX is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and cleanliness of its hardware during early production and testing, with interesting changes spotted on booster 13.
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What is SpaceX doing to prepare for propellant transfer demos?
—SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos and testing booster 13 for cryogenic proof testing at the Starbase.
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What is the significance of the propellant transfer demonstration missions?
—Propellant transfer demonstration missions are crucial for NASA's Artemis program and SpaceX's goal of sending Starship to Mars and building a colony there, with SpaceX covering the progress and keeping viewers informed.
Key Insights
- 🔥 Testing is underway for future vehicles and there's interesting information from NASA about SpaceX's and Starship's near-term plans for development of the program.
- 🛠️ The two barrel section with an elliptical Dome on top and visible stringers around the Dome weld line suggests advanced construction and inspection processes for SpaceX's starship propellant transfer demos.
- 🛠️ The new location of the flight termination system and methane tank vents on booster 13 demonstrates SpaceX's dedication to safety and efficiency in their testing and production processes.
- 🛢️ The decision to scrap the vertical tank highlights the constant evolution and adaptation of infrastructure at Starbase, reflecting the dynamic nature of SpaceX's operations.
- 🚀 SpaceX is planning a propellant transfer demonstration between two ships, requiring the development and flight of the next version of booster and ship.
- 🚀 SpaceX's successful propellant transfer demo during flight 3 is a promising step towards future space missions and refueling in orbit.
- 🚀 The Chaser Starship will approach the target Starship in the direction of travel, a Velocity bar approach, unlike the RAR approach used by Dragon when docking to the ISS.
- 🚀 Starship being a part of NASA's emis program and finally returning humans to the Moon after more than 50 years away is a key milestone for SpaceX's ambition of sending Starship to Mars and building a colony there.
#SpaceX #Starship
X Mentions: @SpaceX @HabitatsDigital @NASASpaceFlight
Clips
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00:00 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for Starship's fourth flight with testing and construction at the launch site, including work on the water cooled flame diverter and a new mystery structure being built at Massie.
- SpaceX is preparing for Starship's fourth flight with testing and construction at the launch site, including work on the water cooled flame diverter and the static fire stand.
- A new mystery structure is being built at Massie, and while its purpose is still unknown, it could potentially be a new structural test stand.
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02:10 🚀 SpaceX Starbase is expanding with construction of a parking garage, factory expansion, and testing of new tooling and robot welders for the Starship, as well as the movement of a booster common Dome section.
- Construction is underway for a multi-level parking garage next to the Stargate building at the SpaceX Starbase, with progress including the addition of windows and painting of beams and columns to match the SpaceX aesthetic.
- SpaceX is expanding their factory and testing new tooling and robot welders for the Starship, with initial hardware being development hardware that is typically scrapped within hours or days.
- Booster common Dome section moved from the Sanchez site, labeled as a development Barrel, with cutouts made for inspection, and it may be scrapped.
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04:54 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos and testing booster 13 for cryogenic proof testing at the Starbase, taking extra precautions for safety and cleanliness during early production and testing.
- SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos and testing booster 13 for cryogenic proof testing at the Starbase.
- SpaceX is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and cleanliness of its hardware during early production and testing, with interesting changes spotted on booster 13.
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06:50 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos at Starbase by replacing vertical tanks with horizontal tanks, with Booster 13 undergoing a methane tank test and a vertical tank being removed for renovations.
- Booster 13 underwent a methane tank test, with the liquid oxygen tank not loaded, and a vertical tank was removed from the launch site for renovations.
- SpaceX removed a tank at Starbase that was originally intended for holding liquid methane but was repurposed for water, and more vertical tanks are expected to be scrapped.
- SpaceX is replacing vertical tanks with horizontal tanks for propellant transfer demos, with the new tanks already active and ready for use.
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09:53 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos and full stack testing for booster 11 and ship 29, with potential live coverage on Starbase and installation of a hot stage ring with four pins.
- Booster quick disconnect cover and hydraulic actuator testing at the launch site indicate potential upcoming propellant transfer demos and full stack testing for booster 11 and ship 29.
- Starship is being prepared for engine testing to accelerate the test schedule and reduce turnaround time between flights, with the possibility of booster 12 being rolled out for static fire testing on the orbital launch mount.
- Booster 11 and ship 29 may undergo testing soon, with road closures set for April 29th and potential live coverage on Starbase.
- SpaceX is preparing to install a hot stage ring with four pins instead of three, which will guide the stacking operations for the ship and booster connection.
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13:22 🚀 SpaceX is making progress on the construction of the second launch pad at Starbase, with the arrival of equipment and ongoing work on the vehicles.
- SpaceX has added an extra receptacle to the ship, and there is still a lot of work to be done at the launch site before the vehicles are ready to roll out.
- Work continues on the construction of the second launch pad at Starbase, with the arrival of drills and excavators, and the installation of internal stairs on the tower sections at the port of Brownsville.
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14:45 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for propellant transfer demos between two Starship ships, following successful flights and progress updates on Artemis missions.
- NASA advisory Council discussed progress of Artemis missions, including Starship propellant transfer demos and updates on SLS, Eva suits, and Orion.
- SpaceX has completed successful Starship flights and is preparing for a propellant transfer demonstration between two ships.
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16:25 🚀 SpaceX is developing a long endurance Starship with augmented power and successful propellant transfer demos, crucial for NASA's Artemis program and SpaceX's goal of sending Starship to Mars.
- SpaceX is developing a long endurance ship with augmented power and battery capacity, as well as full insulation of cryogenic systems, in order for Starship to survive in space for days or weeks between refueling, and successful propellant transfer demos have been carried out during flight 3.
- SpaceX will use the same lar and radio links as Dragon when docking with the ISS, but with important differences such as a v bar approach and a probe and drogue docking system.
- SpaceX will be testing propellant transfer on Starship using settling thrusters and will focus on characterizing important items such as propellant dynamics and attitude control.
- Propellant transfer demonstration missions are scheduled for 2025, with launches from the same Launchpad within 3 to 4 weeks of each other.
- Starship propellant transfer demos are crucial for NASA's Artemis program and SpaceX's goal of sending Starship to Mars and building a colony there, with SpaceX covering the progress and keeping viewers informed.
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Duration: 0:20:40
Publication Date: 2024-04-29T19:08:26Z
WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_VlNGDkXqA
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