SpaceX is facing heat shield issues with Starship but continues to work on Booster 11 and updates for flight 4, with confidence in rapid reusability at the launch site
Questions to inspire discussion
-
What updates are being made to Booster 11?
—Booster 11 is undergoing modifications for its first and only launch, with preparations for flight number 5 also underway.
-
What is SpaceX doing to improve rapid reusability at the launch site?
—SpaceX is expanding work and transport stands to accommodate an anticipated increase in prototype production, and making progress on the second orbital launch tower.
-
What is happening with the heat tiles on Ship 29?
—Extensive replacements are being made to the heat tiles on Ship 29 for the fourth flight of Starship, with workers focusing on the nosecone and using different colored adhesives in various sections.
-
What is the purpose of the new structure at Massey's test site?
—The purpose of the new addition to Massey's remains a puzzle, with some suggesting it could be a heavy-duty can crusher, but others speculating it could be something entirely different.
-
What is the status of the Delta IV rocket?
—The Delta IV rocket is being retired due to financial reasons, despite its reliability and customer demand, with ULA transitioning to the Vulcan Centaur.
Key Insights
- 🚀 Ship 29 loses even more heat tiles - a concerning setback for SpaceX's Starship program.
- 🚀 The extensive replacement of heat tiles on SpaceX's Starship prototype suggests significant changes in tile composition or adhesive, indicating a serious effort to improve the heat shield for reentry.
- 🔧 SpaceX engineers wasted no time getting Ship 30 ready for engine installation, showcasing their efficiency and speed in the development process.
- 🔥 The flame trench at the Massey's test site is being deepened for safer engine testing, showing SpaceX's commitment to safety and innovation.
- 💰 SpaceX's entry into the market forced ULA to phase out the Delta IV Heavy due to the significantly lower cost of the Falcon Heavy.
- 🚀 The last Delta IV Heavy launch was abruptly halted due to an issue with a nitrogen pump, highlighting the complexities of space missions.
- 🚀 Stoke Space's rapid progress is nothing short of remarkable, and the first stage hop test may even happen this year!
- 📷 Earth-based photographs of the total solar eclipse were breathtaking, but the footage captured by Starlink satellite's engineering camera added an unexpected twist.
#SpaceX
XMentions: @SpaceX @WAI @HabitatsDigital
Clips
-
00:00 🚀 SpaceX's Starship faces heat shield issues, but continues work on Booster 11 and updates for flight 4, with confidence in rapid reusability at the launch site.
- Continued work on Booster 11 after static fire, Ship 29 loses heat tiles, and a mysterious structure appears at Massey's.
- SpaceX's Starship flight 4 updates and rapid reusability confidence at the launch site.
- Workers at the Orbital Tank Farm are busy connecting new tanks and installing vaporizers to convert cryogenic fluid into gas, eliminating the need for water-based heat exchangers and making the large water tank useless.
-
02:59 🚀 SpaceX is making extensive replacements to the heat tiles on the Ship 29 prototype for the fourth flight of Starship, and progress on the second orbital launch tower is being made.
- Progress on the second orbital launch tower is being made, with wick drains being installed and soil being added to compact the ground and expel water, with the hope of seeing the first signs of the new tank farm soon.
- SpaceX is making extensive replacements to the heat tiles on the Ship 29 prototype for the fourth flight of Starship, with workers focusing on the nosecone and using different colored adhesives in various sections.
-
05:09 🚀 SpaceX is making modifications for Super Heavy Booster 11's first launch and preparing Ship 30 for flight number 5, while expanding work and transport stands for increased prototype production.
- Super Heavy Booster 11 is undergoing modifications for its first and only launch, while another group is preparing for flight number 5, with Ship 30 being outfitted with all six Raptor engines in less than 24 hours.
- SpaceX is expanding its work stands and transport stands to accommodate the anticipated increase in production of prototypes.
-
07:10 🚀 SpaceX is working on the second tower at the Massey's test site near Boca Chica, with updates to the testing stand for the flame deflector and speculation about the purpose of the new addition.
- SpaceX is working on the second tower at the Massey's test site near Boca Chica, with the flame trench being deepened and safety measures being installed for engine testing.
- The testing stand for the flame deflector at SpaceX's site has been updated with additional components and a new structure has emerged.
- The purpose of the new addition to Massey's remains a puzzle, with some suggesting it could be a heavy-duty can crusher, but others speculating it could be something entirely different.
-
09:37 🚀 SpaceX is working on fixing Starship's heat shield, and the speaker promotes Raycon earbuds as a Mother's Day gift with a discount and free shipping.
- Subscribe to the channel, become a WAI supporter for exclusive SpaceX updates, and check out the IFT3 commemorative shirt on the Patreon page and new website.
- The speaker promotes Raycon earbuds as a perfect Mother's Day gift with noise isolation and awareness mode features, offering a 20% discount and free shipping.
-
11:59 🚀 SpaceX's Falcon Heavy replaces the Delta IV Heavy, leading to ULA phasing out their older rockets and transitioning to the Vulcan Centaur, despite the Delta IV's reliability and customer demand.
- The Delta IV rocket is being retired due to financial reasons, despite its reliability and customer demand.
- SpaceX's Falcon Heavy entered the market, offering a more cost-effective alternative to the Delta IV Heavy, leading to ULA phasing out their older rockets and transitioning to the Vulcan Centaur.
- The final mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was a success, with the Delta IV Heavy rocket launching the Advanced Orion satellite, despite a brief delay due to an issue with a nitrogen pump.
-
15:14 🚀 Stoke Space is developing the reusable rocket Nova with methalox engines, similar to SpaceX's Raptor, and may conduct a first stage hop test this year.
- Stoke Space is working on their first rocket, Nova, which will be 100% reusable and will use seven methalox full-flow staged combustion engines, similar to SpaceX's Raptor.
- Stoke Space is making rapid progress with their engine testing and the first stage hop test may happen this year.
-
17:06 🚀 SpaceX's engineering camera captured the recent total solar eclipse from a Starlink satellite, with the next visible eclipse in the US occurring in 2044.
- The recent total solar eclipse was captured by SpaceX's engineering camera on a Starlink satellite, providing a unique view from space.
- The next total solar eclipse visible from the US will occur in 2044, so plan a trip to see it, hit the like button, subscribe for more content, and watch the next video to continue your space IQ journey.
-------------------------------------
Duration: 0:19:21
Publication Date: 2024-04-12T17:57:53Z WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Dzgg-j-Dk
-------------------------------------