Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Dec 9, 2020 17:04:29 GMT -6
That was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Congratulations to the SpaceX team for an amazing unprecedented prototype test of the starship. Ended in a big boom but they got soooo much data and the belly flop was so amazingly stable! The flip to vertical was also so smooth. Looked like a flameout of one of the 2 engines relit for landing before landing so speed was too high to stay together.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 13, 2021 14:46:31 GMT -6
Second and third static fire tests completed for SN9 Starship prototype.... First time two tests were completed on one day.... In fact they were done in just a handful of hours without detanking the ship.
High altitude test should happen within a weeks time... Hopefully in a few days and hoping to successfully land this one.
Regardless of the level of success of SN9, SN10 is already mostly assembled and will begin testing soon. Work continues on more prototypes through at least SN17.... May skip over a few and go with SN15 after SN10 or SN11 as it has some significant improvements to the current ones.
Exciting times!
Update... They are going for a third static fire test.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 25, 2021 8:57:12 GMT -6
It appears SpaceX is going for it's next Starship test flight of SN9 (Starship Number 9 or Serial Number 9). Closures are set for noon to 6 PM. Here is one YouTube feed of a bunch of space nerds like myself. Remember this isn't anything officially published by SpaceX. This is from publically available closure notices in Boca Chica on roads, airspace, and marine restrictions indicating they are going for it today. May not happen. The camera feeds are all from the public and many miles away from the facility. If the test happens SpaceX will publish official videos. Haven't heard that SpaceX is doing a live feed themselves but that may change. For the first flight test they came on with a live feed very shortly before take off. Tic marks on the left of the screen are from the public viewing all previous ground testing and the one flight test... Not one given by SpaceX.... But obviously if they get to a siren we all know they are ready to launch barring any program faults that would stop the attempt.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 27, 2021 20:54:27 GMT -6
Decent chance they make a go at a flight tomorrow... No idea when exactly but once you see the list of activities being ticked off you will know they are going to go for it.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 28, 2021 14:28:40 GMT -6
They are trying to launch today but there is a problem with FAA approval..... For some reason FAA recended their approval... I think Elon is on the phone with them.
Fueling operations are starting.. even if it is just a wet rehearsal today.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 28, 2021 17:58:10 GMT -6
Hoping for tomorrow now.... Don't know and may never know why the FAA cancelled and approved flight clearance. Seems to me the performance of the first flight should have given them confidence of a low risk..... It's not like it's going to fly away like an uncontrolled plane...
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Jan 29, 2021 15:48:41 GMT -6
No FAA approval for SN9 flight today...so SpaceX decided to move the next ship SN10 to the test pad along side SN9. No raptor engines installed yet on SN10.
Amazing
Photo source from NASASpaceflight YouTube channel.
Post by Shibumi-Mandeville I-12/Hwy59 on Feb 2, 2021 12:07:59 GMT -6
FAA approval given for flight attempt of SN9. Here is a feed from an independent space news outlet. If the check list on the left gets to propellant loading then they are going for it barring any programmed hold or scrub.
