Starship Test Trouble… and Block 3 Finally Unveiled

SpaceX is making significant progress towards Starship Flight Test 11, addressing various technical challenges and enhancing launch readiness while also highlighting the importance of data privacy in the context of personal information exploitation

Questions to inspire discussion

Starship Development

🚀 Q: What's new with Ship 38?
A: Ship 38 was rolled out to Pad 1, lifted onto the launch mount without a booster, and prepared for static fire testing with an almost fully completed heatshield using a "crunch wrap" to fill gaps between tiles.

🔥 Q: How does the Block 3 booster improve on Block 2?
A: Block 3 boosters feature an integrated hot stage dome that can withstand hot staging, eliminating the complex components on top of Block 2 boosters and providing a strong, smooth surface without grid fins.

🏗️ Q: What upgrades are being made to Pad 2 at Starbase?
A: Pad 2 is getting a new flame deflector system with a deep trench underneath, allowing for more intense testing than Pad 1, and a deluge system that can be filled as needed without trucking in water.

Booster and Engine Testing

🚀 Q: What's the status of Booster 15?
A: Booster 15 completed a successful static fire of all 33 engines and was returned to Megabay 1, set to become the second reused Super Heavy booster following Flight 8.

🧪 Q: What testing is happening at Massey's?
A: SpaceX has conducted at least ten cryogenic tests on a test article at Massey's, including two long duration tests, with aggressive venting possibly to find the breaking point.

Launch Site Preparations

🛡️ Q: How is SpaceX protecting the Starbase site?
A: SpaceX is pouring a large foundation for a new blast wall to protect the methane tank farm and installing cryogenic, gas, and electrical lines with redundant valve sets.

🚢 Q: How will SpaceX transport Starship stages to Cape Canaveral?
A: A new droneship for horizontal transport of pressurized Starship stages will prevent tipping in rough seas during transit from Starbase to Cape Canaveral.

Cape Canaveral Progress

🏗️ Q: What's the progress on the launch mount at Pad 39-A?
A: Three of four orbital launch mount legs have been delivered and installed, with the site estimated to be about 5 months behind the progress at Pad 2 in Texas.

🔧 Q: What's being added to the Ground Service Equipment bunker?
A: The bunker is being equipped with cryogenic, gas, and electrical lines, and two sets of redundant valves to prevent overpressure events and ensure cryogenic commodity drainage.

Missions and Launches

🚀 Q: What was notable about the recent Cygnus XL cargo mission?
A: The CRS NG-23 Cygnus XL mission launched on a Falcon 9, carrying 5 tonnes of supplies for over 50 experiments, and the booster performed a return to launch site landing at Landing Zone 2.

🛰️ Q: What issue did the Cygnus XL encounter?
A: The Cygnus XL's main engine stopped firing earlier than planned during orbit-raising burns, likely due to a software glitch, causing a delay in its arrival at the ISS.

Future Developments

🛬 Q: What changes are coming to SpaceX's landing zones?
A: SpaceX is preparing a new pad beside SLC-40 for early 2026, with Landing Zone 1 retired and Zone 2 likely to have only a few landings left.

🏠 Q: What progress has been made on Vast's Haven-1 station?
A: Vast's Haven-1 station has completed its final welds, designed to support four crew for two weeks, aiming to become the world's first commercial space station by May 2026.

Block 3 Booster Details

🚀 Q: What are some key features of the Block 3 booster?
A: The Block 3 booster's aft section includes two chines, one quick disconnect on the right side, and circular pipes for Raptor engine startup gases, engine chill collection, and electrical systems.

Starship Testing Challenges

🔥 Q: What issues is Starship facing at Cape Canaveral?
A: Starship is experiencing trouble with flame trench buckets at Cape Canaveral, which were installed before the legs at Pad 2, with designs varying but following similar principles.

Launch Pad Developments

🚀 Q: What new launch facility is SpaceX preparing?
A: SpaceX is developing a new pad beside SLC-40 set to come online in early 2026, as existing landing zones are being phased out.

