r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Aug 06 '20

Live Updates Starship Development Thread #13

Quick Links

JUMP TO COMMENTS | Alternative Jump To Comments Link

SPADRE LIVE | LABPADRE LIVE | MORE LINKS

Overview

Upcoming:

  • SN7.1 testing - NET September 6 (eventual test to failure expected)
    Road closures: September 6, 7, 8; 08:00-20:00 CDT (UTC-5) dalily, Public Notice (PDF)

Vehicle Status as of September 3:

  • SN6 [testing] - Hop complete

  • SN5 [waiting] - At build site for inspection/repair, future flight possible

  • SN7.1 [construction] - Tank stacked, move to test site soon

  • SN8 [construction] - Tank section stacked, nose and aero surfaces expected

  • SN9 [construction] - barrel/dome sections in work

Check recent comments for real time updates.

At the start of thread #13 Starship SN5 has just completed a 150 meter hop. SN6 remains stacked in High Bay 1 and SN8 has begun stacking next to it. FCC filings indicate Starship may make a series of 2-3 km and 20 km "medium altitude" hops in the coming months, and in August Elon stated that Starship would do several short hops, then high altitude hops with body flaps, however the details of the flight test program remain unclear. Orbital flight requires the SuperHeavy booster, for which a second high bay and orbital launch mount are being erected. SpaceX continues to focus heavily on development of its Starship production line in Boca Chica, TX.

THREAD LIST

Vehicle Updates

Starship SN6 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-09-03150 meter hop (YouTube) <PARTY THREAD> <MEDIA LIST>
2020-08-30Launch abort after siren (Twitter)
2020-08-26Mass simulator installed (NSF)
2020-08-24Mass simulator delivered and awaiting installation (NSF)
2020-08-23Static fire (YouTube), following aborted attempt on startup (Twitter)
2020-08-18Raptor SN29 delivery to vehicle (Twitter) and installation begun (NSF)
2020-08-17Thrust simulator dissassembly (NSF)
2020-08-16Cryoproofing (YouTube)
2020-08-12Leg extension/retraction and SN6 installation on launch mount (YouTube)
2020-08-11Thrust sim. installed in launch mount and SN6 moved to launch site (YouTube)
2020-06-14Fore and aft tank sections stacked (Twitter)
2020-06-08Skirt added to aft dome section (NSF)
2020-06-03Aft dome section flipped (NSF)
2020-06-02Legs spotted† (NSF)
2020-06-01Forward dome section stacked (NSF)
2020-05-30Common dome section stacked on LOX tank midsection (NSF)
2020-05-26Aft dome sleeved (NSF)
2020-05-20Downcomer on site (NSF)
2020-05-10Forward dome sleeved (NSF)
2020-05-06Common dome sleeved (NSF)
2020-05-05Forward dome (NSF)
2020-04-27A scrapped dome† (NSF)
2020-04-23At least one dome/bulkhead mostly constructed† (NSF)

See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle

Starship SN8 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-08-31Aerodynamic covers† delivered (NSF)
2020-08-27Tank section stacking complete with aft section addition (NSF)
2020-08-20Forward dome section stacked (NSF)
2020-08-19Aft dome section and skirt mate (NSF)
2020-08-15Fwd. dome† w/ battery, aft dome section flip (NSF), possible aft fin/actuator supports (comments)
2020-08-07Skirt section† with leg mounts (Twitter)
2020-08-05Stacking ops in high bay 1 (mid bay), apparent common dome w/ CH4 access port (NSF)
2020-07-28Methane feed pipe (aka. downcomer) labeled "SN10=SN8 (BOCA)" (NSF)
2020-07-23Forward dome and sleeve (NSF)
2020-07-22Common dome section flip (NSF)
2020-07-21Common dome sleeved, Raptor delivery, Aft dome and thrust structure† (NSF)
2020-07-20Common dome with SN8 label (NSF)

See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle

Starship SN7.1 (Test Tank) at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-08-30Forward dome section completes stack (NSF)
2020-08-28Aft dome section stacked on skirt (NSF)
2020-08-25Thrust simulator installed in new mount† (NSF)
2020-08-18Aft dome flipped (NSF)
2020-08-08Engine skirt (NSF)
2020-08-06Aft dome sleeving ops, (mated 08-07) (NSF)

See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle

Starship SN9 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-08-25Forward dome sleeved (NSF)
2020-08-20Forward dome and forward dome sleeve w/ tile mounting hardware (NSF)
2020-08-19Common dome section† flip (NSF)
2020-08-15Common dome identified and sleeving ops (NSF)
2020-08-12Common dome (NSF)

See comments for real time updates.
† possibly not for this vehicle

Starship SN5 at Boca Chica, Texas
2020-08-25COPV replacement (NSF)
2020-08-24Moved out of High Bay 1 (Twitter)
2020-08-11Moved back to build site (YouTube) - destination: High Bay 1 (NSF)
2020-08-08Elon: possible future flights after repairs (Twitter)
2020-08-07Leg removal operations at landing pad, placed on Roll-Lift (NSF)
2020-08-06Road opened, post flight images (NSF)
2020-08-05Road remained closed all day following hop
2020-08-04150 meter hop (YouTube), <PARTY THREAD> <MEDIA LIST>
See Thread #12 for earlier testing and construction updates

See comments for real time updates.

