Starship #11 moves to launchpad
Capitalism in space: Less than a week since the flight and destruction of Starship prototype #10 post flight, SpaceX has now moved Starship #11 to the launchpad.
There is no firm word on when they will attempt to fly this prototype, but based on past history, they will likely do at least one static fire test this week and schedule the flight for next week. All will depend of course on weather and on the results of the static fire test. For example, with #10 they found they needed to replace one engine after the first static fire test.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Capitalism in space: Less than a week since the flight and destruction of Starship prototype #10 post flight, SpaceX has now moved Starship #11 to the launchpad.
There is no firm word on when they will attempt to fly this prototype, but based on past history, they will likely do at least one static fire test this week and schedule the flight for next week. All will depend of course on weather and on the results of the static fire test. For example, with #10 they found they needed to replace one engine after the first static fire test.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Is there a more exciting company in the world?
This must be like watch RCA in the roaring Twenties.
They were cryotesting on Tuesday. Move in on Monday. Start testing on tuesday. Bets of flight? Engines already installed, static fire then fly! Woo Hoo!
Lots of heat shields on SN11, like on SN10. Notice the left flap has a small patch on the non-airflow side.
They have to figure out the header tank pressurization issue before they can fly. Apparently helium gets into the engine and this caused the low thrust on the last landing.
They will work you to death-but there, engineers are loved. That makes all the difference.
We are all impressed by the tests and progress SpaceX is making, but is anyone else impressed with the rate of the construction of these prototypes? In the beginning these prototypes appeared and were tested every six or so months, then a new one every month, and now two weeks later after SN10, they are static firing SN11.
Building all these prototypes will make construction of the production model a snap.
“Building all these prototypes will make construction of the production model a snap.”
Jay, you hit the nail on the head. I foresee the StarShip becoming componentized to the point where different thrust, tankage, and cargo / passenger sections can be assembled lego-like to build a range of models. The construction techniques being developed should also lead to a just-in-time spaceship capability. It is even possible that modularity will allow sections to be swappable, allowing users to configure and re-configure!) their own Starships from among an inventory of components! Pretty crazy I know but I think that’s where things could go!
Ps. I mean “pretty crazy” like rockets that land on their tails, like God and Robert Heinlein intended!
Elon stated in a presentation/interview early on that they weren’t building a rocket, they were building a factory that makes rockets. This has been an emphasis from the very beginning, and it’s heartening to see how far they’ve come.
Jeff Wright noted: “They will work you to death . . . ”
‘I know a guy, who knows a guy’ who works at SpaceX. He agrees. You work all the time, but you are also visibly, and rapidly, building a positive future. And you’re likely under 35, which helps.
Ray,
I never thought I would ever see J.I.T. construction and spaceship in the same sentence!