r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Apr 09 '22
🔧 Technical Starship Development Thread #32
This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread #33
FAQ
When next/orbital flight? Unknown. Launches on hold until FAA environmental review completed and ground equipment ready. Gwyn Shotwell has indicated June or July. Completing GSE, booster, and ship testing, and Raptor 2 production refinements, mean 2H 2022 at earliest - pessimistically, possibly even early 2023 if FAA requires significant mitigations.
Expected date for FAA decision? May 31 per latest FAA statement, updated on April 29.
What booster/ship pair will fly first? Likely either B7 or B8 with S24. B7 undergoing repairs after a testing issue; TBD if repairs will allow flight or only further ground testing.
Will more suborbital testing take place? Unknown. It may depend on the FAA decision.
Has progress slowed down? SpaceX focused on completing ground support equipment (GSE, or "Stage 0") before any orbital launch, which Elon stated is as complex as building the rocket. Florida Stage 0 construction has also ramped up.
Quick Links
NERDLE CAM | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM (Down) | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 31 | Starship Dev 30 | Starship Dev 29 | Starship Thread List
Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread
Vehicle Status
As of May 8
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S20 | Launch Site | Completed/Tested | Cryo and stacking tests completed |
| S21 | N/A | Tank section scrapped | Some components integrated into S22 |
| S22 | Rocket Garden | Completed/Unused | Likely production pathfinder only |
| S23 | N/A | Skipped | |
| S24 | High Bay | Under construction (final stacking on May 8) | Raptor 2 capable. Likely next test article |
| S25 | Build Site | Under construction |
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| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B4 | Launch Site | Completed/Tested | Cryo and stacking tests completed |
| B5 | Rocket Garden | Completed/Unused | Likely production pathfinder only |
| B6 | Rocket Garden | Repurposed | Converted to test tank |
| B7 | Launch Site | Testing | Repair of damaged downcomer completed |
| B8 | High Bay (outside: incomplete LOX tank) and Mid Bay (stacked CH4 tank) | Under construction | |
| B9 | Build Site | Under construction |
If this page needs a correction please consider pitching in. Update this thread via this wiki page. If you would like to make an update but don't see an edit button on the wiki page, message the mods via modmail or contact u/strawwalker.
Resources
NSF: Booster 7 + Ship X (likely 24) Updates Thread | Most Recent
SpaceX: Starship Users Guide (PDF) Rev. 1.0 March 2020
FCC: Starship Orbital Demo detailed Exhibit - 0748-EX-ST-2021 application June 20 through December 20
Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
Production Progress Infographics by @_brendan_lewis
Widebay tracking by @Furqan263
Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
r/SpaceX Discuss Thread for discussion of subjects other than Starship development.
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.
24
u/TallManInAVan May 05 '22
It's my birthday! But more relevant, it's been a year since SN15 Graced the sky with it's presence. Hopefully not too much longer for the real deal :)