Hello, we are TheSpaceXFans and welcome to
TheSpaceXShow, the place where you can stay
up to date with everything SpaceX.
Kicking off this episode, we will take a look
at the recent record breaking Starlink-10
launch and other SpaceX updates.
Then, as always we will check out Boca Chica
with infrastructure and Starship updates so
let’s head straight in and get up to date…
So, as mentioned, the first thing to talk
about today is the recent launch of Starlink-10
and 3 SkySat satellites.
This is the first time launching an orbital
class rocket booster on its 6th mission.
B1049.6 then came back down from space to
become the first orbital class rocket booster
to land propulsively 6 times.
On top of this, the fairing halves used on
this mission were re-used from a previous
mission.
During this Starlink-10 mission, Go Ms. Tree
caught one of the fairing halves.
However, unfortunately Go Ms. Chief was unable
to catch her fairing so it made a soft water
landing and was fished out.
I’m also going to add some information about
another launch that we could expect to see
lift off this month.
Previously supposed to launch all the way
back in March of 2020, the SAOCOM-1B satellite
could lift off on Thursday August 27th as
you can see on TheSpaceXFans website.
According to a Tweet from space reporter Michael
Sheetz, SpaceX sought just over $2 billion
in funding and managed to obtain just over
$1.9 billion instead.
There was a Tweet from Michael Baylor reiterating
what ULA said, which is “reusability will
only make sense after 10 flights.”
Musk responded and gave some information on
the economics of reusing boosters by saying
“Payload reduction due to reusability of
booster & fairing is <40% for F9 & recovery
& refurb is <10%, so you’re roughly even
with 2 flights, definitely ahead with 3”.
So, other than those updates, there’s no
other standard SpaceX updates to cover, so
over to Boca Chica.
To begin these updates, we will start over
by the Super Heavy launch pad construction.
They’ve recently added a tube down the middle
and some bars to hold up the rebar structures.
Some people were thinking it could be a water
tower but as Jack Beyer has pointed out it’s
not a water tower.
Whilst only speculative, and based on what
we’ve seen recently, here is a great diagram
of how the mount could end up looking.
The test mount that has been sitting outside
for months is now on the move.
It was moved to the lower pad where the first
SN7 tank recently was.
I’m sure the plan is to use it for SN7.1
testing, but the question is whether they
will continue to use it.
I sort of want to think they might install
ground support equipment and pipes to be able
to test multiple Starship prototypes at once.
Moving on and over to the construction yard,
an interesting addition to the mid bay has
been spotted.
They’ve added some cool LED lights and whilst
I doubt it helps with Starship development,
it looks great.
I want to assume it’s maybe to prepare for
the Starship presentation next month.
Also over in the production area, the high
bay is still progressing at pace as they continue
with the 4th level.
I suggested maybe this was the final level
of the high bay last episode, but others suggested
otherwise.
So, it’s possible that the reason these
panels are smaller in height could be because
of wind.
Moving onto some Starship and Raptor information,
we have a series of Tweets from Elon Musk.
First of all, Musk tweeted these pictures
of Raptor and Raptor data, along with the
caption of “Raptor engine just reached 330
bar chamber pressure without exploding!”
Further Raptor information was released by
Musk on Twitter in response to a Tweet from
Chris Bergin.
Elon Musk responded to say “SN40 is about
to be tested & has several upgrades over 330
bar engine.
For reference, 330 bar on Raptor produces
~225 tons (half a million pounds) of force.”
So, SpaceX are already on Raptor SN40, that’s
insane, but they’re going to need a heck
of a lot more of these engines.
Somebody recently Tweeted a video with a great
rendering of Starship performing a 20km flight.
During the video, Starship was reoriented
using its RCS thrusters so Musk corrected
it.
He said “Very impressive render.
Note, legs will be bigger & there’ll be
way more stuff in engine bay.
Main engines actually do majority of work
in turning ship vertical before landing.”
Further to this, Everyday Astronaut Tweeted
about Merlin and Raptor’s abilities to throttle
down.
Musk’s response was “Max demonstrated
Raptor thrust is ~225 tons & min is ~90 tons,
so they’re actually quite similar.
Both Merlin & Raptor could throttle way lower
with added design complexity.
Raptor preburner & Merlin gas generator flameout
are what limit lower bound.”
So, with those Starship and Raptor updates
covered, let’s actually take a look at some
Starship pieces.
First up, there’s a new 3 ring stack that
was spotted outside, although the intended
Starship is currently unknown.
Spotted arriving recently were a whole load
of new Starship components.
Somebody asked me where these are produced
and I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure they’re
manufactured in Hawthorne.
However, here you can see more of those new
version 1.1 legs.
There were also some other components on the
trailer that were covered in tarp.
When the cover was removed, we got to see
even more components, with a downcomer and
a thrust puck.
Given that we’ve seen a bunch of these recently,
I want to guess that these new pieces are
possibly for SN9.
As well, another Starship piece being worked
on is that other 3 ring stack we saw last
episode with cutouts.
Looks like they’re cutting this barrel section
further and doesn’t look like something
we’ve seen before.
So again, I’m going to say this could have
just been for testing and may be destined
for the scrap pile.
With those Starship updates covered, let’s
take a look at the main Starship news with
the testing of SN6.
Prior to the test, engineers were adding the
final touches before the cryogenic proof test.
Some interesting footage that was captured
has some audio which I presume is coming from
Starhopper.
“Attention on the pad, Starship is powering
on for the operation, Starship is powering
on for the operation today.”
Then, on Sunday, August 16th, the pad was
cleared and the road was closed.
Throughout the day, the company did some ambient
and cryogenic proof testing.
This is the first step in the process of making
sure this vehicle can sustain the pressure
and fuel, definitely don’t want to see another
failure.
Thanks to LabPadre for allowing me to use
this footage.
With that important step in the testing process
complete, engineers then began working to
remove the thrust simulator.
With that, engineers are going to begin to
look at installing the Raptor engine that
SN6 will fly with.
As it turns out, we already know which Raptor
serial number will be assisting SN6 with its
testing.
Here we have Raptor SN29 as it heads to the
launch area to be installed to the underside
of Starship SN6.
Engineers were also spotted lifting the engine
up inside the test mount to position it for
SN6 installation.
As you will find out in just a moment, they’re
going to be getting the engine and tank ready
at a rapid pace.
We have some dates in which to expect testing,
as the FAA has posted a new Notice to Airmen.
The FAA document places a temporary flight
restriction for August 19th until September
2nd.
Not only does that TFR give us some information
about when testing will happen, but we also
have some road and beach closures.
With a primary testing date of August 24th
and backups of 25th and 26th, we should expect
to see a static fire on Monday.
As always, an enormous thank you to Mary,
known more commonly as BocaChicaGal for going
out in the blazing Texas heat to film this
awesome footage.
Also, a huge thank you to NASASpaceFlight
team for all their work and dedication.
That’s it for this episode of TheSpaceXShow,
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Thanks for watching and have a great day!
