SpaceX’s Starship Plans Thrown Off Course! What’s Really Going On?

Summary

This week in space exploration was marked by significant events, including Starship updates, NASA's Artemis mission preparations, and the Polaris Dawn mission. SpaceX faced challenges and delays due to environmental analysis and regulatory hurdles, yet continued work on the launch tower and Pad B. The Polaris Dawn mission made history with the first-ever commercial spacewalk, setting new records for human spaceflight. Meanwhile, SpaceX launched more Starlink satellites and faced competition with AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-smartphone broadband network. NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft is confirmed ready for its upcoming launch to explore Jupiter's moon.

Takeaways

• 🚀 SpaceX continues to make progress at Starbase despite stormy weather, with significant activity around the launch site and crane reconfiguration.
• 🔧 The crane at the launch site was reconfigured for lifting heavy components, indicating preparations for further construction and testing activities.
• 📸 New aerial photos reveal ongoing groundwork at Pad B, with the installation of sheet piles at the flame trench area nearing completion.
• ⚙️ A mysterious object resembling an HLS airlock was moved into the Starfactory, sparking speculation about its potential use for mock-ups or as flight hardware.
• 🔑 The installation of new flaps on a nosecone suggests that construction of another Block 2 upper stage, possibly Ship 34, is underway.
• 🔭 Steel pedestals delivered to the Sanchez site might be related to the new orbital launch mount for Pad B, indicating advances in launch infrastructure.
• 🌀 Test Tank 16, a prototype for Block 2 ships, underwent cryogenic proofing tests, suggesting ongoing efforts to ensure the structural integrity of Starship components.
• 📝 SpaceX expressed frustration over delays in obtaining flight approval from the FAA, citing unnecessary environmental analysis as the cause for postponement.
• 💧 The Environmental Protection Agency's Administrative Order and fines against SpaceX are related to paperwork disagreements, not operational issues, according to SpaceX.
• 🌌 The Polaris Dawn mission made history with the first commercial spacewalk, reaching higher altitudes than any human since the Apollo program.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the week's SpaceX activities mentioned in the script?

The main focus of the week's SpaceX activities included Starship updates, preparations for the Polaris Dawn mission, and addressing the challenges and delays caused by environmental analysis and FAA regulations.

What changes were made to the crane at the launch site during the week?

The crane at the launch site was reconfigured for lifting heavy components around the launch site. This involved lowering the crane’s stay beams to the ground, removing the hook and hook jib, and reducing the height of the jib extensions to allow for operation with no stay beams at all.

What is the significance of the 'Polaris Dawn' mission mentioned in the script?

The 'Polaris Dawn' mission is significant as it represents a major human spaceflight event of the decade, involving the first commercial spacecraft to support a spacewalk, and it took the crew higher in altitude than anyone since the Apollo program ended over half a century ago.

What was the issue with the launch of flight 5 as described in the script?

The issue with the launch of flight 5 was a delay caused by the FAA's environmental analysis, which added over two months to the previously communicated date of mid-September. SpaceX expressed frustration over this delay, which was not based on new safety concerns but rather on what they consider superfluous environmental analysis.

What is the role of the water deluge system in the SpaceX operations and what controversy surrounds it?

The water deluge system is used during rocket launches to suppress acoustic energy and reduce the impact on the environment. The controversy surrounds false reporting that SpaceX operated the system without a permit and that it washes pollutants into the environment. However, SpaceX has a valid permit and tests show negligible traces of contaminants, as they use potable drinking water.

What were the activities at Massey's test site with Ship 31 as described in the script?

At Massey's test site, Ship 31 underwent thermal retiling and was prepared for a static fire after its cryogenic proofing tests. However, the static fire did not occur, possibly due to weather conditions or a test hiccup.

What is the Europa Clipper mission and what updates were provided in the script?

The Europa Clipper is NASA's mission to explore Jupiter's moon Europa. The updates provided in the script include the confirmation that the transistors used in the spacecraft's circuits are capable of withstanding the heavy radiation in the Jovian system, clearing the way for its launch window next month.

What was the outcome of the first commercial spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission?

The first commercial spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission was a success. Jared and Sarah performed mobility tests outside the Dragon spacecraft, and Sarah became the youngest person ever to conduct a spacewalk at the age of 30.

How did the script describe the impact of regulatory delays on SpaceX's progress?

The script describes the impact of regulatory delays as potentially harmful to the U.S. efforts to lead in space technology, suggesting that the delays are not due to safety concerns but rather due to bureaucratic processes and paperwork, which could slow down innovation and progress.

What was the record set by the Polaris Dawn mission crew in terms of distance traveled from Earth?

The Polaris Dawn mission crew set a record by traveling higher in altitude than anyone else since the Apollo program ended over half a century ago, with Anna and Sarah becoming the record holders for the farthest women ever from Earth.