News Changes to the SpaceX BFR rocket.

[steph]

Well, ook ... good thing they found that out now, at least

I think the main risk is the other few launches failing due to water hammer / LO2 venting/ loss of the booster. Not exactlt encouraging

 

[GLS]

NASA footage!
compilation:

original files (higher quality):
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...2-0-to-207-starship2-nov2023-wb57-visible.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...o-end-starship2-nov2023-wb57-visible.mp4-.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...to-253-2023-11-18-gss-starship2-land-720p.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...d-2023-11-18-gss-starship2-land-720p.mp4-.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...to-107-starship2-nov2023-wb57-ll-vis.mp4-.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...to-213-starship2-nov2023-wb57-ll-vis.mp4-.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...to-end-starship2-nov2023-wb57-ll-vis.mp4-.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...28-2023-11-18-gss-starship2-offshore-720p.mp4
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/upl...23-11-18-gss-starship2-offshore-720p.mp4-.mp4

Clearly hiding the staging and kaput.
Also, good view of lots and lots of missing tiles

 

[diogom]

While known for a while now due to pre-built tower segments being barged in from KSC, plans for a second integrated launch tower at Starbase are now in motion with the Army Corps of Engineers as of February 12:

https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/regulatory/PN%20Feb/PN_2012-00381_V3.pdf?ver=GBLBVfnoP3UTmTrf-xsCvw%3d%3d

Confirming the location to be at the current suborbital site, west of the current tower, hinted at by the earlier tearing down of Suborbital Pad A and Lueders' confirmation of ship static fires moving to the Massey's test area up Highway 4, where a flame trench (for ships, not boosters) has been under construction. This changes the original plan for putting it south of the current tower, and seems to reduce impact to 0.16 acres of wetland already within the property:

https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/regulatory/PN%20Feb/Plans_201200381_V3.pdf?ver=1T_xJvrcNlG_oWwZbyCI5g%3d%3d

As soon as Flight 3 launches and Pad B is no longer needed, they will probably get to tearing it down and ground work. Speaking of which, the Flight 2 report is submitted and license modification is applied for, although the latest wet dress showed they're also not technically ready yet.

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1765383148240544002

 

[diogom]

Key differences for F3 are testing of the payload door, internal propellant transfer, Raptor relight in orbit and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

 

[diogom]

Officially on for tomorrow 14th, starting at noon UTC. If weather allows, that is, winds don't look great I think.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768004039680426406

 

[GLS]

Currently targeted for 12:30 GMT

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768231845551096149

 

[Sunhillow]

I really hope that this time they can prove whether Starship can withstand a re-entry in one piece.

There is also a YT stream:

 

[GLS]

Delayed to 13:10 GMT.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768246454328742222

I really hope that this time they can prove whether Starship can withstand a re-entry in one piece.

There is also a YT stream:

Not official: @SpaceX034

 

[GLS]

Live stream of Everyday Astronaut

 

[GLS]

Now 13:25 GMT

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768251797846847981

 

[GLS]

Official stream https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-3

 

[GLS]

T-3 minutes

 

[GLS]

T0, liftoff!

 

[GLS]

Staging and ignition

 

[GLS]

Booster landing failed

 

[GLS]

Starship engine shutdown

 

[GLS]

Nominal "orbital" insertion

 

[Urwumpe]

So, booster landed soft at Mach 0.9, but the spaceship reached the test suborbit.

 

[GLS]

Booster landing failed

Only 2 or 3 engines ignited before the water. During the boostback burn, several neighboring engines were shutting down, so something might have happened.

PLB door opening.