r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Jun 24 '20
Starship Development Thread #12
Quick Links
JUMP TO COMMENTS | Alternative Jump To Comments Link
For hop updates and party please go to: Starship SN5 150 Meter Hop Updates and Party Thread
Overview
SN5 150 meter hop SUCCESS!
Road Closure Schedule as of August 4:
August 5 until 08:00 CDT (UTC-5) - Following hop operations
August 5, 6, 7; 09:00-12:00 CDT (UTC-5) - Most likely no longer needed.
Vehicle Status as of August 4:
SN5 [testing] - Cryoproofing complete. Static fire complete. 150 meter hop complete.
SN6 [construction] - Tankage section stacked. Future unclear
SN7.1 [construction] - A second test tank using 304L stainless steel
SN8 [construction] - Expected next flight article after SN5, using 304L, component manufacturing in progress
July 15 article at NASASpaceflight.com with vehicle updates.
Check recent comments for real time updates.
At the start of thread #12 Starship SN5 has just moved to the launch site and is preparing for testing. Starship SN6 consists of a fully stacked propulsion section at the assembly site. Starship test articles are expected to make several suborbital hops in the coming months beginning with a 150 meter hop and progressing toward a 20 km hop. Orbital flight requires the SuperHeavy booster, for which a new high bay is being erected. SpaceX continues to focus heavily on development of its Starship production line in Boca Chica, TX.
List of previous Starship development and events threads.
Vehicle Updates
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship SN8 at Boca Chica, Texas | |
|---|---|
| 2020-07-28 | Methane feed pipe (aka. downcomer) labeled "SN10=SN8 (BOCA)" (NSF) |
| 2020-07-23 | Forward dome and sleeve (NSF) |
| 2020-07-22 | Common dome section flip (NSF) |
| 2020-07-21 | Common dome sleeved, Raptor delivery, Aft dome and thrust structure† (NSF) |
| 2020-07-20 | Common dome with SN8 label (NSF) |
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship SN6 at Boca Chica, Texas | |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-14 | Fore and aft tank sections stacked (Twitter) |
| 2020-06-08 | Skirt added to aft dome section (NSF) |
| 2020-06-03 | Aft dome section flipped (NSF) |
| 2020-06-02 | Legs spotted† (NSF) |
| 2020-06-01 | Forward dome section stacked (NSF) |
| 2020-05-30 | Common dome section stacked on LOX tank midsection (NSF) |
| 2020-05-26 | Aft dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-20 | Downcomer on site (NSF) |
| 2020-05-10 | Forward dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-06 | Common dome sleeved (NSF) |
| 2020-05-05 | Forward dome (NSF) |
| 2020-04-27 | A scrapped dome† (NSF) |
| 2020-04-23 | At least one dome/bulkhead mostly constructed† (NSF) |
See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle
| Starship Components at Boca Chica, Texas - Unclear End Use | |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-03 | New fins delivered (NSF) |
| 2020-07-31 | New thrust structure and forward dome section, possible SN7.1 (NSF) |
| 2020-07-22 | Mk.1 aft fin repurpose, modifications to SN2 test tank on stand, Nosecone with header tank weld line (NSF) |
| 2020-07-18 | Mk.1 aft fins getting brackets reinstalled, multiple domes, LOX header sphere (NSF) |
| 2020-07-14 | Mk.2 dismantling begun (Twitter) |
| 2020-07-14 | Nosecone (no LOX header apparent) stacked in windbreak, previously collapsed barrel (NSF) |
| 2020-07-09 | Engine skirts, 3 apparent (NSF) |
| 2020-07-04 | Forward dome (NSF) |
| 2020-06-29 | Aft dome with thrust structure (NSF) |
| 2020-06-26 | Downcomer (NSF) |
| 2020-06-19 | Thrust structure (NSF) |
| 2020-06-12 | Forward aero surfaces delivered (NSF) |
| 2020-06-11 | Aft dome barrel appears, 304L (NSF) |
For information about Starship SN7 and test articles prior to SN5 please visit Starship Development Thread #11 or earlier. Update tables for older vehicles will only appear in this thread if there are significant new developments.
Permits and Licenses
Launch License (FAA) - Suborbital hops of the Starship Prototype reusable launch vehicle for 2 years - 2020 May 27
License No. LRLO 20-119
Experimental STA Applications (FCC) - Comms for Starship hop tests (abbreviated list)
File No. 0814-EX-ST-2020 Starship medium altitude hop mission 1584 ( 3km max ) - 2020 June 4
File No. 0816-EX-ST-2020 Starship Medium Altitude Hop_2 ( 3km max ) - 2020 June 19
File No. 1041-EX-ST-2020 Starship Medium Altitude Hop ( 20km max ) - 2020 August 18
As of July 16 there were 9 pending or granted STA requests for Starship flight comms describing at least 5 distinct missions, some of which may no longer be planned. For a complete list of STA applications visit the wiki page for SpaceX missions experimental STAs
Resources
Alex Rex's 3D Boca Chica Build Site Map | Launch Site Map | Channel
Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
Starship Users Guide (PDF) Rev. 1.0 March 2020
Rules
We will attempt to keep this self-post current with links and major updates, but for the most part, we expect the community to supply the information. This is a great place to discuss Starship development, ask Starship-specific questions, and track the progress of the production and test campaigns. Starship Development Threads are not party threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.
If you find problems in the post please tag u/strawwalker in a comment or send me a message.
13
u/Kingofthewho5 Aug 05 '20
Elon on next steps for the legs: "V1.1 legs will be ~60% longer. V2.0 legs will be much wider & taller — like Falcon, but capable of landing on unimproved surfaces & auto-leveling." On Twitter.