SpaceX finally updates most important component for Starship flight 6

SpaceX is making significant advancements in its Starship program, including preparations for upcoming flights, infrastructure improvements, and enhancements to the Raptor engine design, while also addressing challenges in the aerospace industry

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• 00:00 🚀 SpaceX is finalizing preparations for Starship flight 6, with booster 12 ready, booster 13's static fire completed, and improvements on launch infrastructure and quick disconnect repairs.
  • Final preparations for Starship flight 6 are underway, with booster 12 in the rocket garden, booster 13's static fire completed, and ongoing checks on the launch infrastructure and chopsticks.
  • The quick disconnect at the Launchpad is undergoing repairs but has shown significant improvement, with all actuators intact, as SpaceX aims for a flight cadence similar to that of aircraft.
  • SpaceX has been actively working at Starbase, removing dirt and dealing with water issues that complicate construction due to the low water table.
• 03:12 🚀 SpaceX is making significant progress at the launch site with expanded excavation, rebar installation, and nearing completion of the orbital launch mount.
  • The excavation at the launch site has expanded significantly, with rebar installation underway and preparations for water tanks to support the flame trench's water deluge system.
  • The orbital launch mount at the Sanchez site is nearing completion, with a new segment recently lifted into place.
• 04:40 🚀 SpaceX updates Starship's launch mount with 20 Raptor engine attachment points, reinforced deck, and new quick disconnect, while also enhancing internal piping and bringing back Booster 12.
  • SpaceX's new launch mount features 20 attachment points for Raptor engines, indicating the retention of quick disconnects, which simplifies rocket assembly and enhances performance.
  • SpaceX has updated the internal piping for Starship, visible at the Sanchez site.
  • The launch mount for Starship is being updated with a reinforced deck and a new booster quick disconnect, while Booster 12 has returned after inspection.
• 07:03 🚀 SpaceX's Booster 12, showing signs of hot staging, is now in the Rocket Garden for analysis, suggesting a focus on reusable Starship boosters.
  • Over 2 million monthly viewers are encouraged to subscribe for exclusive content and updates on Starbase.
  • Booster 12 shows discoloration from hot staging after its flight, indicating the future appearance of reusable Starship boosters, with some soot present despite methane's lower soot production.
  • Booster 12 was moved to the Rocket Garden for analysis and data collection, making it unlikely to be scrapped despite SpaceX's history of discarding prototypes.
• 10:08 🚀 SpaceX is planning a third Mega Bay to alleviate space constraints, prioritizing booster 16 and enhancing ship 31's heat shield while addressing tile fragility for improved payload capacity.
  • SpaceX is facing space constraints in the Mega Bay due to multiple booster constructions and is considering building a third Mega Bay to increase capacity.
  • SpaceX is prioritizing booster 16 for upcoming flights while considering scrapping booster 14, and significant work is being done on ship 31's heat shield in preparation for flight 6.
  • SpaceX has removed both old and newly installed heat tiles from Starship, likely to reduce weight and increase payload capacity based on findings from previous flights.
  • SpaceX aims to address Starship's tile fragility by potentially relocating pins on future ship blocks to prevent damage during Mechazilla's catch.
• 14:01 🚀 Ship 31 is set for a mid-November flight, while testing on Ship 33 and improvements to booster designs are underway at SpaceX.
  • Ship 31 is nearing readiness for a mid-November flight, while Ship 33 has begun initial testing at Massey's, including pressure and cryogenic proof tests.
  • SpaceX's engineers are analyzing the hot staging ring from booster 12, which survived its fall into the Gulf of Mexico with minimal damage, to improve future block 2 booster designs.
  • The can crusher 2.0 at Massey's is expanding to test larger tanks, potentially for future block 2 and block 3 vehicles, enhancing design verification before full-scale construction.
• 16:35 🚀 Boeing's satellite division faces major setbacks after the Intelsat 33e breakup, raising debris concerns in geostationary orbit and prompting the need for debris removal solutions.
  • Boeing's satellite manufacturing division has encountered significant issues, resulting in the loss of a valuable geostationary satellite, impacting both Boeing and its competitors.
  • Intelsat 33e has broken into nearly 500 pieces in geostationary orbit, creating a permanent debris hazard for other valuable satellites.
  • A recent satellite breakup, likely caused by an explosion due to a flaw in the propulsion system, raises concerns about debris risks in geostationary orbit, though companies are developing debris removal solutions.
• 19:14 🚀 SpaceX has updated the Raptor engine design, enhancing its performance for the upcoming Starship flight. 

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Duration: 0:19:45

Publication Date: 2024-11-01T17:11:58Z

WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmMvsUhR_8w

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