SpaceX is making significant advancements in rocket technology, with the development of the new Raptor engine and the impressive reliability of Falcon 9 launches
Questions to inspire discussion
-
What updates have been made at the Boca Chica launch site?
—The linkage arms, booster hold down clamps, and other components of the SpaceX Starship launch mount have been removed and reinstalled with some modifications, possibly in preparation for future launches.
-
What progress has SpaceX made with the installation of new tanks and vaporizers for the Starship?
—SpaceX is making progress with the installation of new tanks and vaporizers for the Starship, indicating that the new horizontal Liquid Nitrogen storage tanks have been certified and partially filled.
-
What changes has SpaceX made to the Starship and Booster 4?
—SpaceX is making changes to the Starship and Booster 4, including removing engines and polishing the surface, possibly to try new methods with steel and adhesives.
-
What is the current payload capacity of SpaceX's latest Starship?
—SpaceX's latest Starship is only capable of delivering 40 to 50 tonnes into orbit, which is significantly lower than the previously stated 100 to 150 tonnes, leading to speculation about the reasons behind this discrepancy.
-
What is the status of NASA's proposed Mars Sample Return mission?
—NASA's proposed Mars Sample Return mission is facing budget troubles, with the latest review study stating that it would require at least eleven billion dollars to be completed in the existing timeline, but to keep the budget limited to the original five to seven billion, the mission wouldn't be possible until 2040, which is deemed unacceptable.
Key Insights
- 🚀 The anticipation for the first flight of the new rocket is building up, creating excitement and curiosity among space enthusiasts.
- 🔥 The main flame trench has been completely dug out, indicating significant changes to the SpaceX Starship engine testing pad.
- 🚀 The future Raptor upgrades will mean over double the thrust of the current Ship, raising concerns about the robustness of the flame trench.
- 🚀 "Why did SpaceX casually just drop that the latest Starship is only capable of delivering 40 to 50 tonnes into orbit when for years we’ve been hearing that it is designed to deliver 100 to 150?"
- 🚀 SpaceX's Raptor engine is a huge challenge, breaking new ground with its reusability, efficiency, and use of propellants that can be generated on Mars.
- 🛠️ SpaceX has achieved success with the first Full Flow Staged Combustion Engine to ever fly, despite the challenges of the design.
- 🛠️ SpaceX aims to take Raptor 3 to the next level by simplifying the design, improving thrust, and making it even more reliable.
- 🚀 The incredible reliability and fast turnaround of Falcon 9 launches is truly amazing, with booster 1062 landing for the record 20th time.
#SpaceX
X Mentions: @SpaceX
Clips
-
00:00 🚀 SpaceX is making modifications to the Starship launch mount and preparing for future launches, including upgrades to the booster catch and installation of shielding parts, while also adding new concrete to the launch site.
- SpaceX Starship and Falcon 9 updates at Boca Chica launch site.
- Linkage arms, booster hold down clamps, and other components of the SpaceX Starship launch mount have been removed and reinstalled with some modifications, possibly in preparation for future launches.
- SpaceX may need to upgrade the booster catch and perform early preparations for flight 5, as well as install shielding parts to solve control wiring problems and withstand the Super Heavy exhaust.
- New concrete is being added to the launch site, covering up the main berm and the old offload area, while a concrete wall is being built in front of the newer horizontal tanks.
-
03:28 🚀 SpaceX is making progress on the Starship project, including installing new tanks and vaporizers, making changes to the Starship and Booster 4, and continuing tile installation on Ship 29.
- SpaceX is using vaporizers to replace the water heat exchange system for the liquid oxygen side of the propellant farm.
- SpaceX is making progress with the installation of new tanks and vaporizers for the Starship, indicating that the new horizontal Liquid Nitrogen storage tanks have been certified and partially filled.
- SpaceX is making progress on the Starship project, including installing external bracing, preparing for tower foundation work, and continuing tile installation on Ship 29.
- SpaceX is making changes to the Starship and Booster 4, including removing engines and polishing the surface, possibly to try new methods with steel and adhesives.
