SpaceX News №32
Will Starship Be Caught by a Tower? A New Date for the Seventh Flight? "Handles" for the New Mechazilla? All this and more in our latest article!
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Contents:
📌 New Tests of Starship Prototypes
📌 Something Strange with S35... Let’s Examine All the Design Changes
📌 A New Date for the Seventh Flight
📌 Megaconstructions at Starbase
📌 Record-breaking Falcon 9
📌 PHEREx: Space Observatory Launch in 2025
1. New Tests of Starship Prototypes
Recently, Booster 15 (B15) was rolled out of the hangar and sent to the Massey’s Range test site. There, it will undergo a series of cryogenic tests, where the booster is filled with liquid nitrogen to check its integrity and ability to withstand extremely low temperatures and high pressure.
Interestingly, this booster prototype is likely to be used for Starship's eighth flight, slated for early 2024. After the anticipated January launch, Super Heavy B15 is expected to fly with Ship 34. Static fire tests aren’t far off either, as SpaceX is reducing the gap between flights and engine tests, as observed in recent launches.
Why Cryogenic Testing?
Cryogenic testing is a crucial pre-launch step to ensure the structure can endure the ultra-cold propellants and oxidizers without deformation or leaks.
- Hot Stage Separation Section:
A new hot stage separation section has been spotted, possibly for Booster 14 (B14). This section ensures the safe and efficient separation of the ship from the booster during flight. Previously relying on centrifugal force for separation, SpaceX pivoted after earlier challenges, embracing an iterative design philosophy: “Through hardships to the stars!” - Reinforced Booster Structure:
Engineers have reinforced areas between the tanks and bulkheads of B14, preparing it for the heavier Starship V2. It’s an impressive feat considering the launch is just weeks away.
SpaceX continues at a breakneck pace, bringing humanity closer to Elon Musk’s vision of the future.
2. Something Strange with S35... Let’s Examine the Changes
While the focus remains on the upcoming seventh flight, S35 has caught attention due to a peculiar new design feature. The nosecone and payload section of S35 revealed notable slots on both sides—absent in earlier prototypes. These are speculated to be attachment points for a direct catch by the Mechazilla tower instead of a traditional ocean landing.
The slots are positioned above alignment sockets for stabilization during capture and below the presumed Starlink antenna bay. Observers speculate they may house mechanisms for landing Starship directly on the tower.
What About S34?
S34, slated to follow the January launch, is unlikely to attempt a tower catch, but if both ship and ground infrastructure are ready, it could mark a historic milestone.
By the way, a little about Starship splashdowns. A photo of Maye Musk (Elon Musk's mother) went viral on X, showing her holding a heat shield tile from S30, recovered after the 5th flight. It appears the tile was retrieved from the Indian Ocean following the splashdown of the spacecraft on October 13 this year. A lovely souvenir from her son! 🚀
3. A New Date for the Seventh Flight
The seventh Starship flight has been rescheduled—for an earlier date! The FAA’s schedule indicates the launch may occur on January 10, a day ahead of the previously announced date.
However, backup dates, such as January 16, remain available. As always with SpaceX, plans may evolve.
4. Megaconstructions at Starbase
Construction continues around Starbase, with significant progress on new infrastructure:
- Second Launch Table: Assembly of a new launch table is underway, with key structural elements visible in recent aerial photos.
Mechazilla Arm System: Assembly for Mechazilla's arm system, including the Ship QD-Arm fueling mechanism, is nearly operational.
The overall view: simply magnificent!
A Painted Table is a Ready Table!
The launch table has been painted, typically signaling that major welding and assembly are complete. Starship’s next launch appears closer than ever.
5. Record-Breaking Falcon 9
Closing 2024 with record-breaking numbers, SpaceX achieved:
One final Falcon 9 launch is planned, which would raise the total for the year to 137 launches, a leap from the 98 launches completed in 2023.
Most Falcon 9 flights supported Starlink, with over 20 commercial launches and 18 government missions. Highlights included Crew-8, Crew-9, and the Polaris Dawn tourist mission. Reusability continues to impress, with most boosters landing successfully, despite a rare mishap in August.
6. PHEREx: Space Observatory Launch in 2025
On February 27, 2025, Falcon 9 will launch the SPHEREx astrophysical observatory into a polar geocentric orbit. Key details:
- Purpose: A 3D map of the entire sky in 102 near-infrared spectral bands, studying galaxy evolution, traces of cosmic inflation, and icy dust clouds in the Milky Way.
- Mass: 178 kg, with a 20-cm telescope.
- Mission Duration: 2 years.
The launch will also include NASA's PUNCH mission, a quartet of satellites to study solar wind dynamics.