Key Insights

Starship Development Progress

1. 🚀 SpaceX's Starship 38 completed a successful static fire on Pad 1 after disconnecting and reattaching the quick disconnect plate for tweaks or repairs.
2. 🔥 The new Pad 2 at Starbase features a flame deflector testing system capable of handling higher pressure tests with deluge tanks for multiple launch attempts.
3. 🛠️ Block 3 Starship booster will have an integrated hot stage dome, eliminating the need for the hot stage ring used on Block 2 boosters.
4. 🛡️ SpaceX is protecting sensitive components on the B18.3 test tank by housing grid fins and huge batteries inside substantial structures within the methane tank.

Testing and Infrastructure

1. 🧪 

   SpaceX has conducted 10+ cryogenic tests on the test article at Massey's, including 2 long-duration tests and 2 cryogenic tests, aiming to find its breaking point.

2. 🏗️ A new concrete bunker at Massey's shows construction imperfections, including uneven pour and rebar sticking out, which SpaceX will likely address.
3. 🔌 The new Ground Service Equipment bunker beside the ship's static fire stand is being equipped with cryogenic, gas, and electrical lines, plus two new sets of valves for system redundancy.
4. 🧱 A new blast wall at Massey's is being constructed with a large foundation to protect the methane tank farm from potential energetic events.

Transportation and Logistics

1. 🚢 SpaceX plans to transport completed Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages from Starbase to Cape Canaveral via horizontal barges.
2. 🛳️ A new droneship has been confirmed for horizontal transport of Starship stages to prevent tipping in rough seas.

Challenges and Missions

1. 🌊 SpaceX's Starship faces ongoing test troubles, with water-cooled flame trench buckets yet to be installed at Cape Canaveral, unlike at Starbase Texas.
2. 🛰️ Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo mission, launched on a Falcon 9, successfully deployed UltraFlex Solar arrays and supported over 50 experiments.

Falcon 9 Achievements

1. 🚀 SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster 1094 completed its fourth flight with a perfect return to launch site mission, landing at Landing Zone 2.
2. 🛰️ The Cygnus XL spacecraft, named S.S. William C. McCool, carried almost five tonnes of supplies and science gear to the ISS.

Scientific Advancements

1. 🧊 A critical Zero Boil-Off study for long-term cryogenic propellant storage was included in the Cygnus XL payload.

Future Developments

1. 🏗️ SpaceX is preparing to build up the Starship fleet in Florida, with initial vehicles to be used at Launch Complex 39A before being built at Starbase.
2. 🔬 The Cygnus XL mission supported over 50 experiments, showcasing the importance of cargo missions for scientific research on the ISS.
3. 🌠  The naming of Cygnus XL as S.S. William C. McCool honors the shuttle pilot from the STS-107 mission, connecting current missions to space exploration history.

