Building the Full Metal Starship testbed: Starhopper

[mongo]

Agree. The clock looks messed up and might be just arbitrarily running off time. I also think the Notam only gives SpaceX until midnight to launch. With SpaceX still providing their livestream I think it's worth staying tuned in.

For sure, keeping it on at least one screen while refresh TMC
Just glad we didn't try going to watch it 2 weeks ago like Tim Dodd did.

 

[mongo]

Done for today. They're trying again tomorrow

 

[palmer_md]

Of course, if they need to change the spark plugs on the torch, then they'll drain, service and refill which will take a while.

Haha, my thoughts as well, it looks like someone forgot to light the sparkler.

 

[HVM]

Elon Musk
-Igniters need to be inspected. We will try again tomorrow same time.

Eric Berger
-We're going to need some more TEA-TEB.

Elon Musk
-Raptor uses dual redundant torch igniters. Better long-term, but more finicky in development.
-Appears to be a wiring/connector issue

Pranay Pathole @PPathole
-Very strange that relatively simple circuits like the igniters (basically a square wave oscillator and a transformer) could be miswired. Very strange that there are no sensors that could check on whether the igniters were working. Also very strange that there are no comments here

Elon Musk
-Yes, rather embarrassing tbh

Elon Musk on Twitter

 

[mongo]

Assuming they are spark type, it is not trivial to reliably differentiate the actual ignitor sparking from the loose/ disconnected HV lead arcing to the return lead (or ground if open loop).
While the engine is running, you can use the flame plasma/ ionized gas to check the circuit and burn status (like a furnace).
That is why a furnace does not fault until after the flame proofing sensor times out. A hot surface/ wire ignitor is verifiable, but not good versus vibration.

 

[Grendal]

Todays attempt by Everyday Astronaut:

 

[diplomat33]

WOW! Successful 150 m test!

 

[Nikxice]

Looked like nothing short of an awesome success!

 

[Unpilot]

Chills down spine to know what we are watching...the start of interplanetary ships!

 

[diplomat33]

That looked higher than 150m. Fantastic test launch! Can't wait to see the full Starship launch into orbit!

 

[diplomat33]

Chills down spine to know what we are watching...the start of interplanetary ships!

Me too. It is incredibly exciting!

 

[HVM]

 

[HVM]

That looked higher than 150m. Fantastic test launch! Can't wait to see the full Starship launch into orbit!

Not quite... But close

(c) Everyday Astronaut

 

[ecarfan]

Beautiful test flight. It probably doesn’t look like much to non-space enthusiasts, but it is a major step forward, successfully demonstrating Raptor deep throttle control during a flight.

Love the Mach diamonds!

 

[HVM]

Now that I measured again, it's 150m. The landing looked nice and soft, but Hopper still flatted it's shoes and lost one COPV...

 

[Unpilot]

Now that I measured again, it's 150m. The landing looked nice and soft, but Hopper still flatted it's shoes and lost one COPV...

COPV?

 

[HVM]

Composite overwrapped pressure vessel for Cold gas thrusters, part of StarHopper's Reaction control system. -> Nitrogen gas jets for roll control. Landing knocked off one of those bottles. Nothing major, StarShip just need better suspension...

 

[HVM]

Elon Musk‏
-One day Starship will land on the rusty sands of Mars

Elon Musk on Twitter

 

[Nikxice]

Video from the Everyday Astronaut captures Starhopper debris tumbling out of the dust cloud obscuration on the right of the screen. It occurs just after the 1:42:20 mark. Suppose it could be a COPV and possibly also the panel it was mounted on. The launch sequence begins at 1:41:15. Agree with HVM, likely no big deal. Raptors rule!

 

[bxr140]

Lots of thrust vectoring in the spaceX feed. Good stuff.
Looks like the roll started before the cold gas bursts? Its kinda tough to tell in the SpaceX feed but looks that way in the EA feed...?