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SpaceX Starship - IFT-4 - Starbase TX - Pre-Launch Preparations Thread
- Thread starter JB47394
- Start date
Static fire sequence started at 4:30 PM CDT on the dot. The FireX system ran for a bit, then the deluge system came up to full flow, then the engines were fired.
"NSF understands that the fourth Starship Flight Test remains on track for the first two weeks of May, with regulatory and technical readiness nearing completion. On the regulatory side, a SpaceX-led mishap investigation into the problems during Flight 3 needs to be concluded before SpaceX can apply for a modification to the launch license needed for Flight 4."
All quiet in this topic. With the launch imminent (within the month) this topic should be buzzing..
DanCar
Active Member
Maybe Elon and SpaceX don't want to tweet too much in order to not give too much info to the competition.
Sadly, the launch isn't imminent. The booster and ship have been sitting in the bays, and the only activity I've heard about is that the hot staging ring has been installed on the booster. We haven't heard about the IFT-3 mishap investigation, and certainly there are no air and sea notifications related to the launch. Something seems to be hanging up preparations for IFT-4, so they're continuing on with everything else, including lots of ground work as well as IFT-5 preparations. Let's just hope that IFT-4 goes off smoothly, allowing IFT-5 to take place shortly afterwards.
This is the launch thread. There is a thread for all the work being done to get the rocket ready to launch: the preparation thread.
SpaceX Starship - IFT-4 - Starbase TX - Pre-Launch Preparations Thread
Ship 29 is preparing for a spin prime at the suborbital pad. Road closed. Launch area cleared. No overpressure notice.
teslamotorsclub.com
Its not like that thread is buzzing with activity either !!This is the launch thread. There is a thread for all the work being done to get the rocket ready to launch: the preparation thread.
SpaceX Starship - IFT-4 - Starbase TX - Pre-Launch Preparations Thread
Ship 29 is preparing for a spin prime at the suborbital pad. Road closed. Launch area cleared. No overpressure notice.
This Scientia Plus video suggests that the B11/S29 WDR may occur on May 16 based on this document. It is speculation, not fact.
It's a good match for the information. A 12 hour window is standard when they fire up the tank farm for any testing, and booster 11 has its hot staging ring.
The road and beach closure schedule is a bit off, though. They list the primary closure date as the 14th, with the 15th and 16th as backups. Perhaps SpaceX has decided on the 16th after all, and just haven't updated the closure information.
There are also a road delay notices for every day until the 17th.
I'll offer a reminder that IFT-3 did not complete its wet dress rehearsal until the third attempt.
B11 is on the move to the launch site, presumably for a static fire test.
Buckminster
Well-Known Member
DanCar
Active Member
Something that hasn't been mentioned is that Ship 29 was moved away from the launch tower after Ship 31 had its electrical problem. There was some work done at the bottom of the ship - it was either very bright work lights and/or welding - and then it was moved back to the launch site. As I write this, it's sitting between the chopsticks, waiting to be stacked on the booster.
You can post a link to a tweet in the forums. That little icon in the bottom right of a tweet will give you a link. Sometimes it takes a little bit before the forums will show the entire tweet as you see it on X.
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