SpaceX Starship IFT3: Full Stack! Last Second Fixes! What happened?
This is it! Third orbital Starship stacked! What’s left before the launch? The construction of the second Starship tower continues! New segments are coming! Axiom-3 Crew returns! Polaris Dawn launch delayed! And Voyager 1 is showing signs of age. My name is Felix. Welcome to What About It!? Let’s dive right in! Starship Updates Less than three months! That’s how little time it took for SpaceX’s engineers to stack another Ship on top of a Booster after the second flight. The progress is, as always, incredible, yet there
is still a lot to do before another launch. When is IFT3 going to happen? What’s left to do? What’s the current estimate? Follow me to find out! Following its initial successful static fire of all 33 Raptor engines, Booster 10 made its way back to the Mega Bay in early January. Once it was positioned on one of the three newly constructed work stands, the team began the final touches to prepare the prototype for flight.
This process involved the removal of the hot staging ring to allow for adjustments to the forward dome, which houses the mechanisms for the four grid fins, among other things. These are essential for maneuvering in the denser layers of Earth’s atmosphere, allowing for a precise landing. That’s the theory, at least, as we’re yet to see a Booster survive beyond the boost back burn. A little over a month after its arrival at the Mega Bay, on February 8th, Booster 10 departed from the production site. We were all hoping that its journey would lead to the launch site rather than going again to the rocket garden, and indeed, our hopes were confirmed as it made its way directly to the launch pad. Thanks to Redline Helicopter Tours,
we were able to capture stunning aerial images of this Super Heavy as it arrived at Starbase. Cars and people for scale. The sight was nothing short of spectacular! Being in the fast lane, the Starbase team quickly proceeded to lift Booster 10 using Mechazilla into the Orbital Launch Mount later that night. We have a booster on the pad! Upon close inspection, a new change was observed at the bottom of the prototype's liquid oxygen tank. Can you spot it? Compared to earlier images, Booster 10 now features two distinct rows of welding marks. Given their location, the most logical explanation for these welding marks is the installation of anti-slosh baffles. Anti-what?
Anti-slosh baffles! You see, most rockets, despite their humongous size, derive the bulk of their mass not from the materials used for fuel tanks or the engines that power them but from their propellant. For example, the Super Heavy booster alone carries around 3,400 tons or 7,496,000 pounds of propellant. The prototype itself weighs just 200 tons or 441,000 pounds, which is less than six percent of the total mass when fueled. Okay, Felix, that’s impressive and all, but why does it matter? Excellent question! The presence of such quantities of liquid onboard significantly affects the rocket's stability. During deceleration or maneuvers such as the boost back burn, where the rocket flips, the propellant tends to resist this change in direction. It slams into the tank walls, creating a sloshing motion, which can be incredibly dangerous for the rocket.
As the liquid propellant moves, it shifts the rocket's center of mass, making it difficult to control as the engines have to counter the swing. Additionally, when tanks are not completely full, allowing the propellant to slosh freely can lead to scenarios where the engines momentarily lose access to liquid fuel or oxidizer, sucking in gas bubbles instead. In the best-case scenario, it will cause engine shutdown, but if you’re particularly unlucky, it may result in an imbalance in the fuel-to-oxidizer ratio, potentially leading to an engine explosion. Some speculate that this is precisely what forced Booster 7 to end its career prematurely... Its abrupt boost-back maneuver may have caused excessive fuel sloshing, depriving its engines of fuel and prompting an automatic shutdown. With the majority of engines offline, the Flight Termination System was activated, leading to the booster's destruction.
And yet, rockets around the world launch on a daily basis. So there is a way to solve the slosh problem, right? Yep! This is where anti-slosh baffles come into the picture! Installed within the tanks, these metal structures aim to mitigate the movement of propellant. Starships are already equipped with these baffles, as seen in some rare interior photos of the rocket.
