[Merged] SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Explodes After Launch/Starship hop

3point14 · 3rd December 2020, 10:01 AM

Whatever you think of Elon and his antics, this should be good.

It's either going to be a stunning example of how to belly-flop an enormous rocket flip it and land it on its backside or it's going to be an epic RUD.

I think it may be happening tomorrow...

smartcooky · 3rd December 2020, 12:59 PM

Scheduled for Saturday, Dec 5 at 13:00 UTC (Friday Dec 4 at 7am in Boca Chica TX)

3point14 · 3rd December 2020, 01:16 PM

I thank you

Mike! · 3rd December 2020, 03:17 PM

???
.

ohms · 3rd December 2020, 03:23 PM

They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well.

crescent · 3rd December 2020, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mike!

???
.

Well, you know, They Built that City with Rock and Roll.

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the ISF. The ISF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

Now I guess they want to hold a 50's themed dance. A Starship Hop.

....also something about a big rocket scheduled for a 15 km up and down test launch, sometime within the next week.

Garrison · 3rd December 2020, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mike!

???
.

For the uninitiated a brief explanation of the hop and the history of Starship:

https://everydayastronaut.com/starsh...kilometer-hop/

sts60 · 3rd December 2020, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by ohms

They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well.

Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)

smartcooky · 3rd December 2020, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by sts60

Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)

Whatever happens, this is going to be spectacular!

Mike! · 3rd December 2020, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Garrison

For the uninitiated a brief explanation of the hop and the history of Starship:

https://everydayastronaut.com/starsh...kilometer-hop/

Thank you so much!

theprestige · 3rd December 2020, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by sts60

Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)

Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern.

smartcooky · 3rd December 2020, 08:45 PM

Delayed until Monday

ETA: No actual scheduled time yet, but the necessary road closures are from 8am to 5:30 pm CST on Monday

Garrison · 4th December 2020, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern.

You needed two things, someone with the money, vision, and drive to take the gamble on entering the launcher market and embracing these abandoned ideas. And you needed a NASA/Government that was willing and able to support shaking things up.

smartcooky · 4th December 2020, 10:34 AM

Delayed again to Tuesday (Texas time) due to forecast poor weather.

sts60 · 4th December 2020, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by ohms

They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well.

Originally Posted by sts60

Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)

Originally Posted by theprestige

Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern.

Ah, I was teasing, not hating. As much of an orifice as Elon Musk is personally, I wish SpaceX success with this project (and I say that as someone who worked on SLS). And I generally concur with your sentiments.

Trebuchet · 4th December 2020, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by sts60

Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)

Falcon 9 did that years ago.

smartcooky · 4th December 2020, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by sts60

Ah, I was teasing, not hating. As much of an orifice as Elon Musk is personally, I wish SpaceX success with this project (and I say that as someone who worked on SLS). And I generally concur with your sentiments.

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Falcon 9 did that years ago.

Well, yes, but Delta Clipper was touted as a 100% reusable SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit). IMO, SSTO is a pipe dream, and always will be unless rocket science can come up with a new fuel or an engine design that can supply very high thrust at an I_SP up in the high 500s or more. SSTO might be possible, but I doubt such a vehicle would or could deliver a significant payload to orbit.

Delta Clipper never got past the hop stage, hovering for a minute or two before landing again. That aspect was surpassed even before Falcon 9 by the Grasshopper test flights. However, even Falcon 9 does not surpass what Delta Clipper was intended to be, a fully reusable rocket - 100% of the hardware being safely landed for re-use. The second stage of Falcon 9 is de-orbited to burn up on re-entry.

Starship is intended to ultimately achieve what Delta Clipper was supposed to... be a fully reusable rocket with heavy light capability. While Starship is not an SSTO, its two stages, but does it really matter at the end of the day, if you are getting 100% of your hardware back.

sts60 · 4th December 2020, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Falcon 9 did that years ago.

You mean the launch vehicle, right?

I guess there’s a tendency to just think of an integrated spacecraft - even a prototype - differently. But, yep. Here’s a pair of them back at the Cape after the Heavy launch last year.

Roboramma · 5th December 2020, 03:33 AM

Looking forward to this, as 3point14 said, whatever happens is going to be exciting.

