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Here you can find the latest pictures, videos, special projects about SpaceX, the space industry, and anything else that does not fit the main channel!
This video was released on 6/29/24 and work on the base of Tower Two was still being completed. Today is 8/15/24 and the seventh segment has already been stacked. The pace of work at SpaceX is fascinating.
The height of the taller part of the new office building matches the height of the taller part of Star Factory, which suggests they will be connected in some way. The height of the lower part of the office building also matches the height of the lowest height of the star factory. Seems like the buildings will be connected with perhaps a courtyard in the middle surrounded by those buildings.
One of the interesting things about these rocket engines is that they are built to withstand multiple launch 1+G backflips and relight. With the reduced mounting surface from raptor 1 to raptor 3 this really is getting quite insane. I would be interested to know how they will scale this design for future rockets.
Block II has the lifting points in the very tip of the nosecone, but it is only used until the first section of the payload section gets attached. After that the 4 point lifter can be used
I got a good natured chuckle from the pronunciation "hostaging" ring. In a sense it **is** holding the booster hostage: "One false move and I'll let the Raptors burn you..."
Hi, I want to make a comment about which engines, the sea level engines ignite last when they have a separation with the booster.. If they use the sea level engines first they will destroy the top dome on the booster, by the way does anyone know if SpaceX has bought the land in Mexico where the exhaust is going when doing a static fire on the new test stand.?
I could see where 3x stadium sized tents made with ballistic fabric would be constructed as dust storm shelters to allow construction of dust mitigated landing surfaces that are free of FOD as well. It is much easier to control dust if you can keep it out to begin with. The problem hard to tackle is the stiction prone particles (due to small size) that works its way into all types of joints. And, that problem is likely going to require costly solutions at the beginning while new solutions can incrementally reduce the cost of managing dust.
The question now is how will the crane assembly be safely lowered to the martian surface, assembled, and mounted upright? Would the parts be parachuted in bouncing balls and rovered together? Or maybe the first human landing involves an assembly project and tent cities till more permnent infrastructure is constructed.
John, I love your perspective of StarBase! The close ups of the GSE frosted was a great touch! Keep the Timelapse of Tower B coming! Quoting Felix “You Rock”!
I worked on Delta IV Heavy launch complex in 2000, specifically the cryogenic propellant piping as a union pipefitter/welder, the propellant piping being liquid oxygen and hydrogen,was insulated by hermetically sealed jackets (a pipe within a pipe) with a vacuum drawn in the jacket to ensure proper flow of the propellant,even around the flanges and valves,was this overkill? I see exposed piping super cold..
Vacuum insulated pipes have been spotted at the ground fabrication facilities for the new tower, so they definitely seem to have concluded that they are the best choice of propellant piping.