However, it's possible that, following the second launch attempt, Starbase engineers concluded that the existing slosh baffles weren't enough, prompting the addition of more. While this is just a speculation, it's a theory worth considering. What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with this theory? Maybe you have a better explanation? Please let me know in the comments. OK, but that's merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of intriguing developments at Starbase. After all, we’re talking SpaceX here. Less than 24 hours after Booster 10 was placed on the launch mount, Ship 28 was moved from the Raptor installation stand to a transport stand. Then, in the early morning hours, the upper stage
for the next orbital Starship traveled down Highway 4 to the Launch Complex. Yes! Given that two out of six engines of Ship 28 were recently replaced, we expected a possible return to suborbital pad B to test the new Raptors. However, that’s not what happened. Instead, the prototype was positioned directly between the arms of the Mechazilla. After lots of work on the Ship Quick Disconnect
arm, Ship 28 was finally lifted and mated with Booster 10, completing the assembly of the third flight-worthy Starship! The sight of another full stack at Starbase is always a breathtaking one, but obviously SpaceX hasn't gone through all this effort just to take pretty pictures. New road closures have been announced, scheduling a primary test window for February 12th, with backup dates on the 13th and 14th. A WDR is the final step in pre-flight testing, essentially mirroring a launch without the actual ignition of the engines. During this test, the rocket is filled to the brim with propellant, and the countdown mimics the real deal up to the final moments. However, just seconds before what would be "liftoff!" in an actual launch, the process is halted, and the propellant is safely returned to the tank farm. What will happen after this test is shrouded in mystery… My prediction is that we'll likely see both the Ship and the Booster taken down from the launch tower to allow for additional work on Stage Zero. As you can see, there’s still a lot of scaffolding
at both the launch deck and the quick disconnect arm. All of it has to disappear before the liftoff. Additionally, looking at the previous test campaign, we may see multiple removals of the hot staging ring. It’s still a new technology for Starship, and it’s clear that engineers were dealing with some issues while it was installed atop Booster 7. Furthermore, there's a possibility that Ship
28 could still end up at Pad B for another six-engine static fire test. Conducting a Wet Dress Rehearsal will lower that chance significantly, but on the other hand, launching without testing feels like a potential failure point, which can be avoided. What are your thoughts? Do you believe that Ship 28 will undergo another static fire? Place your bets in the comments! Aside from getting the launch tower ready, there are many smaller tasks to be addressed at the launch site before another Starship can take to the skies. Currently, only one water tank and a single nitrogen tank have received reinforcements. It remains to be seen whether the rest of the original vertical tank farm will receive similar treatment or if SpaceX will just pray that they don’t get too damaged during the next liftoff. Another critical task slated for completion before the next Starship launch is the extension of the wall behind the newly constructed horizontal tank farm. On February 7th, our photographer,
John, and I witnessed the delivery of the ninth and final massive cryogenic vessel, which was promptly positioned on its pedestal. This marks the culmination of the primary construction phase for the new tank farm. Now, all that’s left is to connect them to the rest of the system, which is easier said than done. It likely
won’t be happening before the third launch. Another significant item on the pre-launch checklist involves finishing the building that might seem not that important, but is essential - the SpaceX reinforced bathroom. Yes, you heard that right. A bunker toilet. Some time back, we noticed that the initial construction phase of a concrete structure had to be restarted due to an issue with the original framework.
At that time, we speculated this might be a restroom for onsite workers, which has since been confirmed to us by several different sources. Currently, the construction team is rushing to complete the roof as quickly as possible. All these support structures have to be removed before the next Starship flight. Otherwise, they may take to the skies together with the rocket itself. It’s incredible how much you can discover just by looking at things from above! How about you go see all of this for yourself? Book your own ride at Starbase and see these things in person, or just enjoy one of the most incredible views in the world. Go to redlineheli.com/felix! You'll find
the link in the description as well! I promise you won’t ever forget this. Right now, it looks like a February launch is still in the cards, but time is running thin. We might be looking at March already. That’s still less than a month from now, though! Once the third Starship clears the tower, it will kick-start the groundwork for the second OLIT.