#SpaceX

X Mentions: @SpaceX @HabitatsDigital @MarcusHouse

WatchUrl:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otuPq5TXvUU

Clips

• 00:00 🚀 SpaceX is advancing towards Starship Flight Test 11 with Booster 15 and Ship 38 ready for testing, despite encountering issues with engine chill lines and ongoing repairs at Pad 1.
  • SpaceX is making significant progress towards Starship Flight Test 11, with Booster 15 ready for a second flight and preparations underway for Starship 38's static fire test.
  • Ship 38 was successfully transported to the launch site for its static fire test, showcasing nearly complete heatshield installation and marking the final Block 2 ship rollout.
  • Testing of the Starship was aborted after the engine chill lines frosted up, indicating a snag during the loading of liquid oxygen.
  • The crew faced delays and issues while attempting repairs on Ship 38 at Pad 1, but work on new Pad 2 continued progressing.
• 03:35 🚀 SpaceX faces flooding issues during tests for Ship 38, but a new deluge tank at Pad 2 improves launch readiness, while Block 3 boosters will have fewer sensitive components.
  • SpaceX conducted multiple tests on the flame deflector and its trench, revealing flooding issues while preparing for Ship 38's static fire.
  • The installation of a new deluge tank at Pad 2 enhances water capacity for launches, allowing for quicker refills and potentially enabling multiple launch attempts without delays.
  • SpaceX plans to eliminate sensitive components from the top of the hot stage system on the Block 3 boosters.
• 06:19 🚀 Block 3 of Starship introduces a simplified booster design with integrated systems, while new components and configurations are being tested in Booster 18.
  • The grid fins and their mechanisms are now integrated within the methane tank, with substantial housings and batteries positioned for protection and functionality.
  • Block 3 will feature a simplified booster design with an integrated dome for hot staging, eliminating complex components seen in previous versions.
  • A smaller diameter section related to the Super Heavy booster has appeared, sparking curiosity among space fans.
  • Booster 18's aft section has been integrated into Megabay 1, closely resembling recent SpaceX renders and featuring components for Raptor engine systems.
• 09:29 🔒 Data brokers exploit personal information, highlighting the need for protection, which DeleteMe addresses by removing data and allowing family accounts for privacy.
  • Data brokers profit from collecting and selling personal information without consent, making data protection increasingly important.
  • DeleteMe offers a service that continuously removes personal information from data brokers, now allowing family members to be included under one account for enhanced privacy protection.
• 11:02 🚀 Massey's cryogenic tests revealed aggressive venting issues, while SpaceX works on new bunkers and blast walls, and Booster 13's aft section is almost fully scrapped.
  • Massey's conducted multiple cryogenic tests on a test article, pushing it to its limits, resulting in aggressive venting during the latest test.
  • SpaceX is addressing issues with the new concrete bunker while progressing on the Ground Service Equipment bunker, which is being equipped with cryogenic and gas lines for redundancy.
  • New blast wall foundation is being constructed to protect the methane tank farm, while steel truss sections are being installed as access platforms near the Ship static fire stand, and Booster 13's aft section is nearing complete scrapping.
• 13:50 🚀 SpaceX is adding a new droneship and plans to transport Starship components by barge to Cape Canaveral, with significant progress on the launch pad at 39A.
  • A new droneship named "You’ll Thank Me Later" is set to join the SpaceX fleet.
  • SpaceX plans to transport completed Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages from Starbase to Cape Canaveral via barge to support the Starship fleet at Launch Complex 39A.
  • Starship and Super Heavy can be transported horizontally due to bridge constraints, and recent developments indicate progress on the launch pad at 39-A, with the Orbital Launch Mount nearing completion.
• 16:42 🚀 SpaceX is advancing launch preparations at Cape Canaveral while Northrop Grumman successfully launched its upgraded Cygnus XL cargo mission to the ISS.
  • SpaceX is progressing with launch preparations at Cape Canaveral, including the installation of cryogenic storage tanks and ongoing work on flame diverter systems, while Northrop Grumman successfully launched its first Cygnus XL cargo mission to the ISS using a Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The new Cygnus XL cargo ship, named S.S. William, offers a 33% increase in capacity, allowing it to carry around 5 tonnes, compared to the previous version's 3.5 tonnes.
• 19:00 🚀 Starship's landing footage pays tribute to Columbia, while Cygnus XL successfully deployed solar arrays despite a software glitch, and SpaceX prepares for future missions with updates and new projects.
  • The stunning ground camera footage of the landing sequence evokes a sense of science fiction while honoring the legacy of the Columbia disaster.
  • The booster experienced significant angle changes and g-forces during descent, leading to a beautiful recovery shot at Landing Zone 2, which is set to be retired as SpaceX prepares a new pad for 2026.
  • The Cygnus XL spacecraft successfully deployed its solar arrays and is supporting over 50 experiments, including a critical Zero Boil-Off study essential for long-term cryogenic propellant storage for future moon and Mars missions.
  • Cygnus XL experienced an early engine shutdown due to a software glitch but successfully arrived and was berthed at the ISS, while Blue Origin showcased a new free-flying camera during the New Shepard flight.
  • The RSS H.G. Wells Crew completed its final mission, transitioning to non-flight testing, while Starlink experienced a brief service outage during multiple satellite launches.
  • The mission interface for Falcon 9 has been updated to show the rocket's curvature during ascent, while Vast is making progress on its Haven-1 commercial space station, set to launch in May next year.

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Duration: 0:25:25

Publication Date: 2025-09-20T12:03:59Z

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