SpaceX Starship - IFT-3 - Starbase TX - Pre-Launch Preparations Thread

[JB47394]

Edit: Is this the first use of the two point lifting jig at the launch site?

It was. Here's a link to video showing one of the pins being inserted. It's not as simple as it might seem.

Oh, and explosives have been delivered to the.. explosives building. Which is just a fancy shipping container. Presumably FTS charges.

 

[JB47394]

So all NASA wants to see is some LOX being moved between tanks. I'm assuming that SpaceX will pressurize the header tanks, perform the deorbit burn and, while the header tanks are still pressurized, crack a valve to let the pressure push the propellant from the downcomer into the main tank. I'm not sure why NASA would award money for that given that they're after the transfer of propellant between vehicles. All they seem to be getting is someone blowing down a straw with soda in it.

In a speech Elon recently gave, he mentioned that they were indeed going to transfer from a header tank to a main tank. I hope some knowledge is gained by doing this.

 

[ecarfan]

Both tanks farms appear to be active, there is a partial LOX load on S28, road is closed but no overpressure notice has been issued according to NSF.

 

[ecarfan]

 

[ecarfan]

There was what looked like a spin prime test of probably 3 engines, and NSF thinks they could be the same 3 engines that were replaced not long ago. Now S28 appears to be detanking.

As for the OLM tank farm activity, my guess is they used the road closure for two purposes at the same time; OLM GSE testing and S28 testing.

 

[ecarfan]

B10 is back on the OLM and S28 has just been lifted off the suborbital pad and will be headed over to Stage Zero to be re-stacked. It’s kind of crazy how they place the ship on the transporter exactly using guys pulling on ropes.

 

[mongo]

B10 is back on the OLM and S28 has just been lifted off the suborbital pad and will be headed over to Stage Zero to be re-stacked. It’s kind of crazy how they place the ship on the transporter exactly using guys pulling on ropes.

View attachment 1022919

The transporter and other mounts have alignment cylinders that do the final placement once the crew get it close.

 

[ecarfan]

The transporter and other mounts have alignment cylinders that do the final placement once the crew get it close.

Thanks. Apparently the crane with lifting jig lacks sufficient precision.

 

[mongo]

Thanks. Apparently the crane with lifting jig lacks sufficient precision.

Yeah, it's swinging in the breeze like a trapeze.
Chopsticks have the extra arms that interface diwn low to get it mated.

 

[ecarfan]

S28 is still on its transport stand but has not moved from its position next to the suborbital pad. Currently there are guys on lifts doing something with each lifting rig attachment point. It appears one of the points has been disconnected so maybe the ship is about to be moved over to near the OLM for stacking.

 

[ecarfan]

Yes, the ship has been disconnected from the lifting rig.

 

[scaesare]

B10 is back on the OLM and S28 has just been lifted off the suborbital pad and will be headed over to Stage Zero to be re-stacked. It’s kind of crazy how they place the ship on the transporter exactly using guys pulling on ropes.

View attachment 1022919

Kind of like the guys who do crane rigging... looks impressive when you see two guys with ropes tugging on a 25-ton concrete panel to set it in place, but with the weight suspended like that even moderate tugs laterally for positioning can get the few inches you need for alignment... in many cases it's slight rotation which really isn't shifting any weight...

(bonus points for that NSF pic caption, lol)

 

[ecarfan]

Ship is now next to the OLM and the chopsticks are partially closed around it. Looking forward to seeing the full stack again!

 

[JB47394]

I'm amazed at their confidence over not bothering with a static fire on the Starship. That's a really good sign.

 

[ecarfan]

S28 is just about restacked, final positioning right now.

 

[ecarfan]

S28 restacking appears to be complete. The final half meter went very slowly.

 

[JB47394]

Jump to wall time 12:45:09 on the video and you'll hear a clunk and see separate movement of booster and ship. I guess they're still working on mating the two vehicles cleanly.

 

[JB47394]

Here's Marcus House's weekly summary, and it's a good one, with half being devoted to Starship. One little tidbit is that they've added static dischargers on the trailing edge of all four flaps. He also clarifies something I was confused about, which is that S28 is the first Starship to have electrically-gimballed engines. The last flight used them only on the booster.

Edit: I wonder if hydraulic fluid was part of the leak that led to the fire - just like the booster problems on the first flight.

 

[ecarfan]

Road closure scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, from 5PM to 3AM. WDR?

 

[Electroman]

Road closure scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, from 5PM to 3AM. WDR?

I am always worried that in a WDR.. the computer goes rogue, and keeps going and the thing launches..