Incredible New SpaceX Starship Flight 4 Info, and Great News from the FAA!
TLDRThis week's update covers SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 aftermath, revealing minimal launch site damage and the innovative use of a water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate. Preparations for Flight 5 are underway, with Elon Musk suggesting a booster catch attempt. The FAA releases an environmental impact assessment for Starship launches at Launch Complex 39A, hinting at a tower for vehicle catches. Stoke Space achieves a successful hot fire test of their Nova rocket's full flow staged combustion engine, a significant milestone for reusability. The community celebrates Tony Bela's detailed Infographics and Axiom Space's EMU spacesuit test for Artemis III.
Takeaways
- 🚀 SpaceX's Flight 4 Starship test was successful, with the FAA forgoing a mishap investigation, allowing for quicker preparation for Flight 5.
- 🛰️ The launch site post-Flight 4 shows minimal damage, with the stainless steel deflector plate changing color due to high temperatures, not damage.
- 🔧 Damage to the flame diverters and some hold down clamps will be easily repaired, with ten clamps already replaced for the next flight.
- 🏗️ Construction for the second orbital pad is progressing swiftly, with the pile cap for the integration tower completed and new tower base parts delivered.
- 🤖 The new tower will be assembled more efficiently, focusing on minimizing refurbishment time between flights.
- 🔄 The old vertical liquid oxygen tanks are being removed, and new insulated water storage tanks show minor damage with insulation blown off.
- 🔄 For future vehicles, Booster 15's liquid oxygen tank is being constructed with a vent possibly for a secondary autogenous pressurization system.
- 🛠️ Ship 30 for Flight 5 is undergoing significant changes, including the removal and replacement of a Raptor engine and a complete heat shield replacement.
- 🔥 The heat shield on Ship 30 will be reinforced with silicon felt ablative material for better protection in case of tile damage.
- 📈 SpaceX is testing deployment of catching rails on the tower arms for Flight 5's booster catch attempt, a significant engineering feat if successful.
- 🌎 The FAA has released an environmental impact assessment for Starship launches at Launch Complex 39A, including proposals for vehicle catches and additional infrastructure.
Q & A
What was the main topic discussed in the video script?
-The main topic discussed in the video script is the latest updates on SpaceX's Starship flight test four, the condition of the launch site post-launch, and the preparations for flight 5, including construction progress and modifications to the vehicles.
How did the water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate appear after the launch?
-The water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate appeared to have taken on a shiny gold color, which is a normal color change depending on the temperature it was exposed to and not indicative of severe damage.
What was the damage observed at the flame diverters?
-There was significant damage observed at the flame diverters, particularly at the base of the six legs, which looked like they had taken a beating. However, this damage can be resolved by replacing them or adding extra shielding.
What is the plan for the damaged hold down clamps?
-At least ten of the hold down clamps have already been replaced ahead of the next flight, indicating ongoing preparations for the upcoming launch.
What is the current condition of the launch tower?
-The launch tower is in fairly good condition with only a few small chunks of damage. There are some holes in the cladding at the top and the ship quick disconnect is sitting at a weird angle, but none of these issues will delay flight 5.
What is the proposal for SpaceX's flight 5 regarding the booster?
-Elon Musk suggested that SpaceX would attempt to catch the booster with the tower in flight 5, which would be a significant achievement if successful.
What is the status of the tank farm after flight 4?
-The tank farm took minimal damage, but the old vertical liquid oxygen tanks were significantly dented. These tanks are being removed anyway as part of the ongoing updates to the launch infrastructure.
What is the construction progress for the second orbital pad?
-The construction for the second orbital pad is progressing with the pile cap for the integration tower already poured, and new embeds installed in the rebar. The delivery of multiple tower base parts made out of stainless steel has also been observed.
What is the purpose of the vent installed in the middle of the liquid oxygen tank on Booster 15?
-The exact purpose of the vent is not known, but it might be involved in a secondary autogenous pressurization manifold, possibly not directly placed around the very cold common dome with the liquid methane right above.
What changes are being made to Ship 30 for flight 5?
-Ship 30 is undergoing a significant makeover, including the replacement of its heatshield with a silicon felt ablative backup behind the tiles for added protection, and the installation of a new Raptor engine, number 390, replacing the previous Vacuum number 378.
What was the outcome of the FAA's assessment regarding the need for a mishap investigation after flight 4?
-The FAA stated that they do not need a mishap investigation for flight 4, indicating that the mission went well and clearing the way for flight 5 to take off as soon as SpaceX is ready.
Outlines
🚀 SpaceX Flight Test 4 and Launch Site Recovery
This paragraph discusses the aftermath of SpaceX's flight test four, focusing on the condition of the launch site and the surprising updates for flight 5 Starship. The water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate has changed to a gold color due to high temperatures, but there is no severe damage. Flame diverters at the base of the legs show damage, and hold down clamps are being replaced in preparation for the next flight. Elon Musk suggests that SpaceX may attempt to catch the booster with the tower in flight 5, and tests for the catching rails are underway. The tank farm suffered minimal damage, and old vertical liquid oxygen tanks are being removed. The construction of a second orbital pad is progressing, with the integration tower's pile cap completed and new embeds installed in the rebar. The delivery of tower base parts and the focus on minimizing refurbishment between flights are also highlighted.
