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Building the Full Metal Starship testbed: Starhopper

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by HVM, Dec 21, 2018.

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  1. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  2. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    Done for today. They're trying again tomorrow
     
  3. palmer_md

    palmer_md Member

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

    HVM Savolainen

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    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
     
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  5. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    • Informative x 1
  6. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

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    Todays attempt by Everyday Astronaut:
     
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  7. diplomat33

    diplomat33 Well-Known Member

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    WOW! Successful 150 m test!
     
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  8. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

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    Looked like nothing short of an awesome success!
     
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  9. Unpilot

    Unpilot Sell order in at $5999.99

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    Chills down spine to know what we are watching...the start of interplanetary ships!
     
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  10. diplomat33

    diplomat33 Well-Known Member

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    That looked higher than 150m. Fantastic test launch! Can't wait to see the full Starship launch into orbit!
     
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  11. diplomat33

    diplomat33 Well-Known Member

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    Me too. It is incredibly exciting!
     
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  12. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

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    mars_ship.jpg mars_ship_l.jpg
     
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  13. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

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    Not quite... But close
    Hopper_measure_01.png
    (c) Everyday Astronaut
     
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  14. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

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    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!
     
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  15. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

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    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...
     
  16. Unpilot

    Unpilot Sell order in at $5999.99

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    COPV?
     
  17. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

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    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...

    Img_4263s.jpg
     
  18. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

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  19. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

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    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!
     
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  20. bxr140

    bxr140 Active Member

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    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...?
     

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