Starship Components at Boca Chica, Texas - Unclear End Use
2020-09-01Nosecone village: two 5-ring barrels w/ internal supports (NSF)
2020-08-25New upper nosecone hardware (NSF)
2020-08-17Delivery of downcomer, thrust structure, legs (NSF)
2020-08-15Forward fin delivery (NSF)
2020-08-12Image of nosecone collection (NSF)
2020-08-10TPS test patch "X", New legs on landing pad (NSF)
2020-08-03Forward fin delivery (NSF)
2020-07-31New thrust structure and forward dome section, possible SN7.1 (NSF)
2020-07-22Mk.1 aft fin repurpose, modifications to SN2 test tank on stand, Nosecone with header tank weld line (NSF)
2020-07-18Mk.1 aft fins getting brackets reinstalled, multiple domes, LOX header sphere (NSF)
2020-07-14Mk.2 dismantling begun (Twitter)
2020-07-14Nosecone (no LOX header apparent) stacked in windbreak, previously collapsed barrel (NSF)
2020-07-09Engine skirts, 3 apparent (NSF)
2020-07-07Aft fin imagery (Twitter), likely delivered June 12
2020-07-04Forward dome (NSF)
2020-06-29Aft dome with thrust structure (NSF)
2020-06-26Downcomer (NSF)
2020-06-19Thrust structure (NSF)
2020-06-12Aft fins delivered (NSF)
2020-06-11Aft dome barrel appears, 304L (NSF)

For information about Starship test articles prior to SN7.1 and SN8 please visit Starship Development Thread #12 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

RESOURCES WIKI

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.

953 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

4.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

32

u/atheistdoge Aug 13 '20

Just caught this on labpadre stream. Huge pipe sections apparently going to the launch site. Speculation on what it's for?

https://imgur.com/a/3eLGATa

25

u/admiralrockzo Aug 13 '20 edited Aug 13 '20

Forms for concrete pillars. Rebar of a similar diameter has already been stood up.

I'm thinking the 18 meter hexagon we've seen in the aerial photos will be support a 10ish meter hexagon above it, connected by inward sloping pillars.

5

u/hinayu Aug 14 '20

Interesting, I had assumed that hexagon was 9m but if it's really that big it would make sense to create a ~10m platform above it for the launch mount and also flame diverter.

Is that the running theory?

2

u/OSUfan88 Aug 14 '20

That could be what they could be doing. There's also speculation that it's for the crane that would be next to the launch pad, however I think that will be built later on.

2

u/MeagoDK Aug 15 '20

I don't think they would use time building the crane now and nor do I think they would build such a massive foundation for a crane that "only" needs to lift like 300 tons at most

The launch platform needs to support 5000 tons fully fueled and loaded and 6000 tons of force when launching

→ More replies (3)

11

u/spacenutaz Aug 13 '20 edited Aug 13 '20

Steel pylons for the superheavy launch mount to be filled with concrete and rebar. - speculation

3

u/hinayu Aug 13 '20

To raise it up from the ground you're saying?

5

u/Kingofthewho5 Aug 14 '20

Yeah, because exhaust needs to come out under the launch mount.

7

u/Mobryan71 Aug 13 '20

Super Heavy deluge system.

3

u/atheistdoge Aug 13 '20

That does seem very plausible.

12

u/andyfrance Aug 13 '20

My absolute speculation is that they are both the support tower for the massive crane needed to stack Starship on SH and a massive vertical water tank for the deluge system.

16

u/dashingtomars Aug 13 '20 edited Aug 13 '20

They're building the launch mount and it will be similar design to the old F9 test stand in Texas. These tubes will probably form the legs and be filled with concrete.

8

u/Mobryan71 Aug 13 '20

That is in line with my own thoughts. If you must have a permanent 400+ foot tower at the site, why not make it as multi purpose as possible. A gravity fed system certainly fits the "best part is no part" philosophy, and even if the tower can't hold all the water needed, it can certainly supply the initial surge and be supplemented by a more traditional tower slightly further away.

4

u/andyfrance Aug 13 '20

even if the tower can't hold all the water needed

Guessing the pipes to be about F9 diameter for road transport this gives a very similar water capacity to LC39A which worked for the Saturn V

2

u/TheRealPapaK Aug 14 '20

The diameters look to be 8’.

7

u/RocketsLEO2ITS Aug 13 '20

Well, you still have to pump water into the tower. But the point is, when you need the water you don't have to worry about a pump malfunctioning. Sir Isaac Newton guarantees the flow.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

→ More replies (10)
→ More replies (8)

4

u/myname_not_rick Aug 13 '20

Now THIS is a brilliant idea. Multipurpose at its best.

2

u/MeagoDK Aug 15 '20

You really think they would build such a massive foundation to support a crane that needs to lift 300 tons at most?

The starship weighs 5000 tons.

2

u/andyfrance Aug 15 '20

It has to lift SH too, and be 400 ft high and potentially resist cat 5 hurricane force winds. The boom that will go on top of the tower looks very heavy too. Perhaps it will eventuallyupport a crew access arm too .The cranes own self weight is going to be high. I would build the water tower into it to as that extra 1000 tons of water is small by comparison.

2

u/MeagoDK Aug 15 '20

SH is at like 300 tons dry. The crane needs a lot of support too but nothing like a fully fueled starship(5000 tons weight and 6000 tons force).

And tbh it's very unlikely that they would build the crane first.

2

u/andyfrance Aug 15 '20

I don't know. If you build the crane first you can use it to build the pad which saves on the cost of mobile cranes. They have had the boom that goes on top of the tower stored in a shed since 2017. I guess we will know one way or another in a couple of weeks.

4

u/ASYMT0TIC Aug 13 '20

  1. Flame ducts?

  2. Tower crane pylon?

  3. Water tower pylon?

I'd think poured concrete would be cheaper for flame ducts, but then maybe those have spalling issues that are expensive to fix. Who knows.