Space Travel & Exploration

[Pann]

Space X are hoping the next Starship test flight will take place on Monday 18th Nov. - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1854230607603360190

[bledgor]

Space X are hoping the next Starship test flight will take place on Monday 18th Nov. - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1854230607603360190

We heard anything about the flight plans/mission of this test?

[Pann]

We heard anything about the flight plans/mission of this test?

"The next Starship flight test aims to expand the envelope on ship and booster capabilities and get closer to bringing reuse of the entire system online. Objectives include the booster once again returning to the launch site for catch, reigniting a ship Raptor engine while in space, and testing a suite of heatshield experiments and maneuvering changes for ship reentry and descent over the Indian Ocean."


https://www.spacex.com/launches/miss...rship-flight-6

[Easo]

The speed between the test flights seem to be increasing. Truly wonderful times regarding space eploration.

[Pann]

Next Starship test will, hopefully, be on this coming Tuesday (19th Nov) at 16:00 CT - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1857624156952735839

[Pann]

Just under an hour to go until the launch (hopefully)!

[PACOX]

I remember when a certain head of SpaceX tried to say the FAA and EPA were holding them back. Turns out all SpaceX had to do was follow regulations, something that the actual engineers of the firm seemed to have no problem adjusting to


Looking forward to a good launch

[Pann]

I can't say that I'm not disappointed that they couldn't catch the booster but that landing was very impressive.

- - - Updated - - -

The splashdown of Ship was very, very cool - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1859010620471079361

[PACOX]

Good flight. Not catching the booster is an overall positive. You want to know where your faults lie while testing and how to mitigate them. Also boosters don't have to be caught or even landed on a barge to reuse them; it just makes the refurb process a whole lot easier if returning boosters to the pad can be mastered. Closer to fuel transers.

[Pann]

SpaceX's has posted some spectacular footage of Ship's last test flight

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1860006072091836888

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1860083533001424973

Also some great pictures

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1859717568162127873

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1859716672623624586

[ringpriest]

(Posts from back to 2022 included for context.)

The core they just launched was under construction since November 2014, with the upper stage being completed and delivered in 2017. I have no faith in SLS time tables.

Hey @Nerraw that's weird, looks here like the Artemis 2 core stage just needs engine section before it gets shipped to Kennedy Space Center... but you said it was unlikely for Artemis 2 to be on time... That's a pretty weird statement to make, don't you think?

Any bets on whether Artemis II will launch before 2026?

Artemis II doesn't need to go through a green run campaign like Artemis 1 did. Almost like they have a long green run and a full flight already completed or something

So, about that...

NASA delays Artemis 2 moon mission to 2026, Artemis 3 astronaut landing to mid-2027

NASA announced today (Dec. 5) that it's delaying the planned launch of Artemis 2, a flight that will send four people around the moon and back, from September 2025 to April 2026.

I expect Artemis 2 will still fly with the second SLS launch, eventually. It's self-contained, and something of a prestige project. But I will say, again, that I don't think SLS 3 will ever fly, nor will SLS Block 2. Among other things, Artemis 3 requires a working Starship to conduct its mission... and a working Starship makes SLS obsolete.

[PACOX]

Its cooked. Develop a new capsule so at least SLS flies or each the damages and refocus on making Starship the sole lifter for Artemis. Orion is a 10-year-old capsule, it should be the most stable part of the program at this point, not the one causing years of delays.

- - - Updated - - -

(Posts from back to 2022 included for context.)






So, about that...

NASA delays Artemis 2 moon mission to 2026, Artemis 3 astronaut landing to mid-2027


I expect Artemis 2 will still fly with the second SLS launch, eventually. It's self-contained, and something of a prestige project. But I will say, again, that I don't think SLS 3 will ever fly, nor will SLS Block 2. Among other things, Artemis 3 requires a working Starship to conduct its mission... and a working Starship makes SLS obsolete.

Technically SLS isn't the problem, in this case at least, but theres no point in SLS if their no Orion capsule.

[PACOX]

The return to the Moon might be falling apart but the US is one step closer to having yet another heavy rocket comparable to Falcon Heavy and Vulcan Centaur. SLS and Starship are considered super heavy in comparison.

