Starhopper

Oldfart1939 · 2019-08-26 21:47:03

Has anyone else been watching the live coverage of the final flight of the SpaceX "Starhopper?" This is very exciting, as both Cloudliker and Everyday Astronaut YouTube channels are having live coverage from Boca Chica, Texas. Today's attempt at flight was scrubbed by a mishap of system dumping starter/ingniter chemicals prematurely. This required an off-loading of propellants, and postponement of flight until tomorrow, 08/27 with coverage starting at 14:30 central time for Everyday Astronaut, and an hour later for Cloudlicker channel. This is an exciting time, as it should culminate in advancement to the 3 Raptor engined Starship prototypes sometime in September.

Oldfart1939 · 2019-08-27 15:43:53

Update on Starhopper; sitting on pad at this time, and venting from LOX tanks. Launch could be very soon!

Oldfart1939 · 2019-08-27 16:39:31

Launch AND landing successful! X marks the spot where landing took place!

louis · 2019-08-27 17:59:17

I've been in and out of the live coverage as there are so many cancellations! But I feel I have got to know the Boca Chica site. I do sometimes wonder if Space X have done their hurricane risk analysis... thinking a direct hit would just take out everything...but what do I know? lol

I feel sorry for the Boca Chica residents. The sooner Space X just buy them out the better!

Oldfart1939 wrote:

Has anyone else been watching the live coverage of the final flight of the SpaceX "Starhopper?" This is very exciting, as both Cloudliker and Everyday Astronaut YouTube channels are having live coverage from Boca Chica, Texas. Today's attempt at flight was scrubbed by a mishap of system dumping starter/ingniter chemicals prematurely. This required an off-loading of propellants, and postponement of flight until tomorrow, 08/27 with coverage starting at 14:30 central time for Everyday Astronaut, and an hour later for Cloudlicker channel. This is an exciting time, as it should culminate in advancement to the 3 Raptor engined Starship prototypes sometime in September.

tahanson43206 · 2019-08-27 18:06:14

Today's test flight certainly lived up to my expectations (and hopes)! The video from above (? a drone) was remarkably steady. The rapid adjustments of the rocket gimbals were easy to see, and so were the occasional cold gas thrust events from the top of the vehicle.

(th)

louis · 2019-08-27 18:08:09

Just watched it on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAKiZNZIe9M

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Oldfart1939 wrote:

Launch AND landing successful! X marks the spot where landing took place!

SpaceNut · 2019-08-27 18:59:22

According to link it achieved a 150 m before landing once more.

These tests are what would be done on the test stand for parametric value determination of engine to fuel efficiency values. These tests are also a live testing of cycling of tanks rather than test stand, checking of value performance to fuel and pumps and or pressurization systems. It also is a good check of the performing software that controls it all.

louis · 2019-08-27 19:03:29

A summing-up video from Cloudlicker re Starhopper's 150 metre hop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkwgGDRUtqc

First sub-orbital flight by October this year?

I agree with Cloudlicker that it's an inspirational video. This will deffo excite interest.

And another view:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne8yd8uP-jE

Last edited by louis (2019-08-27 19:58:16)

SpaceNut · 2019-08-27 19:40:30

If this holds true to the falcon 9 design we need 3/4 of the fuel to get to that point with the remaining to be used for the landing on the target which could be its launch site but perhaps they may opt for a water barge landing in th gulf..who knows. It all depends on the launch profile to final altitude that they should choose to fly to.

Oldfart1939 · 2019-08-29 23:10:21

Just saw a post on Reddit about an Elon tweet: Starship launch in September to 20,000 feet; orbital in October. Yeah, yeah, I know; Elon time. Probably 20,000 feet in October and Orbital by November. (Said with tongue firmly in cheek).

louis · 2019-08-30 05:40:28

This is a very exciting time.

Here's Elon's Tweet in full:

"Aiming for 20km flight in Oct & orbit attempt shortly thereafter. Starship update will be on Sept 28th, anniversary of SpaceX reaching orbit. Starship Mk 1 will be fully assembled by that time."

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/116 … ive%3Dtrue

The Starship development programme seems is being implemented at a very rapid pace. Maybe my pessimism about meeting the deadline for the 2024 cargo Starship launches was misplaced.

Orbital before the end of the year? That would be remarkable. Would they be able to bring it back to Earth?

Does anyone know where they are with Super-Heavy development? What are the special challenges of developing that First Stage rocket?

This is an interesting post over on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comment … sa_spacex/

Seems like NASA want to bring Space X on board...Again, that could really accelerate the Mars Mission if Space X had full access to NASA's expertise re Rovers, life support, space coms, and space medicine.

Last edited by louis (2019-08-30 05:41:20)

Oldfart1939 · 2019-08-30 11:12:13

Louis-There have been numerous YouTube reports on sightings of circular first stage segments accumulating on the ground at the Florida site. The major factor is availability of sufficient Raptor engines having passed tests at McGregor, TX test facility. This is indeed, and exciting time to be an observer of spaceflight activities.

louis · 2019-08-30 13:16:56

Yes I've seen circular ring segments...didn't know which stage they were for...also bulkheads.

