SpaceX had a productive week with crucial vehicle tests and facility growth, including preparations for Starship's much-anticipated Flight 4 and successful launches with refurbished boosters
Questions to inspire discussion
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What preparations were made for Starship's Flight 4?
—SpaceX moved the super heavy booster to the build site and then to the launch site on Highway 4, installed Raptor engines in ships 30 and 31, and transferred booster 11 to the workstand.
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What new structures and equipment are being installed at the SpaceX launch site?
—SpaceX is installing self-propelled stands, a five-story office building, a protective shield for the tank farm, and upgrades to the electrical bunker and LaunchPad.
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What launches and refurbishments occurred with SpaceX boosters?
—Booster 1069 launched its 14th mission, booster 1076 was refurbished, and booster 1081 launched with 21 starlink satellites, including 6 with direct to sell capability.
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Where did rocket booster 1073 launch from and land?
—Rocket booster 1073 launched from launch complex 39a and landed at Landing Zone 1.
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What was returned to port after the starlink group 6-47 and bandwagon one launches?
—The fairing halves from the starlink group 6-47 and bandwagon one launches were returned to port.
Key Insights
- 🌌 Crucial vehicle tests shared the spotlight with rapid facility growth as the promise of making Humanity a multi-planet civilization nears closer.
- 🚀 The much-anticipated flight 4 of Starship is on the horizon!
- 🔧 Vacuum Raptor 398 was also lifted and installed at 6:00 in the morning.
- 🚀 The front door of the booster quick disconnect shielding was removed, indicating ongoing maintenance and replacement efforts.
- 🚀 SpaceX is replacing or upgrading a lot of hardware on the mount in preparation for the next launch.
- 🌌 The return of all four fairing halves from starlink group 6-47 and bandwagon one launches demonstrates SpaceX's commitment to reusability and cost efficiency.
- 🛰️ The use of fairing recovery operations and drone ships demonstrates SpaceX's dedication to reusability and cost efficiency in their space missions.
#SpaceX #Starship
X Mentions: @SpaceX @MattLowne
Clips
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00:00 🚀 SpaceX had a productive week with crucial vehicle tests and facility growth, including the connection of ship 31 to the high Bay Bridge crane and the raising of a flap on the center ship workstand.
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01:31 🚀 SpaceX prepares for the upcoming static fire of booster 11, successfully testing the orbital launch mount and performing a static fire of its 33 Raptor engines.
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03:03 🚀 SpaceX prepares for Starship's much anticipated flight 4 by moving the super heavy booster to the build site and then to the launch site on Highway 4.
- The orbital launch mount work platform was moved to the orbital pad, vaporizers were installed near the horizontal tanks, and venting was seen from the new horizontal tanks as SpaceX prepared to remove the super heavy from the mount.
- The super heavy booster for Starship's much anticipated flight 4 was moved to the build site using a two-point lifter and Chopsticks, and then transported to the launch site on Highway 4.
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04:47 🚀 Starship's much-anticipated Flight 4 is on the horizon, with fresh concrete placed at the launch site and Raptor engines installed in ships 30 and 31.
- Fresh concrete was placed at the launch site, Raptor engines were installed in ships 30 and 31, and booster 11 was transferred to the workstand.
- Raptor engines were moved and installed in ship 30, with the crew celebrating the completion of the engine installations.
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06:52 🚀 SpaceX is making significant upgrades to their launch site in preparation for Starship's much anticipated Flight 4, including new structures and equipment being installed and upgrades to the electrical bunker and LaunchPad.
- New structures and equipment are being installed at the SpaceX launch site, including self-propelled stands, a five-story office building, a protective shield for the tank farm, and upgrades to the electrical bunker and LaunchPad.
- Prefabricated Shield structure installed, Duck work underneath, clamp arm removed, booster quick disconnect shielding replaced due to wear, crane in operation on Wednesday morning.
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08:40 🚀 Workers are preparing the launch site for the upcoming Starship flight, including moving hardware and upgrading equipment.
- Legs for ship workstand were moved for reinstallation, framework for new concrete wall was installed, new bridge crane and robotic welding station arrived for installation at the starship factory.
- Workers are preparing the launch site for the upcoming Starship flight, including moving hardware and upgrading equipment.
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10:53 🚀 SpaceX launched multiple missions with refurbished boosters and successfully landed rocket booster 1073, while also recovering fairing halves from previous launches.
- Booster 1069 launched its 14th mission, booster 1076 was refurbished, and booster 1081 launched with 21 starlink satellites, including 6 with direct to sell capability.
- Rocket booster 1073 launched from launch complex 39a and landed at Landing Zone 1, while fairing halves from starlink group 6-47 and bandwagon one launches were returned to port.
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12:49 🚀 SpaceX had multiple successful launches and preparations for future flights, including fairing recovery and the historic conclusion of the Delta rocket family.
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Duration: 0:13:57
Publication Date: 2024-04-16T09:56:55Z
WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2HPhgdwnss
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