I agree. Unfortunately, I expect that just about every media story will have as part of the headline ”SpaceX Starship Explodes After Launch” or something similar. Only Eric Berger and a few others will provide a balanced report.
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SpaceX Starship - Integrated Flight Test #2 - Starbase TX - Including Post Launch Dissection
- Thread starter Grendal
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While the hot staging might have something to do with Booster RUD, I don't think that had anything to do with Starship flight profile or its RUD. That brings the question, did MECO happen at the expected flight parameters, or did the booster underperform?
I expect staging would not occur until target velocity was achieved, even if booster used too much (vs planned) propellant.
Seems like second stage had a fuel mix issue at the end. Went from excess LOX to excess CH4 (based on telemetry graph).
JusRelax
Active Member
All boosters lit up, hot staging and booster separation were a success, I consider this a major success already, and am ecstatic for 3rd flight. It can't come soon enough!
The booster seemed to do everything correct through staging. My impression is that on relight for the boostback burn maybe one or two engines didn't relight properly. That would put it off nominal course, which would activate FTS for safety reasons.
There was a visual event on Starship at 7:07. That probably caused some adjustment to the course. At 7:43 you can also see what looked like cold gas thrusters trying to adjust course. Soon after that you have the engines shut down. A few moments after that the FTS kicks in for Starship.
That is my speculative WAG.
What was the expected burn time for 2nd engine? Rather how many more seconds of burn was still needed to put the ship into orbit ?
And Yes, what a sight it was to see all the 33 engines of the booster perform flawlessly (atleast visually) all through MECO. Did any of them underperform..? we wouldn't know until SpaceX tell us.
And Yes, what a sight it was to see all the 33 engines of the booster perform flawlessly (atleast visually) all through MECO. Did any of them underperform..? we wouldn't know until SpaceX tell us.
The 7:07 event may have been LOX leak, maybe autogenous pressurization issue?
7:43 looked like a minor attitude tweak as it was somewhat symmetric.
Starship ignition was supposed to start @2:41 with termination @8:33 per Spacex, (Note the goal was not orbit but sub-orbit.)
SpaceX
Based on uber simple acceleration inter/extra-polation from the T+8:00 to T+8:02 velocity change, it was on track to reach 27kkms by 8:33 before the engines cut out.
Initial reports appear to report stage 0 (launch area) survived very well which is good news.
It was a beautiful launch and I loved watching it, but I was a little deflated because it looked like a Falcon 9 launch. I had to remind myself that it's greatly scaled up.
Then I was watching the NSF replays, and they showed the launch as seen from Corpus Christi. That huge cloud of water vapor and dust spread across the entire area and obscured the rocket and launch tower. Then the rocket rose from the cloud. Then some more rocket appeared. And more. It just kept rising out of that cloud and that gave me a sense of how freaking huge that rocket is. It was actually intimidating to watch it moving that fast.
What a launch.
Sadly, we may have to wait until March for another.
Then I was watching the NSF replays, and they showed the launch as seen from Corpus Christi. That huge cloud of water vapor and dust spread across the entire area and obscured the rocket and launch tower. Then the rocket rose from the cloud. Then some more rocket appeared. And more. It just kept rising out of that cloud and that gave me a sense of how freaking huge that rocket is. It was actually intimidating to watch it moving that fast.
What a launch.
Sadly, we may have to wait until March for another.
MECO happened at 2:43 flying at 5635 KM/H and 69 KM altitude. With this could one say, booster and its 33 engines performed flawlessly, and I would presume enough of fuel for landing ?
I noticed an uneven location of lit booster engines after the flip, was that a problem?
NYT headline: Elon Musk’s Giant Moon and Mars Rocket Makes Progress in 2nd Test Flight
I think that’s a fair headline.
I think that’s a fair headline.
I never thought of my Elite as having RUD, but I suppose...
sorry about OT. I'm still giddy about the amazing launch and successful hot separation. I really did not expect that to happen so smoothly.
Not the images. Look at bottom left telemetry data and a graphic that indicates which engines are ON or OFF
It was a staggered restart, but Scott shows some didn't light/ stay lit.
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