SpaceNews
SpaceNews

Posted inLaunch
Blue Origin test fires New Glenn first stage ahead of inaugural launch
by Jeff Foust
December 28, 2024
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New Glenn static fire
The first stage of Blue Origin's New Glenn fires its seven BE-4 engines on the pad in a Dec. 27 test. Credit: Blue Origin
SANTA FE, N.M.— Blue Origin says it is ready for the first launch of its New Glenn rocket after completing a static-fire test Dec. 27, hours after receiving a launch license.

The seven BE-4 engines in the first stage of New Glenn ignited shortly before 8 p.m. Eastern at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The engines fired for 24 seconds, Blue Origin said in a statement, including 13 seconds at 100% thrust.

The static-fire test was the culmination of a test campaign that involved loading propellants into both stages of the launch vehicle and going through practice countdowns. The company appeared to outside observers to be preparing to ignite the engines several times earlier in the day but did not do so. The company did not provide details about the tests while in progress during the day, or during similar tests Dec. 21 that also did not culminate with a static fire.

The company said the test campaign demonstrated “day-of-launch” operations of the rocket and validate vehicle and ground systems before an actual launch attempt. “The campaign met all objectives and marks the final major test prior to launch,” the company stated.

The test came hours after the Federal Aviation Administration granted a launch license to Blue Origin for New Glenn. The license authorizes the company to carry out New Glenn launches from Cape Canaveral, although with few details about specific trajectories or other conditions for such launches.

“By working closely with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license well in advance of the statutory deadline for the historic maiden flight of New Glenn,” Kelvin Coleman, associate administrator for commercial space transportation at the FAA, said in a Dec. 27 statement.

With the license in hand and the static-fire test complete, Blue Origin appears ready to proceed with the inaugural launch of New Glenn as soon as early January. “Well, all we have left to do is mate our encapsulated payload…and then LAUNCH!” stated Dave Limp, chief executive of Blue Origin, in a social media post.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin, was more succinct: “Next stop launch.”

https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-te...ugural-launch/


Summary, Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos company) did everything but actually let the their new rocket, New Glenn, fly. Actually maiden flight is expected in a week or two. Aboard the maiden flight will be Blue Ring, thing orbit as a space tug boat. Blue Ring will be an orbital platform capable of refueling and maneuvering payloads in space the way a tug boat services ships on the ground.

[PACOX]

A lot of people are talking about New Glenn launch as early as Jan 6 after midnight.

IDK if they will attempt a landing but they did send out their landing ship.

[PACOX]

Blue Origin is now looking at Jan 10 for its first flight. We might be getting a New Glenn and Starship flight on the same day. You be huge day for spaceflight enthusiasts.

[Nerraw]

Hello, am still alive and watching SPACE.

Starship is now next week.

[PACOX]

Dang, Starship and New Glenn on the same day would have been awesome but thats spaceflight for you.

[Nerraw]

New Glenn is now on the 12th due to horrible weather in the recovery area.

[PACOX]

Im blowing hot air but I feel like New Glenn got pushed back because they really want to launch with 24 hours of Starship. I don't remember a landing being part of their mission leading up to now, a maybe maybe not thing. Suddenly they are canceling because they can't land? The skies couldn't be any clearer. Then again, it's freezing outside as far as FL is concerned. Might as well take advantage of multiple favorable windows.

Just might get that fabled New Glenn and Starship on the same day.


Side note. I forgot that New Glenn is about as tall as SLS but half its dry mass.


New Glenn is supposed to be the highest capacity heavy rocket in the US market. Falcon Heavy still beats it if Falcon Heavy goes expendables.

SLS has the largest capacity of the super heavy but it's too impractical for anything but NASA missions where science supersedes money IF the thing gets to fly.

Starship is the king of the super heavy category though, mixing practically with capability. It might not be able to go straight to deep space like SLS but it doesn't need to. Starship, payload, and fuel can be launched into orbit separately, allowing it to manage much larger payloads than it's competition with a lot more versatility. Imagine the size of truck you would need if you wanted to drive across the United States but could never refuel vs a truck that can refuel.

[Nerraw]

The seas in the recovery area are currently sporting waves of 5+ meters. Not exactly agreeable when you want to land 58 meters of water tower on a tiny barge, even if you don't expect to make it on the first try.