Myriad · 5th December 2020, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by smartcooky

Well, yes, but Delta Clipper was touted as a 100% reusable SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit). IMO, SSTO is a pipe dream, and always will be unless rocket science can come up with a new fuel or an engine design that can supply very high thrust at an I_SP up in the high 500s or more. SSTO might be possible, but I doubt such a vehicle would or could deliver a significant payload to orbit.

Delta Clipper never got past the hop stage, hovering for a minute or two before landing again. That aspect was surpassed even before Falcon 9 by the Grasshopper test flights. However, even Falcon 9 does not surpass what Delta Clipper was intended to be, a fully reusable rocket - 100% of the hardware being safely landed for re-use. The second stage of Falcon 9 is de-orbited to burn up on re-entry.

Starship is intended to ultimately achieve what Delta Clipper was supposed to... be a fully reusable rocket with heavy light capability. While Starship is not an SSTO, its two stages, but does it really matter at the end of the day, if you are getting 100% of your hardware back.

That's a good point. The first "stage" is a reusable rocket that can boost its payload partway to orbit and then return intact. That payload being a second reusable rocket that can boost its payload the rest of the way to orbit and then also return intact. It's not SSTO but you can think of it as two stages, or as two reusable vehicles operating in cooperation.

Add three more such vehicles and you can form a megazord.

shemp · 6th December 2020, 08:00 AM

I'll be more impressed when it can skip and jump too.

3point14 · 6th December 2020, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by shemp

I'll be more impressed when it can skip and jump too.

Bits of it might skip. A bit.

arthwollipot · 6th December 2020, 09:25 PM

Looking forward to this. I still have a photo in my screensaver slide show of the original Grasshopper hop test that led to the Falcon 9 first stage recovery.

Puppycow · 7th December 2020, 09:55 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf83...ture=emb_title

Quote:

Starship | SN8 | High-Altitude Flight Test

As early as Tuesday, December 8, the SpaceX team will make the first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing.

This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives, from how the vehicle’s three Raptor engines perform, and the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle, including its body flaps, to how the vehicle manages propellant transition. SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size.

With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn as a whole, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship.

This will be a live feed of the flight test and will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high altitude flight test of Starship!

SpaceX to attempt major Starship SN8 prototype test flight Tuesday. Here's how to watch live.

Quote:

SpaceX's webcast is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT).

(About 10 PM Japan time; or 8 hours from now, if my math is correct)

ohms · 8th December 2020, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

SpaceX to attempt major Starship SN8 prototype test flight Tuesday. Here's how to watch live.
(About 10 PM Japan time; or 8 hours from now, if my math is correct)

It's been pushed back a couple of times, first to 1400 GMT and then 1600 GMT, or approx 2.5 hrs from time of my posting.

crescent · 8th December 2020, 10:49 AM

I just looked in on the live streams. They've got about five more hours in the launch window, but I don't think it is going to go today.

There are people on cranes looking at the fins, and it does not seem to be fueled yet - no vapor venting off.

Garrison · 8th December 2020, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by crescent

I just looked in on the live streams. They've got about five more hours in the launch window, but I don't think it is going to go today.

There are people on cranes looking at the fins, and it does not seem to be fueled yet - no vapor venting off.

The people on the cranes are removing securing chains and a NASA WB-57 is due to be overflying the area later to observe, so the flight is certainly possible for 1600-1800 EST.

smartcooky · 8th December 2020, 02:48 PM

Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut) has his live feed up and is estimating about 33 minutes to launch at time of posting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqL7z70Bqww

crescent · 8th December 2020, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Garrison

The people on the cranes are removing securing chains and a NASA WB-57 is due to be overflying the area later to observe, so the flight is certainly possible for 1600-1800 EST.

Yes - there are some vapors venting here and there now. The little live status window says they are at "SNB Venting", whatever that is. After that the next steps are

Raptor Chill
Siren
Liftoff
Landing
Abor/Scrub

Still no venting from the rocket itself though

arthwollipot · 8th December 2020, 03:25 PM

Unfortunately I'll be working when this happens, but I'm sure I'll catch up on Scott Manley's take when I get home.

3point14 · 8th December 2020, 03:29 PM

They got to just about lighting the blue touch paper.

