Incredible New SpaceX Starship Flight 4 Info, and Great News from the FAA!

Marcus House
15 Jun 202422:25

TLDRThis week's space update covers SpaceX's successful flight test four and preparations for flight five, including damage assessments and improvements to the launch site. The FAA's environmental impact assessment for Starship launches at Launch Complex 39A is highlighted, along with advancements in spacesuit testing for lunar missions and the expansion of Starlink's global reach. Stoke Space's milestone with their Nova rocket's first hot fire test of a full flow staged combustion engine is also featured.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 SpaceX's Flight 4 of the Starship has concluded with both vehicles presumably at the bottom of the ocean, but the launch site shows minimal damage.
  • 🔥 The water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate appeared gold in color due to temperature exposure, indicating no severe damage.
  • 🔧 Damage to the flame diverters and some hold down clamps has been assessed and is repairable, with ten clamps already replaced for the next flight.
  • 🏗️ The launch tower sustained minor damage, but nothing that would delay Flight 5; SpaceX is also testing catching rails for the booster's landing.
  • 🛠️ The tank farm took minimal damage, and old vertical liquid oxygen tanks are being removed, showing the effectiveness of perlite insulation.
  • 📈 SpaceX is making strides with the construction of a second orbital pad, with the integration tower's pile cap already poured and new embeds installed.
  • 📦 The delivery of multiple tower base parts and focus on minimizing refurbishment time between flights indicates a rapid construction pace.
  • 🚢 The last two tower segments and arms are en route to Starbase, with an expected arrival around June 23rd.
  • 🛑 For future vehicles, Booster 15's liquid oxygen tank is being constructed with a new vent, possibly for a secondary autogenous pressurization system.
  • 🛰️ Ship 30, intended for Flight 5, underwent changes including the removal and replacement of a Raptor engine, and a complete heat shield replacement.
  • 📡 Starlink has expanded to 100 countries, with recent satellite launches including Group 10-1 and Group 8-8, marking milestones in Falcon 9 landings.

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, including the analysis of the launch site damage, the construction progress for future flights, and other related space news.

  • 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 very shiny gold color, which initially raised concerns about potential severe damage. However, it was explained that stainless steel can change colors depending on the temperature it is exposed to, indicating no significant problem.

  • What was the damage observed at the flame diverters?

    -The flame diverters at the base of the six legs showed significant damage, looking like they took a beating. However, this damage can be resolved by replacing them or adding extra shielding.

  • How many hold down clamps were replaced ahead of the next flight?

    -At least ten of the hold down clamps were replaced ahead of the next flight.

  • What is the plan for SpaceX's flight 5 regarding the booster?

    -For flight 5, SpaceX plans to attempt to catch the booster with the tower during the flight, which would be a significant achievement if successful.

  • What is the status of the construction for the second orbital pad?

    -The construction for the second orbital pad is progressing well, with the huge 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 changes are being made to Ship 30 for flight 5?

    -Ship 30 is undergoing a significant makeover, including the replacement of the entire heat shield with a new one that has a silicon felt ablative backup behind the tiles for added protection.

  • How accurate was the Ship landing in flight 4?

    -The Ship landing in flight 4 was very accurate, with the vehicle splashing down around six kilometers geographically from the target location, and all three sea level engines firing up for the flip landing burn.

  • What is the update on the Artemis campaign mentioned in the script?

    -The update on the Artemis campaign includes an integrated pressurized environment test of Axiom Space’s next-generation Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, which is a significant milestone for the Artemis III mission.

  • What is the significance of Stoke Space's announcement regarding their Nova rocket?

    -Stoke Space announced the successful completion of their first hot fire test of a stage one engine of their Nova rocket, which is notable because it is a full flow staged combustion engine using Methane and Oxygen as propellants, similar to SpaceX’s Raptor engine.

  • What is the current status of Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity?

    -Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity has completed its final mission. The next generation vehicle, known as the Delta-class, is expected to start assembly later this year, with flight tests potentially happening around a year after that.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Post-Flight Analysis and Launch Site Condition

This paragraph discusses the aftermath of SpaceX's flight test four and the surprising updates for flight 5 Starship. The launch site appears to be in relatively good condition, with the water-cooled stainless steel deflector plate showing a gold color due to temperature changes, indicating no severe damage. Flame diverters and hold-down clamps sustained damage but are manageable. Elon Musk suggests a plan to catch the booster with the tower in flight 5, and deployment tests for catching rails have begun. The tank farm suffered minimal damage, and old vertical liquid oxygen tanks are being removed. The construction for a second orbital pad is progressing swiftly, with the integration tower's pile cap completed and new embeds installed in the rebar. The focus is on minimizing refurbishment time between flights, and parts for a new crane are being delivered to facilitate the stacking of the next tower segments.

05:03

🛠️ Construction and Development of Future Starship Vehicles

The script details the ongoing construction for future Starship vehicles, including the growth of Booster 15's liquid oxygen tank, which now features a vent above the carbon dioxide tanks, possibly for a secondary autogenous pressurization system. Ship 30 for flight 5 underwent changes, including the removal and replacement of a Raptor engine, and plans to replace the entire heat shield with a silicon felt ablative backup for enhanced protection. The construction of the new tank farm is also mentioned, with the old tanks being removed and new insulated water storage tanks experiencing some damage. The video script also highlights the progress at the build site, with the Rocket Garden receiving Ship 26 after its static fire test.

