SpaceX Gears Up for First Super Heavy Booster Catch! 🚀 | Starbase Update

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•  Starbase, Texas
• # spacex
• # starship
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23:59:58

Overview

This episode of Starbase Update highlights the significant progress made on Ship 30 and the second Orbital Launch Tower at Starbase, Texas. The main focus is SpaceX's preparation for the first-ever catch attempt of a Super Heavy booster using the "Chopsticks" mechanism. The video details the extensive testing of the Chopsticks with a booster prototype, showcasing the system's speed and precision. While SpaceX is actively preparing for the catch attempt, there's uncertainty about whether it will happen on Starship's fifth flight.

• Infrastructure Developments 🏗️

  • 🗑️

    Demolition of the Old Vertical Tank Farm: SpaceX has almost finished dismantling the old vertical tank farm, with only one tank (GSC 5) remaining. [00:43][02:46]

  • 🏢

    Office Building Progress: The office building is receiving roofing and interior outfitting, with concrete being poured for floors and ceilings. [03:23]

  • 🅿️

    Multi-Story Car Park Nearing Completion: The multi-story car park is almost finished, with workers finalizing the floor outfitting. [03:57]

• Ship 30's Rapid Progress 🚀

  • 🛡️

    Thermal Protection System Overhaul: Ship 30's heat shield replacement is progressing quickly, with new tiles being installed at a rapid pace. [04:21]

  • 🔥

    Focus on Critical Areas: SpaceX has begun addressing the challenging areas of the heat shield, such as the nose cone, which requires uniquely shaped tiles. [05:43]

• Second Orbital Launch Tower Construction 🏗️

  • 🏗️

    Tower Base and Crane Preparation: The concrete base for the second launch tower is nearing completion, and the massive crane (Terex Demag CC8800-D1) is assembled and ready for stacking segments. [06:09][09:33]

  • 📅

    Tower Stacking Timeline: Paperwork from the FAA indicates SpaceX aims to start stacking the tower segments by July 27th and complete the tower by August 15th. [06:48]

  • 🛗

    Tower Segment Production: Tower segments are being produced offsite, receiving paint coatings, plumbing, and raceway installations for utilities and propellants. [07:42]

• Chopsticks Catch Test and Uncertainty 🤔

  • 🤖

    Chopstick Testing with B1 14.1: SpaceX conducted extensive tests of the "Chopsticks" mechanism using booster prototype B1 14.1, including horizontal movements, dry runs, and simulated catch attempts with impacts. [10:57][12:40][13:21][15:14]

  • 💥

    Impact Tests and Calibration: The tests involved the Chopsticks making contact with the booster prototype at varying speeds to calibrate the landing platform and understand the impact forces. [15:21][16:14]

  • ❓

    Uncertainty about Catch Attempt on Flight 5: While SpaceX is prepared, Kathy Lueders, Starbase's general manager, expressed uncertainty about attempting the catch on Starship's fifth flight, suggesting a potential delay. [17:50]

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Install Briefy

Key moments

1. 00:00

   Infrastructure Update

   00:42

   Removal of old vertical tank farm remnants.

   01:23

   Removal of GSE tanks.

   02:45

   Update on the Ship Quick Disconnect system.

   03:00

   Appearance of a new elliptical dome.

   03:23

   Progress on the office building.

   03:56

   Completion of the multi-story car park.

2. 04:05

   Ship 30 Progress

   04:19

   Rapid progress on the thermal protection system overhaul.

   04:38

   Installation of new heat shield tiles.

   05:12

   Challenges in installing specially shaped tiles.

3. 06:09

   Second Launch Tower Update

   06:09

   Around-the-clock work on the new launch structure.

   06:17

   Arrival of the massive crane for tower stacking.

   06:44

   Estimated completion date of the second tower before August 15th.

   07:41

   Ongoing work on tower segments, including paint and plumbing.

   08:31

   Anticipation for updates and additions in the second tower.

4. 10:38

   Chopstick Catch Test

   10:53

   Uncertainty expressed by Kathy Leaders about attempting a catch on flight 5.

   11:05

   Lifting of the test tank B1 14.1 onto the launch mount.

   12:33

   Horizontal and vertical movement tests of the Chopsticks.

   13:10

   Calibration tests to simulate booster landing.

   13:46

   High-speed tests showcasing the Chopsticks' movement.

   14:19

   Precise positioning of the Chopsticks for contact tests.

   15:02

   Road closure indicating increased risk during testing.

   15:13

   Series of "slap" tests to assess impact on the booster.

   16:15

   Testing the damping mechanism on the landing rails.

   17:17

   Removal of the test tank from the launch mount.

   17:29

   SpaceX confirms the Chopsticks test on Twitter.