Elon on Starhopper Scrub: Igniters need to be inspected. We will try again tomorrow same time.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166141136198488064

Submitted August 27, 2019 at 03:20AM by FutureMartian97
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Watertowers CAN fly!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYb3bfA6_sQ

Submitted August 28, 2019 at 12:04AM by Leggo15
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SpaceX Dragon Capsule Returns to Earth with NASA Science Haul
https://ift.tt/2MEMkeF

Submitted August 28, 2019 at 05:39PM by Ambiwlans
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4K Replay: Starship Hopper 150 Meter Hover Test
https://youtu.be/8URSQMVlEw4

Submitted August 28, 2019 at 06:44PM by TMahlman
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Scott Manley: Starship Hopper's Biggest, Lastest Flight Above Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T29ybqjv8-U

Submitted August 28, 2019 at 06:04PM by Fizrock
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Slow Motion 4K StarHopper 150m Hop and COPV flying off
https://youtu.be/lsoS6C0uzGY

Submitted August 28, 2019 at 07:11PM by everydayastronaut
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Elon Musk on Twitter: Aiming for 20km flight in Oct & orbit attempt shortly thereafter. Starship update will be on Sept 28th, anniversary of SpaceX reaching orbit. Starship Mk 1 will be fully assembled by that time.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166860032052539392

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 01:52AM by Caemyr
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Elon Musk on Twitter - "Probably 18m [diameter] for next-gen system"
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166856662336102401

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 01:35AM by jclishman
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SpaceX expands its Smallsat program
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1166875550448852993

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 03:09AM by 675longtail
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Leaked Snapchat photos from inside of Starship mk1 at Boca Chica site
https://twitter.com/tj_cooney/status/1166884326342049793?s=21

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 04:04AM by CrazyErik16
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Hurricane Dorian forecast to hit Cape, SpaceX is "closely monitoring weather conditions and planning to take all necessary precautions to protect our employees and safeguard facilities in the potentially affected area"
https://ift.tt/32g2QoX

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 07:16PM by waitingForMars
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NASA + SpaceX
NASA seem destined to use Starship to visit new worlds, and there are definite signs they are preparing to make this bold change in course. On Tuesday the Inspector General of NASA challenged Congress, requesting the launch vehicle used for 2023 Europa Clipper should be chosen through a commercial bid process instead of Congress continuing to mandate SLS. This was quickly endorsed by NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine, who went further declaring: “I will follow the law.” He is implying Congress might be breaking the law if they continue to mandate SLS because federal contracts require a competitive bidding process, where feasible. The IGN makes a strong case too, SLS won’t be available until at least 2025 because its fully booked for Artemis and a timely launch on a commercial vehicle would save ~$1bn for Europa Clipper.Increasingly Congress is becoming isolated, many at NASA are coming round to the possibilities offered by SpaceX, particularly their Starship Launch System. And why not, the prospect of field trips to the moon, Mars, Europa or wherever they please must be mouth-watering to these career scientists. It’s not just individuals, whole NASA centers are swinging towards using Starship. For example Johnson Space Center has been effectively excluded from Artemis work and no doubt looking for new possibilities, preferably in the human space flight arena. JSC is situated at Houston hence has Starship development in their backyard at Boca Chica. Not only that they are the logical choice as intermediary to SpaceX, given their previous experience handling lunar landers for Apollo (arguably Starship is a very fancy crew lander). Many other centers would also like a piece of the Starship action and becoming increasingly vocal in their support."This isn't about us doing it [landing on the moon] — it's about America doing it. He's [Elon Musk’s got] an American company. I'd love to partner with him [on Starship] and get that done." ~ Jeff DeWit, NASA CFOFreeing up Europa Clipper for commercial launch is the next logical step in NASA’s transition to a brighter commercial future with much broader horizons. Admittedly, Clipper will likely fly on Falcon Heavy because its flight proven, inexpensive and the most capable vehicle available. However, this would mark a precedent that commercial launch vehicles can work alongside SLS to support beyond Earth orbit missions. No doubt SpaceX have also bid Falcon Heavy for LOP-G cargo delivery, so they are working on many fronts. While previously Falcon Heavy might have been viewed as a distraction from Starship development, it could actually become the key to unlock NASA’s adoption of Starship.Jim Bridenstine appears genuine in his desire to improve NASA’s prospects despite political headwinds. While it’s true NASA relies on SLS supporters in Congress to help pass their budget, given the significant increase in funding proposed for Artemis, there should be plenty of money to go around for everyone. Who knows, Starship’s maiden flight is due in 2021 (roughly two years before Clipper) perhaps SpaceX could offer a twofer: Europa Clipper and Lander – all launched by reusable Starship. This Congress challenge could seriously advance the prospects for sustained space exploration. SpaceX + NASA, a marriage made in heaven!