Then aborted.

arthwollipot · 8th December 2020, 03:42 PM

Darn.

smartcooky · 8th December 2020, 04:54 PM

If in doubt, its better to scrub that to launch and rud.

smartcooky · 9th December 2020, 11:59 AM

First attempt was an auto abort cause by an ignotion problem with one of the Raptor engines.

Second attempt is about 1-2 hours away

smartcooky · 9th December 2020, 01:03 PM

About 48 minutes at time of posting

3point14 · 9th December 2020, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by smartcooky

About 48 minutes at time of posting

Yes, but which stream to watch?

I do like to listen to Tim Dodd, but I think NASA Spaceflight have better cameras...

smartcooky · 9th December 2020, 01:52 PM

I have both

3 minutes to ignition

smartcooky · 9th December 2020, 01:54 PM

They're defuelling for a "hold".

Launch postponed

ETA: Due a to range violation by some idiot in a boat

smartcooky · 9th December 2020, 02:35 PM

Rescheduled launch time 56 minutes

3point14 · 9th December 2020, 03:45 PM

Wow.

3rd December 2020, 10:01 AM	#1
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Explodes After Launch/Starship hop Whatever you think of Elon and his antics, this should be good. It's either going to be a stunning example of how to belly-flop an enormous rocket flip it and land it on its backside or it's going to be an epic RUD. I think it may be happening tomorrow...
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

3rd December 2020, 12:59 PM	#2
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Scheduled for Saturday, Dec 5 at 13:00 UTC (Friday Dec 4 at 7am in Boca Chica TX)
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!! Last edited by smartcooky; 3rd December 2020 at 01:03 PM.

3rd December 2020, 01:16 PM	#3
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	I thank you
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

3rd December 2020, 03:17 PM	#4
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 51,965	??? .
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes."

3rd December 2020, 03:23 PM	#5
ohms Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,583	They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well.
ohms Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,583	__________________ Long time lurker

3rd December 2020, 03:39 PM	#7
Garrison Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 6,099	Originally Posted by Mike! ??? . For the uninitiated a brief explanation of the hop and the history of Starship: https://everydayastronaut.com/starsh...kilometer-hop/
	__________________ So I've started a blog about my writing. Check it out at: http://fourth-planet-problem.blogspot.com/ And my first book is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077W322FX

3rd December 2020, 03:40 PM	#8
sts60 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,082	Originally Posted by ohms They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well. Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-)
sts60 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,082

3rd December 2020, 05:09 PM	#9
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Originally Posted by sts60 Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-) Whatever happens, this is going to be spectacular!
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

3rd December 2020, 05:41 PM	#10
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 51,965	Originally Posted by Garrison For the uninitiated a brief explanation of the hop and the history of Starship: https://everydayastronaut.com/starsh...kilometer-hop/ Thank you so much!
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes."

3rd December 2020, 05:55 PM	#11
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Antimemetics Division Posts: 67,130	Originally Posted by sts60 Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-) Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern.

3rd December 2020, 08:45 PM	#12
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Delayed until Monday ETA: No actual scheduled time yet, but the necessary road closures are from 8am to 5:30 pm CST on Monday
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!! Last edited by smartcooky; 3rd December 2020 at 09:02 PM.

4th December 2020, 06:46 AM	#13
Garrison Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 6,099	Originally Posted by theprestige Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern. You needed two things, someone with the money, vision, and drive to take the gamble on entering the launcher market and embracing these abandoned ideas. And you needed a NASA/Government that was willing and able to support shaking things up.
	__________________ So I've started a blog about my writing. Check it out at: http://fourth-planet-problem.blogspot.com/ And my first book is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077W322FX

4th December 2020, 10:34 AM	#14
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Delayed again to Tuesday (Texas time) due to forecast poor weather.
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

4th December 2020, 11:23 AM	#15
sts60 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,082	Originally Posted by ohms They've done a couple of successful 150m hops. Hope the 15km one goes just as well. Originally Posted by sts60 Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-) Originally Posted by theprestige Haters gonna hate. As far as I'm concerned, they've already surpassed the Delta Clipper. Not that it matters, much, but it's kind of depressing that it's taken almost 30 years for someone to take the proven concept and actually set about making it a going concern. Ah, I was teasing, not hating. As much of an orifice as Elon Musk is personally, I wish SpaceX success with this project (and I say that as someone who worked on SLS). And I generally concur with your sentiments.
sts60 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,082

