SpaceX is making significant upgrades to the Chopsticks and other components in preparation for their first catch attempt and future Starship flights
Questions to inspire discussion
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What upgrades are being made to the Chopsticks at Starbase?
—Upgrades to the Chopsticks are being made in preparation for their first catch attempt and future Starship flights, including the installation of ropes to keep them fixed and the removal and replacement of rebar and actuators.
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What is the focus of the ongoing preparations at the launch site for SpaceX's upcoming flights?
—The focus is on the Chopsticks for a potential booster catch attempt in the near future, as well as the preparation of the heat shield for ship 29 by removing and replacing missing tiles.
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What is the status of Booster 11 and ship 29 for the fourth test flight?
—Booster 11 has undergone a successful static fire and is being prepared for final checkouts and work on the engine section, while ship 29 is having its heat shield prepared and missing tiles replaced.
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What is SpaceX doing to protect against the super heavy booster at the orbital tank farm?
—SpaceX is maintaining the BM at the orbital tank farm and conducting ongoing refurbishments and modifications at the orbital launch mounts to protect against the super heavy booster.
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What cool rocket-related video did SpaceX tweet, and what is the hope for the future?
—SpaceX tweeted a video of a raptor vacuum engine shutting down in slow motion, and the hope is for more slow-mo footage in the future, as well as potential rehearsals and flights using glue for preparation.
Key Insights
- 🚀 Major ongoing upgrades conducted on the Chopsticks ahead of their first catch attempt potentially as soon as flight 5.
- 🏗️ A crane ensures safety by preventing the ring from collapsing while workers are inside, highlighting the importance of safety measures in the construction process.
- 🚀 The development Dome section hints at updated domes for Starship version 2, as mentioned by Elon in his recent presentation.
- 🛠️ All of this work on the Chopsticks makes sense as SpaceX gets ready to try a catch with them.
- 🚀 SpaceX is turning this facility from a sandbar in the middle of nowhere into a Bonafide rocket production facility and launch site.
- 🚀 The upgraded actuator installed on the Chopsticks could be in preparation for the first catch attempt as early as flight 5.
- 🚀 The slow-motion video of the raptor vacuum engine shutting down is one of the coolest rocket-related videos in recent memory.
- 🚀 SpaceX is putting in a lot of effort into making the heat shield work, with large sections of ship 29 currently empty and needing to be filled before the vehicle will be ready to fly.
#SpaceX #IFT4 #BocaChicaStarbase #Starship
XMentions: @SpaceX
Clips
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00:00 🚀 Starbase is preparing for flight 4 with Booster 11 and new buildings, including upgrades to the Chopsticks for their first catch attempt, indicating rapid development and growth of SpaceX's facilities.
- Preparations at Starbase for flight 4 are underway, with Booster 11 being prepared for launch and new buildings being constructed, including upgrades to the Chopsticks for their first catch attempt.
- Starbase is rapidly developing with the construction of a new office building, indicating the growth of SpaceX's facilities and potential for various uses.
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01:59 🚀 SpaceX workers are cutting scrap Barrel pieces for transportation, while work continues on the flame trench and booster 14 production for the seventh Starship flight.
- SpaceX workers are cutting scrap Barrel pieces into smaller sections for transportation, ensuring safety and efficiency in the process.
- Glass paneling will be hosted on the outside of the structure, work is ongoing on the flame trench for the new ship static fir stand, and booster 14 is well into production for the seventh flight of Starship.
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03:32 🚀 New parking garage and tower sections at the Sanchez site are being checked, with potential updates on Starship version 2 and the development payload Barrel.
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04:31 🚀 SpaceX is preparing for upcoming flights, focusing on the Chopsticks for a potential booster catch, while maintaining the BM at the orbital tank farm and making refurbishments at the orbital launch mounts.
- Ongoing preparations at the launch site for SpaceX's upcoming flights, with a focus on the Chopsticks for a potential booster catch attempt in the near future.
- SpaceX is maintaining the BM at the orbital tank farm to protect against the super heavy booster, with ongoing refurbishments and modifications at the orbital launch mounts.
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05:49 🚀 SpaceX is performing repairs and adjustments on hold down clamps, booster quick disconnect, and tank farm structures at the Starbase launch site.
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06:53 🚀 SpaceX prepped the Chopsticks actuators, installed ropes, and flushed pipes at the orbital tank farm before replacing rebar and actuators in preparation for the first catch attempt during flight 5.
- SpaceX worked on the Chopsticks actuators, installed ropes to keep them fixed, and flushed pipes at the orbital tank farm before installation.
- Rebar and actuators were removed and replaced at the Chopsticks in preparation for the first catch attempt during flight 5.
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08:46 🚀 SpaceX tweeted a video of a raptor vacuum engine shutting down in slow motion, and booster 11 and ship 29 are preparing for the fourth test flight.
- SpaceX tweeted a video of a raptor vacuum engine shutting down in slow motion, which is one of the coolest rocket-related videos, and the hope is for more slow-mo footage in the future.
- Booster 11 and ship 29 are getting ready for the fourth test flight, with booster 11 being rolled back after a successful static fire and placed on a work stand for final checkouts and work on the engine section.
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10:11 🚀 SpaceX is preparing the heat shield for ship 29 by replacing missing tiles and focusing on the delicate nose cone area, using glue for potential rehearsals and flights while waiting for FAA approval of their launch license.
- SpaceX is working on preparing the heat shield for ship 29 by removing and replacing missing tiles, with a focus on the delicate nose cone area.
- Glue is being used to prepare for potential rehearsals and flights, with the hope of getting both vehicles back at the launch site soon and conducting a full wet dress rehearsal while waiting for FAA approval of SpaceX's launch license.
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Duration: 0:11:59
Publication Date: 2024-04-15T13:54:44Z
WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3sW7Wzzh50
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