Before we continue with more SpaceX news, here’s a word about privacy. Is your personal data exposed online? Take control of your privacy with today’s sponsor, Incogni! Like many, I once surfed the web carefree, unaware of the data it gathered on me. While I'm more cautious now, the information remains accessible. Thankfully there’s Incogni, the sponsor of today’s video. Incogni erases my data history from data broker’s lists, meaning they cannot sell my personal information, guarding me from potential scams, invasion of privacy, and identity theft by using automation to cover all broker types, ensuring comprehensive protection. Here's how it works: Sign up, grant permission, and watch them effortlessly remove your information! Ease your mind and take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FELIX at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan! On we go with the news! Previously, we reported that four sections of the tower had been loaded onto a barge. I'm pleased to inform you that their voyage has begun, with the tugboat steering these segments towards the Port of Brownsville.
Their arrival is anticipated just over a week from now. Visible progress is also being made at the Sanchez site. Following the erection of the first column of the tower's eighth segment in early February, all four columns have now been positioned vertically. Workers have even begun installing the first horizontal beams. These not only reinforce the
structure but also serve as attachment points for the outer black shielding. Though, we’re yet to see a launch tower fully covered in those panels. Another vital part of the launch tower segments are these three rails, allowing the Mechazilla arms to go up and down.
I can’t wait to see these segments being stacked. Exciting times are coming! Shifting focus to Massey's, things here are developing at the speed of light. The most notable change has occurred at the front of the nitrogen tank farm.
This area previously seen being excavated is now filled with rebar and metal embeds, arranged in a circle approximately nine meters or 29.5 feet in diameter - clearly a structure that has something to do with Starship prototypes. Yet, the presence of four large embeds outside this circle adds an element of mystery, as we haven’t seen such a configuration before. What is this? Did you know that one hint as to what could be going on here is the removal of pipelines leading to the can crusher test stand? Perhaps SpaceX wants to relocate the crusher to this area, potentially to free up space for additional cryogenic tanks. Alternatively, the construction might
have something to do with the mysterious metal structures currently being pieced together inside this white tent, which appeared out of nowhere. SpaceX might be making a stand designed to hold prototypes in queue while other Ships and Boosters undergo testing. However, we’ll have to wait for more data to confirm or disprove these theories. Moving to the flame trench area, the majority of the slurry plant has now been dismantled, signaling the completion of the ground reinforcement phase.
Now, the focus has shifted to installing rebar cages around the perimeter of the trench, as can be seen in footage captured by John. We’re also seeing concrete being poured into the diaphragm wall, meaning that another phase, the dirt removal, might be around the corner. It’s crazy to think that in such a short time, a simple shooting range was converted into one of the most important places at Starbase. When do you anticipate the first static fire test will occur at Massey's? Could we see it in the first half of 2024 or perhaps as soon as the first quarter of this year? Share your thoughts in the comments. I always enjoy reading them! Now, you’ve watched more than half the video, and you’re still watching! Thank you! This means you like it! We’ve looked into our channel metrics, and there are over 2 million returning monthly viewers who have not subscribed yet. Help us improve the channel even further by
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is in the description! Thanks to all the supporters who help fulfill dreams for our team! We can’t thank you enough! You rock! On we go with some very brave people! After a three-week journey in space, the Axiom 3 crew made their return to Earth! Launched on January 18th, AX-3 was a mission of many firsts! It was the first Dragon launch to host an entirely European crew, including the first Turkish astronaut - Alper Gezeravci This mission also represented the European Space Agency's first use of commercial services to send an astronaut to the International Space Station. Adding to the list of firsts, Michael Lopez-Alegria became the first astronaut to travel aboard SpaceX’s Dragon for a second time. Initially slated for a two-week duration, the capsule was scheduled for a February 3rd splashdown.