10:04

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15:07

🌌 SpaceX Flight 4 Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment

The script provides an analysis of SpaceX's flight 4, where one Raptor engine shut down after liftoff but was compensated by the software throttling down another engine. The accuracy of the ship's soft splashdown in the ocean was impressive, with a preplaced camera capturing the event. Elon Musk confirmed the ship landed about six kilometers from the target with all three sea-level engines firing for the landing burn. The FAA has stated that no mishap investigation is needed, clearing the way for flight 5. Additionally, the FAA released a fact sheet for the ongoing environmental impact assessment for Starship launches at Launch Complex 39A, including proposals for vehicle catches and additional storage tanks.

20:11

🌑 Axiom Space's EMU Test and Starlink Expansion

Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, conducted an integrated pressurized environment test using their next-generation Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit for the Artemis III mission. The test aimed to ensure the compatibility of the spacesuit with the lander design and gather critical feedback for system upgrades. The Starlink network also saw expansion, becoming available in 100 countries, with two Starlink satellite launches, one from SLC-40 and another from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the 300th Falcon 9 landing and setting a new record for booster reuse.

🚀 Stoke Space's Nova Rocket Engine Test

Stoke Space successfully completed the first 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 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. Stoke Space's CEO emphasized the benefits of full flow staged combustion for reusability, performance, and engine longevity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡SpaceX

SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. It is known for its ambitious goals of enabling multiplanetary human life and has developed several rockets and spacecraft, including the Falcon series and the Starship. In the video, SpaceX is central to the discussion about the progress and updates on the Starship flight tests and its technology.

💡Starship

The Starship is a spacecraft and rocket under development by SpaceX as part of its interplanetary transportation system. It is designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The video script discusses the details of the Starship's flight tests, particularly flight 4, and the subsequent plans for flight 5.

💡Raptor

The Raptor engine is a full-flow staged combustion cycle engine developed by SpaceX for use in the Starship launch vehicle. It is capable of deep throttling and is designed to use liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants. The script mentions the Raptor engine in the context of the Starship's flight 4 and the changes made to Ship 30's engine configuration.

💡Heatshield

A heatshield is a protective covering designed to protect a spacecraft from the intense heat generated during atmospheric re-entry. The script discusses the replacement of the heatshield on Ship 30, which involved removing the existing tiles and installing a new, stronger ceramic tile heatshield with a silicon felt ablative backup for enhanced protection.

💡Flame Diverters

Flame diverters are structures at the base of a rocket that direct the exhaust gases away from the launch pad and vehicle during liftoff. The video script mentions damage to the flame diverters after the Starship's flight tests, indicating the need for repairs or additional shielding.

💡Holds Down Clamps

Hold-down clamps are mechanisms that secure a rocket to the launch pad during countdown and release it for liftoff. The script notes that at least ten of these clamps were replaced after the Starship's flight tests, which is part of the routine maintenance and preparation for the next flight.

💡FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the United States government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation. In the context of the video, the FAA is mentioned in relation to the environmental impact assessment for Starship launches and the potential for future flight operations.

💡Stainless Steel Deflector Plate

The stainless steel deflector plate is a component of the SpaceX launch infrastructure designed to protect the launch pad from the heat and energy of rocket exhaust. The script describes how the plate changed color after a launch, which is a normal phenomenon due to the high temperatures it withstands.

💡Crawler Crane

A crawler crane is a large, mobile crane that moves on tracks, used for heavy lifting tasks such as the assembly of large structures. The script mentions the delivery of parts for a Demag CC 8800-1 crawler crane, which will be used in the construction and stacking of the Starship launch tower.

💡Ablative Material

Ablative material is a type of substance that is designed to wear away or burn off under high heat, carrying away heat and protecting the underlying structure. In the script, the use of a silicon felt ablative material as a backup to the ceramic tiles on the heatshield of Ship 30 is discussed to enhance the spacecraft's thermal protection.

💡Starlink

Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, aimed at providing global internet coverage through low Earth orbit satellites. The script mentions the expansion of the Starlink network, with the service becoming available in 100 countries and the launch of additional Starlink satellites.

Highlights

SpaceX’s flight test four showed the launch site in surprisingly good condition despite two vehicles now at the bottom of separate oceans.

The stainless steel deflector plate exhibited a gold color due to temperature exposure, indicating no severe damage.

Flame diverters at the base of the six legs showed damage, but are easily replaceable or shield-able.

Ten hold down clamps were replaced in preparation for the next flight, maintaining tradition.

Elon Musk suggested SpaceX may attempt to catch the booster with the tower in flight 5, a feat that would be groundbreaking.

The tank farm sustained minimal damage, with old vertical liquid oxygen tanks showing significant denting, expected as they are being removed.

SpaceX plans to use the same tank farm for a second orbital pad, expediting the setup process.

The construction of the integration tower is progressing with the pile cap already poured and new embeds installed.

SpaceX is focusing on minimizing refurbishment time between flights, with the delivery of multiple tower base parts.

A Demag CC 8800-1 crawler crane with a 1,600-tonne lifting capability is being delivered for the tower assembly.

The last two tower segments and the tower arms are on their way to Starbase, expected to arrive around June 23rd.

Booster 15’s liquid oxygen tank is being constructed with a vent installed above one of the Carbon Dioxide tanks for potential secondary pressurization.

Ship 30 for flight 5 is undergoing changes, including the removal of Raptor Vacuum 378 and its replacement with Raptor 390.

Elon Musk announced the complete replacement of Ship 30’s heatshield with a silicon felt ablative backup for added protection.

The FAA has stated that flight 4 did not require a mishap investigation, allowing flight 5 to proceed as soon as SpaceX is ready.

Stoke Space completed their first hot fire test of a full flow staged combustion engine using Methane and Oxygen, similar to SpaceX’s Raptor.

Axiom Space conducted an integrated pressurized environment test for their next-generation EMU spacesuit in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.

Starlink is expanding rapidly, 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, marking the end of an era for the suborbital spaceplane.

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