SpaceX's Starship Third Launch Finally Happening.... Final Preps
Space Trends Space Trends
32.7K subscribers
10,523 views
0

 Published On Mar 13, 2024

------- Click here to generate your own space picture using Advanced AI: https://stockimg.ai/?via=Space

We're in the final days before SpaceX's third Starship flight test, and the company has just finished one of the crucial steps leading up to the launch. In this video, we're going to cover this latest action by SpaceX.
SpaceX has shared in an online update that it's planning to do the third flight test of its Starship on Thursday, March 14 although they still need approval from regulators. Furthermore, the company has scheduled a live stream to begin on March 14, a practice they maintain before every launch including those of the Falcon 9 rockets.
SpaceX is focusing heavily on the technical aspects required for a successful launch. One such critical component is the water deluge system. This system is crucial for protecting the launch pad and its surroundings from the intense heat and force produced by the booster's Raptor engines during ignition. In a recent test, the system was activated, releasing approximately 350,000 gallons of water in about 20 seconds.
The importance of the water deluge system became clear from SpaceX's initial experiences. During the first Starship launch, the absence of a water deluge system resulted in significant damage to the launch pad. The rocket's engines were so powerful that they created a huge crater at the launch pad and sent debris flying into nearby areas. This damage was serious and took months to fix.
Experts had already suggested SpaceX should use a water deluge system. Such systems are common for big rockets because they help control the heat and force from the launch. After seeing the damage from the first launch, SpaceX decided to build a water deluge system for future launches to avoid similar problems.
Comparing with NASA's system, which uses around 450,000 gallons of water to manage launch conditions for their rockets, shows how vital these systems are. SpaceX's new system aims to use about 350,000 gallons of water to protect the launch area and reduce the risk of damage.
Parallel to the system tests, SpaceX used its chopsticks to carefully stack Starship S28 on top of its Super Heavy booster 10 on March 10th.
For the second integrated flight test, SpaceX used Ship 25 and Booster 9. This test introduced a new hot-staging technique and included a water deluge system as part of the ground support equipment. The flight saw all 33 engines of the first stage firing to full duration, and the Starship and Super Heavy accomplished a hot-staging separation successfully. However, the booster was destroyed due to an engine failure caused by filter blockage. The upper stage had a normal ascent for about seven minutes until a leak developed during a planned liquid oxygen venting, leading to a combustion event. This caused a full engine shutdown and activation of the flight termination system as the ship reached an altitude of approximately 150 km.
Looking ahead, For the third flight test, SpaceX plans a complex mission sequence that begins with the liftoff of the Starship system, which includes both the Starship S28 and its Super Heavy booster 10. This moment marks the start of a meticulously planned journey, initially aimed at reaching a predetermined altitude where the first major milestone, the internal propellant transfer demonstration, will be showcased. This process is critical for future missions, especially those targeting deep space, as it would allow the spacecraft to refuel in orbit, extending its range and capabilities.
Following the successful demonstration of propellant transfer, the mission continues with the Starship preparing for its descent back to Earth. This involves carefully calculated maneuvers to position the spacecraft for re-entry, balancing speed and trajectory to ensure a safe descent through the Earth's atmosphere. As Starship re-enters the atmosphere, it will be subjected to extreme temperatures and forces, testing the vehicle's heat shield and aerodynamic surfaces.
Approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes after launch, the mission culminates in a hard splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX’s preference for a hard splashdown in the Indian Ocean, especially in the context of the third flight test, instead of aiming for a precision landing using its mechazilla, comes from several reasons.

Keywords:- Starship first orbital launch, spacex starship super heavy, spacex launch pad,spacex starship launch pad problem,spacex 33 engines static fire,spacex static fire test,spacex starship launch,spacex rocket launch,spacex finally to the moon,spacex elon musk starship,spacex lauch pad problem

show more

Share/Embed