However, when returning from space, safety is the number one priority. Did you know that once the capsule lands in the ocean, it has to be swiftly recovered, meaning that the splashdown date and area are highly dependent on weather conditions? This is precisely why the return of the Axiom-3 crew was postponed until February 9th, effectively extending their mission's length by 50% I wouldn’t complain too much if I had to stay another week on the ISS… The question is whether the hefty 55 million dollar per seat ticket accounts for such delays. Getting a 27 million dollar invoice right after splashdown probably wouldn't make for a happy customer! The landing itself unfolded as smoothly as expected, allowing the crew to reunite with their loved ones shortly after. Looking ahead, Axiom's next private mission to the ISS is scheduled for the latter half of 2024, promising more milestones in commercial spaceflight. Yet, the Dragon mission that will end up on
a list of the most important launches of 2024 will definitely be the launch of Polaris Dawn. The first in a trio of Polaris missions aimed at expanding the horizon of private space endeavors. Polaris Dawn is not just another space tourist mission. It's a bold step further into commercial space exploration, seeking to surpass the Inspiration4 altitude of 585 kilometers or 364 miles by reaching an apogee of 1400 kilometers or 869 miles. Moreover, Polaris Dawn will be the first mission to test out direct communication between the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink constellation. Yet, the highlight of this mission that has everyone buzzing is the first commercial spacewalk. Equipped with specialized pressure suits,
the astronauts aboard Dragon will depressurize the capsule, allowing at least one crew member to venture outside. This will be an ambitious and dangerous mission, but that’s what space exploration is about. Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible! Initially slated for 2023, the launch of Polaris Dawn was later postponed to early 2024. Now, the official Not Earlier Than date was set to summer 2024, to give the crews more time to make sure that the mission is as safe as possible. No one likes to see delays, but it’s always better to wait a few months than to sacrifice the crew’s safety just to meet the deadlines.
Turning our gaze to deep space, we find Voyager 1, humanity's most distant probe, nearly 163 astronomical units away from the Sun. That’s 163 times the distance from our Sun to where you are right now. And 46 years after its launch, Voyager 1 is showing signs of age. Although it had continued to send
scientific data back well into 2023, something went terribly wrong back in December. Did you know that Voyager relies on three onboard computers known as the Flight Data System, or FDS for short? This system was designed to gather scientific and spacecraft health data and then combine it into a single information package. All this is then sent to Earth via a Telemetry Modulation Unit, allowing us to receive that data. Recently, however, the FDS has encountered an issue. The data stream received by mission engineers has turned into a repetitive sequence of ones and zeros, meaning that Voyager 1 stopped providing scientific data.
In an attempt to rectify the issue, the team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory resorted to the age-old troubleshooting tactic of rebooting the system. Unfortunately, this time, it didn’t work… Luckily, Voyager 1 remains responsive to commands sent from Earth, so there may still be a workaround that would remotely fix the onboard computer. Remember that people at JPL are known for solving problems even when the situation appears hopeless. On the other hand, complicating matters is the
fact that the Voyager probes - developed in the early 1970s - were not designed with emergency plans stretching so far into the future. Obviously… The mission's unprecedented duration - now the longest in human history - is way beyond the original expectations of its creators. Another hurdle is the insane distance Voyager 1 has traveled from Earth. Commands take over 22.5 hours at light speed to reach the spacecraft, meaning that sending a simple "Hello" message and getting a response takes 45 hours. Consequently, each attempt at troubleshooting involves nearly two days of waiting to see if the command resulted in any change. As we await the outcome of JPL's efforts to revive Voyager 1, it's worth appreciating the insane engineering of this mission. Even if this turns out to be the end of
Voyager, it still lasted over 46 years in space. Let that sink in! That’s it for today! Remember to smash that like button. Subscribe for more awesome content! This is what fuels the Algorithm and helps us immensely! Check out our epic shirts in your favorite space nerd store! Link is in the description. And if you want to train your space IQ even further, watch this video next to continue your journey! Thank you very much for watching, and we’ll see you again in the next episode!
2024-02-15 22:26