🛠️ Construction and Preparations for Future Starship Flights
The second paragraph delves into the construction progress for future Starship vehicles. Booster 15's liquid oxygen tank is being assembled, with a new vent installed above the carbon dioxide tanks, possibly for a secondary autogenous pressurization system. Ship 30, designated for flight 5, underwent significant changes, including the removal and replacement of a Raptor engine and the complete replacement of the heatshield with stronger ceramic tiles and a silicon felt ablative backup. The removal of the heatshield tiles has begun, and the new design is expected to provide better protection. Additionally, the paragraph mentions the static fire test of Ship 26 and its relocation to the Rocket Garden, as well as a sponsorship message regarding online data protection.
🔥 Analysis of Flight 4 Engine Issues and Landing Accuracy
This section provides an analysis of the engine issues encountered during the initial ascent of flight 4, where one Raptor engine shut down and another was throttled down. The software compensated for the uneven thrust, and the landing accuracy was impressive, with the ship splashing down only six kilometers from the target. The forward right flap experienced significant heat damage, but the rear flaps seemed to be in better condition. The FAA has stated that there will be no mishap investigation, clearing the way for flight 5 to proceed as soon as SpaceX is ready. The community's support and contributions, such as Tony Bela's infographics and LunarCaveman's 3D printed model, are acknowledged.
🌌 Updates on Starship Environmental Assessment and Artemis Campaign
The fourth paragraph covers the FAA's release of a fact sheet for the ongoing environmental impact assessment of Starship launches at Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The document outlines potential landing options for both the booster and the ship, including the possibility of landing on drone ships or being expended into the ocean. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the Artemis campaign's progress, with astronauts testing the Axiom Space's next-generation EMU spacesuit in an integrated pressurized environment. This test is a significant milestone towards the Artemis III mission and the return of boots on the moon.
🌟 Starlink Expansion and Virgin Galactic's Final VSS Unity Mission
This section highlights the rapid expansion of Starlink, with the service now available in 100 countries and recent satellite launches. The Group 10-1 Mission marked the 300th Falcon 9 landing, while the Group 8-8 Mission featured a mix of regular and direct-to-cell satellites. Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity conducted its final mission, Galactic 7, which was an international research mission combined with a private experience for the crew. The mission was celebrated as a significant achievement before the transition to the next-generation Delta-class vehicle, expected to begin flight tests around 2026.
🔥 Stoke Space's Nova Rocket Engine Test
The final paragraph announces Stoke Space's successful hot fire test of their Nova rocket's stage one engine, a full flow staged combustion engine using Methane and Oxygen, similar to SpaceX's Raptor. The engine was designed in just 18 months and aims to achieve higher efficiency and complete reusability. The test produced an output of around 350,000 horsepower and is designed to deliver over 100,000 pounds of thrust at full power. CEO Andy Lapsa emphasizes the benefits of full flow staged combustion for reusability and performance. The video concludes with an invitation to subscribe for more space-related content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡SpaceX
💡Starship
💡FAA
💡Raptor
💡Heatshield
💡Stainless Steel
💡Crawler Crane
💡Starlink
💡Axiom Space
💡Full Flow Staged Combustion
Highlights
SpaceX’s flight test four showed the launch site in surprisingly good condition post-launch.
Stainless steel deflector plate changed color due to high temperatures but showed no severe damage.
Flame diverters and hold down clamps sustained damage but are easily repairable.
Launch tower suffered minor damage but is ready for flight 5 without delay.
Elon Musk suggests SpaceX may attempt to catch the booster with the tower in flight 5.
Tank farm experienced minimal damage, with old vertical liquid oxygen tanks being replaced.
Construction for the second orbital pad is accelerating with the use of the existing tank farm.
Pile cap for the integration tower has been completed, with 180 concrete trucks involved.
New embeds in the rebar and stainless steel tower base parts indicate a focus on minimizing refurbishment time.
Demag CC 8800-1 crawler crane parts are being delivered for the stacking of the second tower.
Last two tower segments and arms are en route to Starbase, expected to arrive by June 23rd.
Booster 15’s liquid oxygen tank is under construction with a new vent installed above the CO2 tanks.
Ship 30 for flight 5 is undergoing changes, including the removal and replacement of a Raptor engine.
Heatshield of Ship 30 will be completely replaced with a stronger ceramic tile and ablative backup.
FAA has stated that flight 4 did not require a mishap investigation, clearing the way for flight 5.
Stoke Space successfully completed their first hot fire test of a full flow staged combustion engine using Methane and Oxygen.
Axiom Space conducted an integrated pressurized environment test for their next-generation EMU spacesuit.
Starlink is now available in 100 countries, with recent launches including Group 10-1 and Group 8-8.
Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity completed its final mission, Galactic 7, with a focus on research and changing perspectives.