-
06:54 🚀 SpaceX is making significant changes to the Starship testing pad, but there are concerns about the lower payload capacity of the latest Starship.
- The SpaceX Starship engine testing pad has undergone significant changes, with the main flame trench being completely dug out and pipework being laid down for a water-cooled flame deflector.
- SpaceX is expected to share videos and images of static fire events, with a focus on the robust flame trench and the Ship Quick Disconnect assembly for the Starship.
- The main ramp for transporting the SpaceX Starship onto the flame trench is being reinforced and will have a sliding floor to support static fire testing, with the test site expected to be ready for Ship testing later in the year.
- SpaceX's latest Starship is only capable of delivering 40 to 50 tonnes into orbit, which is significantly lower than the previously stated 100 to 150 tonnes, leading to speculation about the reasons behind this discrepancy.
-
10:20 🚀 DeleteMe offers a new feature to protect family's data from data brokers, clean up spam and scams, and provides a 20% discount on US consumer plans.
- Data brokers harvest and trade personal information, posing a threat to privacy, but DeleteMe offers a new feature to protect the entire family's data.
- DeleteMe can help clean up spam and scams, leading to fewer nuisance calls and emails, and offers a 20% discount on US consumer plans using the link provided.
-
11:58 🚀 SpaceX is working on improving the highly reusable Raptor engine for efficiency and reliability, while also testing a 3D printed Kerosene/Oxygen engine for small launch vehicles.
- SpaceX's Raptor engine is a groundbreaking, highly reusable, and efficient liquid engine designed to use propellants that can be generated on Mars, and it is configured so that none of the propellant is discarded.
- SpaceX's Full Flow Staged Combustion Engine is more complex but achieves higher efficiency, and has had success as the first of its kind to fly.
- SpaceX is working on improving the Raptor rocket engine, with plans to simplify the design, improve thrust, and make it more reliable, while also acknowledging the complexity of controlling the engine.
- Raptor Vacuum engine testing shows high pressure at sea level and flow separation, while Launcher's Kerosene/Oxygen engine is 3D printed and provides 10 tonnes of thrust for small launch vehicles.
-
15:45 🚀 SpaceX's Falcon 9 launches have been reliable and routine, with successful Starlink satellite launches and minimal wear on boosters, but booster 1080 experienced a signal quality issue.
- Falcon 9 launches have become routine due to their reliability and fast turnaround, with booster 1062 landing for the 20th time and being transported back to Cape on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, showing minimal wear despite its extensive launch history.
- SpaceX had two successful launches and landings of Starlink satellites, with booster 1083 returning with hardly any soot and booster 1080 experiencing a surprise signal quality issue.
-
17:56 🚀 NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is facing budget troubles, with the possibility of cancellation, while Boeing's Starliner is preparing for its first crewed flight with improvements still needed.
- NASA's proposed Mars Sample Return mission is facing budget troubles, with the latest review study stating that it would require at least eleven billion dollars to be completed in the existing timeline, but to keep the budget limited to the original five to seven billion, the mission wouldn't be possible until 2040, which is deemed unacceptable.
- NASA is considering canceling the Mars Sample Return mission to allocate funding to other planetary missions, but is seeking proposals to keep the mission alive with limited budget.
- Boeing's Starliner is being prepared for its first crewed flight, which is critical for their contracts with NASA, and there are still improvements to be made based on past challenges.
-
21:14 🚀 Gilmour Space in Australia is preparing to launch the first commercial orbital rocket, while SpaceX Starship is expected to launch soon.
- Gilmour Space in Queensland, Australia is preparing to launch the first ever commercial orbital rocket in Australia, with the Eris rocket being 23 meters tall and having a payload capacity of around 300 kilograms.
- Gilmour Space and Virgin Galactic use hybrid rocket engines, which have benefits and drawbacks compared to traditional solid and liquid engines.
- SpaceX Starship is expected to launch soon, and the speaker encourages viewers to subscribe and stay tuned for future videos.
-------------------------------------
Duration: 0:24:1
Publication Date: 2024-04-20T11:34:18Z
WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L88l52NMhXQ
-------------------------------------