It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.

Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.

Thank you.

 

Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.

 

SpaceX META Thread

page: 8
14
<< 5  6  7   >>

log in

join
share:

posted on Sep, 3 2020 @ 09:43 AM
link   
a reply to: mightmight

SAOCOM launched as scheduled but Starlink was delayed due to bad weather in the morning. Starlink launched successfully just a few minutes ago.

Nothing out of the ordinary, also they talked a bit about their initial beta test results on the SpaceX livestream.
Initial results were 'good', showing 'super low latency' and download speeds greater than 100 Mbits.

Also of note, they successfully tested the 'space laser' inter-satellite communication system. This means satellites transferring data between each other instead of just linking up with ground stations individually. This should dramatically increase bandwidth for the network once fully deployed. The first Starlink satellites didn't have the tech deployed, but apparently they're getting there.

SN6 was certainly intended to fly on Sunday and got within a couple of minutes to launch but had to abort on the pad.
The next attempt should happen today, the usual flight restrictions are in place and they already starting closing the roads.



posted on Sep, 3 2020 @ 01:18 PM
link   
a reply to: mightmight

And SN6 just successfully completed its test flight

twitter.com...



posted on Sep, 5 2020 @ 02:56 AM
link   
a reply to: mightmight

Keep posting mate. I like to catch up. Can't wait for the 20 klm hop.

Cheers,

Bally




posted on Sep, 5 2020 @ 03:56 AM
link   
Space X is continuing their rapid pace at the Cape. Two Starlink missions are set to launch in September.
The first will use a booster that has flown two times before (Crew Demo-2 and Anasis), the second has no less than 5 launches under its belt.

The last was Starlink 10 in mid August, demonstrating how quickly they can turn around boosters now.
The bottleneck is the launch facilities at this point, they clearly are able to launch four or more Falcon 9 from the Cape each month, but range limitations and weather delays are the hard limit.
This won't change anything time soon and in fact only get worse if Blue Origin finally flies New Glenn in the coming years.
Musk wants to transition Starlink launches to Starship asap, but i don't see that happening before 2022 tbh.

At Boca Chica, they'll be testing the new SN 7 pressure tank to destruction next week or so. It uses a new improved steel alloy, so they expect higher pressure results.
Then we'll see either additional SN5 or SN6 hops or SN8 and the 20km hop. Since it's Space X the money is on SN8.

Also, at least according to Musk construction of the Super Heavy booster should start soon at Boca Chica.



posted on Sep, 5 2020 @ 04:10 AM
link   
a reply to: mightmight

I'm keen to keep an eye on the booster construction and watch it hop.

Cheers,

Bally



posted on Sep, 16 2020 @ 02:43 AM
link   
Starlink Flight 12 should launch tomorrow on booster 1058. Third flight, last used for ANASIS in July.
Next up will be yet another Starlink flight or the launch of a GPS satellite for the US Space Force on October 1.

At Boca Chica, they've tested the SN7 pressure tank twice already. No explosions so far. Testing is going on at night, which might become the norm unfortunately.

SN8 will be completed with flaps and the nosecone next week according to Musk on twitter.
twitter.com...

So looks like no reflight of SN5 and SN6. They'll move forward with SN8 and if it ruds, construction of SN9 and SN10 is well underway.
No sign of Super Heavy construction yet, but i bet they started already too since they have the capacity. I think they expected to lose more Starhip prototypes during testing but with the succesfull flights of SN5 and SN6 they already have more prototypes than they can handle at Boca Chica.
If SN8 survives as well, they can try the bellyflop and push for orbit with the then existing SN8 to 10. The design must be frozen at some point.



posted on Sep, 23 2020 @ 07:50 AM
link   
The Starlink launch was postponed due to strong currents in the recovery area. Not surprising with three hurricanes roaming the Atlantic.
Musk said they’ll again upgrade the drone ships propulsion to be able to launch in such conditions. We’ll see if it happens, it’s entirely possible Starship will have taken over Starlink launches by this time next year anyway.

Next launch date for Starlink 12 is September 27 1443 GMT.
The GPS satellite launch is scheduled for September 29 at 1200 GMT.
After that we’ll see at least another Starlink launch before Crew-1 on October 23.

At Boca Chica, the SN7 tank has been finally tested to destruction a couple of hours ago. Looked like it was supposed to look i guess. The forward bulkhead blew off, the tank welds didn’t burst.



SpaceX spent a bit more time on testing the tank than previously assumed. Unknown if they had issues with the tank or ground equipment or they were able to run more tests than anticipated.
Next up is ground testing of SN8 including two static fires.

The first construction elements (steel rings) for the Super Heavy booster have already been spotted as well. I expect to see rapid progress, Musk is aiming for a fully stacked Super Heavy Starship for it’s Starship Update Conference at the end of October (read, after Crew-1 launch).

If there are not issues with SN8 and they are ready to streamline the ground tests, they can do the 20km before the end of October too. Expect delays though, they might get hit by some rough weather the coming days/weeks.

edit on 23-9-2020 by mightmight because: (no reason given)



posted on Oct, 6 2020 @ 12:18 AM
link   
Scrub, scrub, scrub, scrub and scrub.

The mission Starlink-12 was scrubbed for a fourth time yesterday. Only once they had a technical issue with the ground support equipment, the other three aborts happened due to poor weather conditions. The rocket is apparently fine. Next launch attempt is today 11:29 UTC.
GPS SV04 was also aborted two das ago with just two seconds remaining on the countdown. One of the engines had an unexpected pressure reading during startup. They have since lowered the rocket and will probably swap the engine. No new launch date yet.

Predictably, Musk was pretty pissed about this and announced he would visit the launch facilities to review the situation in person. There is only so much he can do though. He can’t change the weather and minor technical issues will always delay launches from time to time. Sometimes stuff just breaks.

It also doesn’t help that the Delta IV NROL-44 also hasn’t launched yet. This mission was supposed to launch in August (!) and it had no less than six aborted launch attempts so far. This is causing all kinds of scheduling issues and high workload for the launch support personnel.

If SpaceX wants to increase launch volume they need to expand capacity. They‘re currently operating a very small booster fleet, two drone ships and two launch facilities and are trying for two if not three launches each month. The numbers work out if nothing goes wrong, but as long as minor things as slightly unfavorable weather conditions scrub rocket launches, there will always be something going wrong.

Anyway, in other news, SpaceX won a contract to build four missile tracking satellites fort he SDA. They satellites will be based on Starlink.
spacenews.com...

As for Starship, not much happening with SN8 yet. Expect tank pressure testing to begin soon tomorrow. The 20km hop is cancelled though, they will have a somewhat shorter, equally suited flight for what they want to test first.
And the next Starship presentation is still on for the end of the month.




top topics



 
14
<< 5  6  7   >>

log in

join