SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

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SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#1

Post by smp »


From SpaceExplored.com:
"According to two sources, SpaceX could be getting its FAA launch license for its Starship launch vehicle. If true, this could lead to Elon Musk’s state of launching in late April actually being accurate..."

https://spaceexplored.com/2023/03/30/st ... -for-real/

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#2

Post by helicon »


Good for him. SpaceX so far has exceeded expectations as a launch platform. Others (Virgin Orbit, Blue Origin, etc.) have had some problems.
-Michael
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#3

Post by smp »


From the Ars Technica Rocket Report:

"Debut launch of Starship is near. SpaceX moved its Starship vehicle to the launch site in South Texas last weekend, and later stacked it on top of the Super Heavy rocket. Then on Thursday, the company announced the final major test before a launch attempt, a wet dress rehearsal that could take place as soon as Tuesday, April 11. Starship's debut flight on its booster would take place about one week later, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

April showers mean happy launch towers? ... These dates align with what I've been hearing recently, that SpaceX is working toward an April 17 launch attempt of the Starship vehicle from its Starbase site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. Aside from the fueling test, the only other significant hurdle standing between SpaceX's massive rocket and a launch attempt is a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. While such regulatory matters are uncertain, a source said good progress is being made toward issuing such a license during the first two weeks of April."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04 ... n-landing/

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#4

Post by smp »


From Ars Technica:
"SpaceX’s Starship vehicle is ready to fly, just waiting for a launch license"

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04 ... h-license/

Oh, boy! I can't wait!

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#5

Post by Unitron48 »


Starship with super heavy booster is impressive...taller than SLS, and twice the thrust!! Can't wait to see the full up configuration launch.

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#6

Post by Makuser »


Hi Stephen and all. Wow, this is one big Starship. Hopefully the launch license should be the last step for a great launch. Thanks for finding and sharing these news update links for us Stephen, as these are very interesting times for our space exploration efforts.
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#7

Post by Frankskywatcher »


Hope everyone is watching this ? Looks like a “wet dress” for today no liftofff 😞
www.SpaceX.com
Last edited by Frankskywatcher on Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gee if I had known there was so much to see I would have started decades ago ! :Astronomer1:

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#8

Post by smp »


I just tuned in - but it appears that they will not launch today.
They are saying there's a Stage 1 issue that will not allow the launch today, and there will be at least a 48 hour turn-around time.

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#9

Post by smp »


From Ars Technica:

"9:15am ET Update: SpaceX ended Monday's launch attempt of the Starship vehicle about 10 minutes before liftoff. The problem was caused by a stuck pressurization valve. Instead, the company has turned the launch attempt into a wet dress fueling test.

The company has backup opportunities to launch on Tuesday and Wednesday, but since so much liquid oxygen and methane propellant was loaded on board the vehicle, it will take a minimum of 48 hours to recycle into a new countdown."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04 ... ic-launch/

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#10

Post by Makuser »


Hi Frank and Stephen. I read about this launch turned out to just be a "wet dressing" due to stage one problems on Space.com and also on our tv stations. However, I am sure that this giant Starship will have a successful liftoff soon.
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#11

Post by Frankskywatcher »


10 minutes to go hope it lifts off!
https://www.youtube.com/live/uouujjgkR3A?feature=share
Gee if I had known there was so much to see I would have started decades ago ! :Astronomer1:

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#12

Post by Frankskywatcher »


They did it !
Even though it blew up it got off the ground!
Gee if I had known there was so much to see I would have started decades ago ! :Astronomer1:

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#13

Post by smp »


Yes!
Launch was cool. One of the views before main-engine-cutoff appeared to show not all of the main engines were lit (to me anyway). Then, right as the announcers stated that after stage separation the first stage would flip and attempt re-entry & landing, the separation never occurred and the entire rocket began falling and flipped a few times before they destroyed it. Spectacular "unscheduled rapid disassembly" the announcers said, but this seemed more like a planned destruction of the vehicle after it failed to perform properly, rather than an unexpected explosion. I'm sure there will be a number of reports coming out shortly.

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#14

Post by helicon »


From what I read the launch was still considered a success, from a certain point of view.

https://www.marketwatch.com/articles/sp ... y-9eaf2203
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#15

Post by Unitron48 »


What do they say in NASA lingo...."a successful failure". I'm certain they will get it right!!

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#16

Post by GCoyote »


I really hope they get enough data from this to succeed on the next attempt.
Starship is designed to put 100-150 tons into LEO in return mode and up to 250 tons in expendable mode.
The entire ISS only masses 420 tons.
Starship could be a game changer if they can work out the bugs.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#17

Post by Frankskywatcher »


GCoyote wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:10 pm I really hope they get enough data from this to succeed on the next attempt.
Starship is designed to put 100-150 tons into LEO in return mode and up to 250 tons in expendable mode.
The entire ISS only masses 420 tons.
Starship could be a game changer if they can work out the bugs.
A big game changer !
They said that at some point in the future Starship could carry a hu dried people into space?
Gee if I had known there was so much to see I would have started decades ago ! :Astronomer1:

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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#18

Post by helicon »


Musk will get it sorted out. Space X has mostly met the challenges they laid out for themselves, at least more effectively than competitors. While a start-up, it's far more difficult, say, then delivering online meals or shuttling folks around!
-Michael
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#19

Post by SkyHiker »


smp wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 1:52 pm Launch was cool. One of the views before main-engine-cutoff appeared to show not all of the main engines were lit (to me anyway).
Indeed, 8 out of 33, from this new Wikipedia entry. Apparently it took quite a bit of damage.
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Re: SpaceX’s Starship could get its launch license within two weeks

#20

Post by smp »


From Ars Technical:
“ So what was that? Was Starship’s launch a failure or a success?”

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04 ... a-success/

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