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 02:49PM by CProphet
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Claims court punts SpaceX’s LSA bid protest to California court
https://ift.tt/2Zpyi7z

Submitted August 29, 2019 at 10:14PM by ScarletRugby
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SpaceX on Twitter - "Team in McGregor, Texas completed a static fire test today of the Falcon 9 booster that will launch Crew Dragon with @NASA astronauts @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug to the @space_station"
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1167234510796263425

Submitted August 30, 2019 at 02:37AM by jclishman
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Detailed diagram of the Raptor engine (ER26, gimbal)
https://ift.tt/2MLdTD7

Submitted August 30, 2019 at 08:20PM by eliseimaslov
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<b>Starship Development Thread #5</b>
Overview<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ECHxL2oXoAAUTMX.jpg"></a>SpaceX teams are building two <a href="/r/spacex/wiki/vehicles#wiki_starship">Starship</a> prototypes to follow on from the now retired Starhopper. The vehicles are being constructed at their Starship Assembly Site in Texas, and at their facilities in Cocoa, Florida. The teams at the two locations <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1128448308970541056">are competing</a> to build the first functional prototype, but are also <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1128449289498218496">required to share with each other</a> insights learned along the way. These vehicles will have <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1163889282936967168">aerodynamic control surfaces</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1131429223258677248">at least three engines</a> each. Between the two vehicles, both <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166860032052539392">suborbital and orbital flights</a> are expected. Ring sections believed to be for a Super Heavy booster prototype are being built in Cocoa.A planned, dedicated <a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48720.0">Starship launch platform at LC-39A</a>, may serve either or both of the Starship prototypes. Suborbital launches might also occur from the Starship Launch Site in Boca Chica. Flight tests could begin late 2019.Starship, and its test vehicles, are powered by SpaceX's Raptor, a full flow staged combustion cycle methane/oxygen rocket engine. Sub-scale Raptor test firing began in 2016, and full-scale test firing began early 2019 at McGregor, Texas, where it is ongoing. Eventually, Starship will have <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1131433322276483072">three sea level Raptors and three vacuum Raptors</a>. Super Heavy will initially use around <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1131625229367693312">20 Raptors</a>, and is <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1152853620682924032">expected to have 35</a> to 37 in the final design.Previous Threads:<a href="https://redd.it/am4gxw/">Starhopper Thread</a> #1 (2019-02-01) A dramatic venting watertower<a href="https://redd.it/bi08h9/">Starhopper Thread</a> #2 (2019-04-27) Hops and hiccups - Starships never come alone<a href="https://redd.it/c61lqs/">Starhopper Thread</a> #3 (2019-06-27) RCS and SN6 - 20 meter hopping<a href="https://redd.it/ci70t4/">Starhopper Thread</a> #4 (2019-07-26) 150 meter hop and Mk.1 and Mk.2 protoype growth<a href="https://redd.it/cv8vi4/">Starhopper 150m Hop</a> (2019-08-27) Updates and discussionUpcoming<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1165378770116562944">Starhopper testing is complete</a>September 28th — <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166860032052539392">Starship presentation by Elon</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1157820736582688773">Boca Chica</a> after Mk.1 is fully assembled&#8203;UpdatesOrbital Prototype Mk.1 (Boca Chica) — Construction and Updates2019-08-29<a href="/r/spacex/comments/ci70t4/starship_development_thread_4/eyhr73a/">Pipe added through lower tank</a> (<em>comments</em>), <a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48895.msg1986317#msg1986317">Third concrete jig begun</a> (<em>NSF</em>)2019-08-27<a href="https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1166446196006825992">Centerpiece added to common bulkhead</a> (<em>Twitter</em>)2019-08-24<a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47730.msg1983622#msg1983622">Nose cone top section moved to dedicated stand</a> (<em>NSF</em>), <a href="/r/spacex/comments/ci70t4/starship_development_thread_4/ey0fjac/">Forward flap marks</a> (<em>comments</em>)2019-08-23<a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47730.msg1983167#msg1983167">Track(s) of horizontal brackets appear</a> (<em>NSF</em>)2019-08-21<a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47730.msg19820…

@GregScott_photo: FINAL STARSHIP UPDATE: As of early this morn all people,at least visibly, are off property, gates are locked and Starship is inside but w/o doors. Not sure how much protection this will provide but seems to be final effort before Dorian
https://twitter.com/GregScott_photo/status/1167816327609933824/photo/1

Submitted August 31, 2019 at 07:23PM by CProphet
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