Oldfart1939 wrote:

Louis-There have been numerous YouTube reports on sightings of circular first stage segments accumulating on the ground at the Florida site. The major factor is availability of sufficient Raptor engines having passed tests at McGregor, TX test facility. This is indeed, and exciting time to be an observer of spaceflight activities.

SpaceNut · 2019-09-07 07:41:20

The next flight is to be to a greater altitude which means more fuel and greater chance to have something go wrong as its not new hardware but slightly used.

Oldfart1939 · 2019-09-07 09:35:43

There will be no more flights of "Starhopper," as it's being converted to a static firing test stand tethered to ground. The safest way to fly anything is when it never actually flies!

SpaceNut · 2019-09-07 10:52:59

Already?

SpaceX launches Starship “hopper” on dramatic test flight

The spacecraft, shaped a bit like R2-D2 from the “Star Wars” movies, appeared to reach its FAA-approved 492-foot (150 meter) altitude limit, moved sideways and slowly descended to touchdown on a nearby landing pad. The approximately one-minute flight was the rocket’s second “untethered” test following a July jump to an altitude of about 65 feet.

https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/24/space … fly-flare/

strahopper-untether-abort.gif?w=717

Thought that there was going to be a flight to an altitude of 20k

louis · 2019-09-07 11:10:18

My understanding is that that will be the prototype Starship doing the sub-orbital. I think it won't have the full number of raptor engines if I remember correctly.

SpaceNut wrote:

Already?
SpaceX launches Starship “hopper” on dramatic test flight
The spacecraft, shaped a bit like R2-D2 from the “Star Wars” movies, appeared to reach its FAA-approved 492-foot (150 meter) altitude limit, moved sideways and slowly descended to touchdown on a nearby landing pad. The approximately one-minute flight was the rocket’s second “untethered” test following a July jump to an altitude of about 65 feet.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/24/space … fly-flare/
https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploa … .gif?w=717
Thought that there was going to be a flight to an altitude of 20k

GW Johnson · 2019-09-07 11:18:29

The video 2 posts above is of the aborted first attempt, not the actually-successful flight.

GW

Oldfart1939 · 2019-09-07 16:33:34

The prototype Starship, scheduled for the 20 km altitude, is equipped with 3 Raptor engines. Since there will be little/no payload, using the first stage booster should be capable of an orbital insertion, as well. Musk stated that the Starship prototype, or Starship 1.0, will be completed by his talk in late September. In roughly 2 weeks! They aren't playing contractor games here as do LockMart and Boeing, as it's Elon's $$$ being spent here. There are reportedly 3 shifts working round the clock at both Boca Chica and in Florida.

louis · 2019-09-07 16:59:22

Here's the ring-stacking video from a couple of days ago...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwSb8BV-jXQ

Looks well advanced.

Mars_B4_Moon · 2024-03-23 14:11:19

maybe they could dust off an older Starhopper design and modify it for Mars

Can SpaceX's Starship save Mars Sample Return?
https://www.planetary.org/articles/can- … ple-return

To Mars and Back: Will NASA’s Ambitious Endeavor Be Worth It?
https://undark.org/2024/03/20/nasa-mars-sample-return/
A mission to retrieve samples from the red planet is in the works. Some scientists wonder if it’s a wise investment.

Final NASA 2024 spending bill defers decision on MSR funding
https://spacenews.com/final-nasa-2024-s … r-funding/
On MSR, where the House and Senate offered vastly different figures, the final bill instead gives NASA flexibility.

there now is another reason not to end NASA's MSR is politics, Tianwen-3 a Chinese planned Mars sample-return mission which could see by NASA beat by China

Last edited by Mars_B4_Moon (2024-03-23 14:16:24)

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#1 2019-08-26 21:47:03

Starhopper

#2 2019-08-27 15:43:53

Re: Starhopper

#3 2019-08-27 16:39:31

Re: Starhopper

#4 2019-08-27 17:59:17

Re: Starhopper

#5 2019-08-27 18:06:14

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#6 2019-08-27 18:08:09

Re: Starhopper

#7 2019-08-27 18:59:22

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#8 2019-08-27 19:03:29

Re: Starhopper

#9 2019-08-27 19:40:30

Re: Starhopper

#10 2019-08-29 23:10:21

Re: Starhopper

#11 2019-08-30 05:40:28

Re: Starhopper

#12 2019-08-30 11:12:13

Re: Starhopper

#13 2019-08-30 13:16:56

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#14 2019-09-07 07:41:20

Re: Starhopper

#15 2019-09-07 09:35:43

Re: Starhopper

#16 2019-09-07 10:52:59

Re: Starhopper

#17 2019-09-07 11:10:18

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#18 2019-09-07 11:18:29

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#19 2019-09-07 16:33:34

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#20 2019-09-07 16:59:22

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#21 2024-03-23 14:11:19

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