Space and Science BS Thread

https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1724821868471808301?t=Lh1tOjCpwA3ZTnQUD0hEIw&s=19

 

500 second test of the latest version RS-25 to be used in later Artemis missions. You’ll need to FF past ~2/3. Max thrust 113%.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic_Y2PsrIx8

 

You are receiving this email to inform you about an update to the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program.



SpaceX applied to modify its existing vehicle operator license for the Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle from its Cameron County, TX site. After completing an evaluation of all applicable Vehicle Operator License requirements, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a modification to the Vehicle Operator License for SpaceX launches of the Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program in Cameron County, TX on November 15th, 2023. The modification authorizes the second flight of Starship/Super Heavy.



The affected environment and environmental impacts of Starship/Super Heavy operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site were analyzed in the 2022 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas (PEA). SpaceX recently provided the FAA with additional information regarding operation of a deluge system, addition of a forward heat shield interstage to the vehicle, and expansion of the Area of Potential Effects for cultural resources. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies andProcedures,the FAA prepared the Written Re-evaluation of the 2022 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas to describe and evaluate this additional information.



Based on the Written Re-Evaluation, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a modification to the existing vehicle operator license for Starship/Super Heavy operations conforms to the prior environmental documentation, the data contained in the 2022 PEA remains substantially valid, there are no significant environmental changes, and all pertinent conditions and requirements of the prior approval have been met or will be met in the current licensing action. Therefore, preparation of a supplemental or new environmental document is not necessary to support the Proposed Action.



An electronic version of the Vehicle Operator License is available here: https://www.faa.gov/media/69476



An electronic version of the Written Re-evaluation is available here: https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship



For any media inquiries, please contact the FAA press office at pressoffice@faa.gov


Thank you,

The FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project Team

 

https://x.com/spacepadreisle/status/1724839070398890401?s=46
https://x.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1724949258682634571?s=46

 

The views are pretty cool from places people don’t often go.

 

Update on the Sierra Space Life Habitat testing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uhe0DFxfbps

The good news is that they’ve apparently sorted out their issues with BO and are moving ahead with the partnership. But in the event that still falls through(BO needs to come up with more than just some windows though they are a critical structural component) I wonder if a partnership with Vast could improve the outlook for both companies. SS seems to embody the steady approach you want to see from companies developing new hardware. It would be a shame to see them die on the vine or held up because a partner didn’t come through.

 

I curate my posts to provide high quality, unique content not available elsewhere

 

Anyone read the license?

Liabilty insurance limit adds to $548,000,000 for pre and flight activities. Wonder what the premium is?
@cromag27 ?

 

“SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says the second Starship launch is postponed to no earlier than Saturday, Nov. 18 to replace a grid fin actuator on the launch stack, according to an update Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter.”

https://www.space.com/spacex-second-starship-launch-explainer

 

Sorry folks, fingers crossed for a push to the right one or two (my days off) so I don't even have to pretend to be working!

 

Saturday launch window is only 20 minutes and if they miss that weather might shut it down early in the week. They can’t launch Thursday through Sunday at all so we might be waiting awhile.

 

Woah. What produced such a narrow window Saturday?

 

almost as much as for a kia or hyundai right now.

 

Thanks! Seems like a bargain

 

https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1725300831405130167?s=46

 

https://x.com/adamcuker/status/1725386423723864496?s=46
https://x.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1725281546779709516?s=46
https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1725516506044223911?s=46
https://x.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1725527559767802021?s=46

 

Looks norminal to me:
https://x.com/alexsvanart/status/1725550279871942852?s=46

 

Even showed the booster with 2 engines out.

 

In case you had plans:
https://x.com/davidjdphotos/status/1725562785902305523?s=46