4th December 2020, 05:43 PM	#16
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 38,254	Originally Posted by sts60 Hope so. It will finally surpass what the Delta Clipper did 27 years ago. :-) Falcon 9 did that years ago.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

4th December 2020, 06:31 PM	#17
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Originally Posted by sts60 Ah, I was teasing, not hating. As much of an orifice as Elon Musk is personally, I wish SpaceX success with this project (and I say that as someone who worked on SLS). And I generally concur with your sentiments. Originally Posted by Trebuchet Falcon 9 did that years ago. Well, yes, but Delta Clipper was touted as a 100% reusable SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit). IMO, SSTO is a pipe dream, and always will be unless rocket science can come up with a new fuel or an engine design that can supply very high thrust at an I_SP up in the high 500s or more. SSTO might be possible, but I doubt such a vehicle would or could deliver a significant payload to orbit. Delta Clipper never got past the hop stage, hovering for a minute or two before landing again. That aspect was surpassed even before Falcon 9 by the Grasshopper test flights. However, even Falcon 9 does not surpass what Delta Clipper was intended to be, a fully reusable rocket - 100% of the hardware being safely landed for re-use. The second stage of Falcon 9 is de-orbited to burn up on re-entry. Starship is intended to ultimately achieve what Delta Clipper was supposed to... be a fully reusable rocket with heavy light capability. While Starship is not an SSTO, its two stages, but does it really matter at the end of the day, if you are getting 100% of your hardware back.
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

5th December 2020, 03:33 AM	#19
Roboramma Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shanghai Posts: 15,490	Looking forward to this, as 3point14 said, whatever happens is going to be exciting.
	__________________ "... when people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together." Isaac Asimov

5th December 2020, 09:44 AM	#20
Myriad The Clarity Is Devastating Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Betwixt Posts: 20,703	Originally Posted by smartcooky Well, yes, but Delta Clipper was touted as a 100% reusable SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit). IMO, SSTO is a pipe dream, and always will be unless rocket science can come up with a new fuel or an engine design that can supply very high thrust at an I_SP up in the high 500s or more. SSTO might be possible, but I doubt such a vehicle would or could deliver a significant payload to orbit. Delta Clipper never got past the hop stage, hovering for a minute or two before landing again. That aspect was surpassed even before Falcon 9 by the Grasshopper test flights. However, even Falcon 9 does not surpass what Delta Clipper was intended to be, a fully reusable rocket - 100% of the hardware being safely landed for re-use. The second stage of Falcon 9 is de-orbited to burn up on re-entry. Starship is intended to ultimately achieve what Delta Clipper was supposed to... be a fully reusable rocket with heavy light capability. While Starship is not an SSTO, its two stages, but does it really matter at the end of the day, if you are getting 100% of your hardware back. That's a good point. The first "stage" is a reusable rocket that can boost its payload partway to orbit and then return intact. That payload being a second reusable rocket that can boost its payload the rest of the way to orbit and then also return intact. It's not SSTO but you can think of it as two stages, or as two reusable vehicles operating in cooperation. Add three more such vehicles and you can form a megazord.
	__________________ "*Except Myriad. Even Cthulhu would give him a pat on the head and an ice cream and send him to the movies while he ended the rest of the world." - Foster Zygote

6th December 2020, 08:00 AM	#21
shemp a flimsy character...perfidious and despised Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Where the Old Man of the Mountain used to stand Posts: 57,258	I'll be more impressed when it can skip and jump too.
	__________________ "An empty void is growing between his ears. Distant screams can be heard echoing in the darkness." -- JihadJane "THIS is why we shouldn't let hippies onto airplanes! If they're all in to natural things and wildlife and stuff, maybe they should fly on a dolphin!" -- gnome

6th December 2020, 08:34 AM	#22
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	Originally Posted by shemp I'll be more impressed when it can skip and jump too. Bits of it might skip. A bit.
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted] Last edited by 3point14; 6th December 2020 at 08:54 AM.

