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Article (already) on the test and failure.
SpaceX Starship Mk. 1 fails during cryogenic loading test - NASASpaceFlight.com
SpaceX Starship Mk. 1 fails during cryogenic loading test - NASASpaceFlight.com
pdx_m3s
Active Member
Any news on whether this is a "weld it back together" type of problem, or is this a "rebuild the facility and rocket from scratch" type of problem? Or is that 'rebuild the water tower' from scratch
I think they are going to scrap Mk1 all together. Perhaps salvage it for parts (e.g. actuating fins, hydraulic system, batteries, etc.) and get to work on Mk3. Elon mentioned they would move to begin work on Mk3 as a result of the RUD earlier today.
The CH4 tank is on top. This is unlike most other rockets, and is a change from the original MCT and BFR designs.
It was likely that both tanks were pressurised with LN2 in this test. The boiling LN2 provides Nitrogen gas for pressurisation. It was likely that the pressure in this test was above nominal, but it blew before the pressure reached the setting of the pressure relief valves.
It was likely that both tanks were pressurised with LN2 in this test. The boiling LN2 provides Nitrogen gas for pressurisation. It was likely that the pressure in this test was above nominal, but it blew before the pressure reached the setting of the pressure relief valves.
Appears to have been a weld failure.
LOT of welds on these things. I hope they can automate it better. Would be awesome if they could come up with a varying-thickness spiral winder.... but as for a simpler step, maybe they'll go to orbital welders. At the very least, Mk3 will lack the vertical welds - that's a start.
LOT of welds on these things. I hope they can automate it better. Would be awesome if they could come up with a varying-thickness spiral winder.... but as for a simpler step, maybe they'll go to orbital welders. At the very least, Mk3 will lack the vertical welds - that's a start.
Olds442
Member
i want to work somewhere that blowing stuff up is "not an unexpected outcome." that's fun.
That is a lot of liquid nitrogen boiling off into the atmosphere. But hey, at least it’s not a greenhouse gas! What a great video; loved watching the dome fly up out of the frame and then finally come back down and SPLAT!
What a great video; loved watching the dome fly up out of the frame and then finally come back down and SPLAT!
Scott Manley identified a pic of the section the blew being assembled, because of course he did: Scott Manley on Twitter
I blame blue-hat guy too. LOL #notreally
I blame blue-hat guy too. LOL #notreally
Rumor from SpaceX Boca Chica Facebook group:
"RUPTURE UPDATE:
Through back channels it has been revealed that MK1 suffered an accidental overpressure to failure. Fuel and oxidizer would typically be loaded to 3 Bar or 43.5 psi~ for densification purposes and flightworthy tanks may be tested to 1.5-2x that value for single time structural proofing. In the case of what happened today the story is that communications errors between the pumps/sensors and remote controls allowed the tanks to be massively and erroneously overpressured to the point of failure, leading to catastrophic rupture.
We expect SpaceX in good time to reveal the details, they may explain it was deliberate as big changes in airframe and control surfaces in the succeeding MK series variants are coming."
"RUPTURE UPDATE:
Through back channels it has been revealed that MK1 suffered an accidental overpressure to failure. Fuel and oxidizer would typically be loaded to 3 Bar or 43.5 psi~ for densification purposes and flightworthy tanks may be tested to 1.5-2x that value for single time structural proofing. In the case of what happened today the story is that communications errors between the pumps/sensors and remote controls allowed the tanks to be massively and erroneously overpressured to the point of failure, leading to catastrophic rupture.
We expect SpaceX in good time to reveal the details, they may explain it was deliberate as big changes in airframe and control surfaces in the succeeding MK series variants are coming."
Rumor has it that within the last few days the decision was made that Mk1 was not going to fly. It was going to be used for ground tests and nothing more. Same is likely for Mk2 in Florida.
Rumor also says Mk3 is a significant change in design, some parts are already at Boca Chica. A few parts may be salvaged from Mk1.
Rumor also says Mk3 is a significant change in design, some parts are already at Boca Chica. A few parts may be salvaged from Mk1.
Singer3000
Member
pdx_m3s
Active Member
Singer3000
Member
At the last presentation, it was pencilled in for late Nov? And at least officially, the failure for Mk1 didn’t affect the overall development timeline. 4-6 months seems a long wait for the inpatient among us!
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