Hello, we are TheSpaceXFans and welcome to TheSpaceXShow, the place where you can stay
up to date with everything SpaceX.
For the standard SpaceX updates today, we have some upcoming launches and new launch
contract information.
Then, over to Boca Chica to see the usual infrastructure updates, as well as more delays
to SN6, plus future Starships.
So let’s head straight in and get up to date…
Starting off, we have a tweet from space reporter Michael Sheetz.
He tweeted “Masten Space Systems signed a contract with SpaceX to launch the Masten
Mission One (MM1) to the Moon in 2022, with the XL-1 lander set to deliver 9 payloads
to the lunar south pole under NASA's CLPS program.”
In the last video, we had an interesting launch schedule for SpaceX with 2 Falcon 9’s and
a Starship expected to liftoff within a few days of each other.
SpaceX then had to delay and started targeting today for back to back Falcon 9 launches.
In response to that tweet, they mentioned that the weather was quite unfavourable with
50% for Starlink and 40% for SAOCOM-1B.
As you can see on TheSpaceXFans website, these 2 launches appear to still be on the table
for today.
So about when the time this video is uploaded and later in the evening there could be 2
separate Falcon 9’s launching out of Florida.
So, with all those standard SpaceX updates covered, let’s head to Boca Chica and check
out some infrastructure changes.
First of all, you will likely know that the company has recently been erecting a wall
outside the test area.
They’re continuing to progress with this with the addition of more shipping containers
and more metal panels.
Just behind the wall and behind the launch mount is the newest mount down at Pad B. Many
people pointed out my mistake in the last video, but you can see here that the thrust
simulators have been installed.
Engineers are progressing with the mount still as they work to prepare it for the Starship
tank that will be tested.
I believe what they will want to test on here is probably going to be SN7.1.
Over by the Super Heavy launch mount which Musk confirmed as being a mount and not a
water tower, work is progressing.
You can see that they have added more rebar for the support of the launch mount.
To add to this, another one of the tubes has been sleeved, shall we say, with some of the
rebar.
I can’t wait until we get to see how this structure will actually look once complete,
hopefully in a couple of months or so.
Nearer to the production area of the facility, we have some work going on with the ground.
Looks like the work they’re doing here is by the old gas well lot that we’ve seen
here and there recently.
Also, actually inside the construction yard, the 81 metre tall high bay for Super Heavy
has been under construction.
With work on the final half level already underway and almost complete, we’re getting
very close to the high bay being done.
I’m sure within the next couple of weeks to a month and the whole structure will probably
be complete and ready for action.
Now that the infrastructure updates have been covered, let’s take a look at a few tweets,
as well as some bits of Starships spotted.
To begin with, Musk was asked by somebody whether or not we can still expect the Starship
presentation in September.
Musk responded to say “Neuralink this month & Tesla next month, SpaceX probably October.
We will have made a lot of progress by then.
Might have a prototype booster hop done by then.”
Then, Everyday Astronaut, who always asks the best questions asked about Super Heavy
and Raptor engines.
He said they could probably get away with 3 or 6 engines for hopping the booster.
Musk responded to say that only 2 Raptor engines would be needed to get a Super Heavy off the
ground.
In response to his own reply, Musk tweeted some more information about Raptor.
What he said was “Raptor reached over half a million pounds of thrust at peak pressure
with some damage, so this version of the engine can probably sustain ~210 tons.
Should have a 250+ ton engine in about 6 to 9 months.
Target for booster is 7500 tons (16.5 million pounds) of thrust.”
There was one other tweet from Elon Musk in response to somebody tweeting a render of
Super Heavy and Starship.
Musk said “Booster design has shifted to four legs with a wider stance (to avoid engine
plume impingement in vacuum), rather than six”.
Just before we look at Starship serial numbers, we have a couple of odd pieces of Starships
in the works.
Firstly, these new tapered nosecone pieces have been spotted outside behind the fabrication
tents.
Also moved outside was this new nosecone tip which already has a header tank as you can
see it slightly popping out.
There’s also an interesting box on the side which I don’t remember seeing on a nosecone
before.
Another Starship section which is a ring stack was also spotted behind the tents attached
to a crane.
Whilst I could be wrong I believe this piece is for the SN7.1 test tank which I will show
you in just a bit.
Before that though, I wanted to just show this shot of SN5 which was recently moved
outside the mid bay.
It’s still hanging out in the construction yard just outside the mid bay with SN8 still
sitting inside waiting for stacking.
Last episode, we saw the arrival of a new mass simulator for the SN6 prototype.
Over the last few days, it was hooked up to a crane in order to be lifted and connected
with SN6.
Whilst engineers were working atop the vehicle in order to prepare for connecting this mass
simulator, it was also lifted and placed onto the upper bulkhead for welding.
So, with SN6 having now completed its static fire with Raptor SN29 and now obtained a hat,
it’s near enough ready for the 150 metre hop.
Engineers are now working on performing the final checks and doing the final preparations
before the flight.
Last episode, I mentioned that we could expect a hop to happen on Friday which clearly didn’t
happen.
Delays are inevitable and much better to delay than have a rocket go boom.
So, here are the latest road and beach closures with a primary closure date of today.
SpaceX could be testing the prototype as I’m finalising and uploading this video.
With SN6 information out of the way, let’s look at SN7.1 and SN8, starting with SN7.1
which has recently been progressing.
Here you can see that engineers were getting everything ready to stack two parts of this
test tank.
Whilst there is no footage of the stacking process, you can see that the leg skirt was
welded to another ring stack to form the aft section of the tank.
Moving onto SN8 though, last episode we saw a whole load of preparations happening with
sections to get ready for stacking.
So, the thrust section which we saw stacked was hooked up to a crane.
Then, even though there is no footage to show of the process once again, you can see SN8
has been stacked.
Sitting just behind SN5, we now have a fully stacked tank section for SN8, but unlike with
other tanks, this isn’t where it stops I hope.
We could expect to see SN8 also get fins and a nosecone and be the first full size Starship
since Mk1, incredibly exciting times.
So, just before we finish up the episode I need to make you all aware of something which
I did post as a community post yesterday.
Essentially I’m a full time web developer and due the current unfortunate situation
in the world, I’ve been on furlough by the company I work for for the last 5 to 6 months.
However, on Tuesday I will be resuming my full time job.
This should not affect upload days, which for those who don’t know is Wednesday and
Sunday, but will probably affect the upload time on Wednesday.
I will probably only be able to upload Wednesday videos later in the evening, around 11pm or
midnight here in the UK.
I just want to make it abundantly clear, my videos will remain unchanged, it’s just
to do with the time in which they’re uploaded.
As is always the case, these detailed and timely updates would not be possible without
Mary, otherwise known as BocaChicaGal going out there and filming, so massive thanks to
her.
Also, the whole NASASpaceflight team does an incredible job behind the scenes, so a
massive thanks to them as well.
Remember that if SpaceX are testing SN6 today, NSF will definitely be streaming so make sure
to check after this video.
That’s it for this episode of TheSpaceXShow, I hope you enjoyed the video, if you did,
make sure to hit the like button and leave a comment down below.
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Thanks for watching and have a great day!