6th December 2020, 09:25 PM	#23
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 85,415	Looking forward to this. I still have a photo in my screensaver slide show of the original Grasshopper hop test that led to the Falcon 9 first stage recovery.
	__________________ A million people can call the mountains a fiction Yet it need not trouble you as you stand atop them https://xkcd.com/154/

7th December 2020, 09:55 PM	#24
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 28,678	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf83...ture=emb_title Quote: Starship \| SN8 \| High-Altitude Flight Test As early as Tuesday, December 8, the SpaceX team will make the first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8) from our site in Cameron County, Texas. The schedule is dynamic and likely to change, as is the case with all development testing. This suborbital flight is designed to test a number of objectives, from how the vehicle’s three Raptor engines perform, and the overall aerodynamic entry capabilities of the vehicle, including its body flaps, to how the vehicle manages propellant transition. SN8 will also attempt to perform a landing flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size. With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn as a whole, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship. This will be a live feed of the flight test and will start a few minutes prior to liftoff. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates as we move toward our first high altitude flight test of Starship! SpaceX to attempt major Starship SN8 prototype test flight Tuesday. Here's how to watch live. Quote: SpaceX's webcast is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT). (About 10 PM Japan time; or 8 hours from now, if my math is correct)
	__________________ A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. William Shakespeare

8th December 2020, 06:24 AM	#25
ohms Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,583	Originally Posted by Puppycow SpaceX to attempt major Starship SN8 prototype test flight Tuesday. Here's how to watch live. (About 10 PM Japan time; or 8 hours from now, if my math is correct) It's been pushed back a couple of times, first to 1400 GMT and then 1600 GMT, or approx 2.5 hrs from time of my posting.
ohms Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,583	__________________ Long time lurker

8th December 2020, 10:49 AM	#26
crescent Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,589	I just looked in on the live streams. They've got about five more hours in the launch window, but I don't think it is going to go today. There are people on cranes looking at the fins, and it does not seem to be fueled yet - no vapor venting off.

8th December 2020, 01:15 PM	#27
Garrison Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 6,099	Originally Posted by crescent I just looked in on the live streams. They've got about five more hours in the launch window, but I don't think it is going to go today. There are people on cranes looking at the fins, and it does not seem to be fueled yet - no vapor venting off. The people on the cranes are removing securing chains and a NASA WB-57 is due to be overflying the area later to observe, so the flight is certainly possible for 1600-1800 EST.
	__________________ So I've started a blog about my writing. Check it out at: http://fourth-planet-problem.blogspot.com/ And my first book is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077W322FX

8th December 2020, 02:48 PM	#28
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut) has his live feed up and is estimating about 33 minutes to launch at time of posting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqL7z70Bqww
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

8th December 2020, 02:51 PM	#29
crescent Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,589	Originally Posted by Garrison The people on the cranes are removing securing chains and a NASA WB-57 is due to be overflying the area later to observe, so the flight is certainly possible for 1600-1800 EST. Yes - there are some vapors venting here and there now. The little live status window says they are at "SNB Venting", whatever that is. After that the next steps are Raptor Chill Siren Liftoff Landing Abor/Scrub Still no venting from the rocket itself though

8th December 2020, 03:25 PM	#30
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 85,415	Unfortunately I'll be working when this happens, but I'm sure I'll catch up on Scott Manley's take when I get home.
	__________________ A million people can call the mountains a fiction Yet it need not trouble you as you stand atop them https://xkcd.com/154/

8th December 2020, 03:29 PM	#31
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	They got to just about lighting the blue touch paper. Then aborted.
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

8th December 2020, 03:42 PM	#32
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 85,415	Darn.
	__________________ A million people can call the mountains a fiction Yet it need not trouble you as you stand atop them https://xkcd.com/154/

8th December 2020, 04:54 PM	#33
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	If in doubt, its better to scrub that to launch and rud.
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

9th December 2020, 11:59 AM	#34
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	First attempt was an auto abort cause by an ignotion problem with one of the Raptor engines. Second attempt is about 1-2 hours away
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

9th December 2020, 01:03 PM	#35
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	About 48 minutes at time of posting
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!

9th December 2020, 01:23 PM	#36
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	Originally Posted by smartcooky About 48 minutes at time of posting Yes, but which stream to watch? I do like to listen to Tim Dodd, but I think NASA Spaceflight have better cameras...
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21,730	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

9th December 2020, 01:52 PM	#37
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,811	I have both 3 minutes to ignition
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... indict the F45CIST!!