SpaceX Starship - Orbital Test Flight - Starbase TX

Launch Date: April 20
Launch Window: 8:28am CDT (6:28am PDT, 13:28 UTC) - 62 minute window
Launch site: LC-1? - Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
Core Booster Recovery: Expended in Gulf
Starship Recovery: Water landing near Hawaii
Booster: Super Heavy Booster 7
Starship: Starship 24
Mass: No mass simulator mentioned
Orbit: LEO-ish
Yearly Launch Number: 26

A SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship launch vehicle will launch on its first orbital test flight. The mission will attempt to travel around the world for nearly one full orbit, resulting in a re-entry and splashdown of the Starship near Hawaii.

Webcast:

 

[ecarfan]

Thanks for starting this thread! I’m totally stoked.

Regarding the possibility of a chopsticks booster landing attempt; I will be shocked if that happens. I’m anticipating a soft water landing attempt several hundred km down range.

 

[Grendal]

Thanks for starting this thread! I’m totally stoked.

Regarding the possibility of a chopsticks booster landing attempt; I will be shocked if that happens. I’m anticipating a soft water landing attempt several hundred km down range.

It will be expended in the Gulf. I asked someone who would know.

Boo.

 

[ecarfan]

Latest NSF video shows lots of pre-launch activities; moving S24 to the launch site, removing the final scaffolding from the OLM, replenishing tank farm, testing B7 grid fins!

 

[ecarfan]

It will be expended in the Gulf. I asked someone who would know.

Boo.

Oh well, we will hopefully have live video from the booster as it descends and nulls out velocity 70 meters above the water and hovers, perfectly vertical, for a soft landing.

 

[Grendal]

How to visit Starbase and want to watch the launch:

 

[mongo]

Launch Date: NET April 10
Launch Window: 8:10 a.m. CDT (9:10 a.m. EDT;1310 GMT) - 8 hour window
Launch site: LC-1? - Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
Core Booster Recovery: Expended in Gulf
Starship Recovery: Water landing near Hawaii
Booster: Super Heavy Booster 7
Starship: Starship 24
Mass:
Orbit: LEO
Yearly Launch Number: 23

A SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship launch vehicle will launch on its first orbital test flight. The mission will attempt to travel around the world for nearly one full orbit, resulting in a re-entry and splashdown of the Starship near Hawaii.

Since we're all the technical types...
I think the launch window is under 4 hours long, 1310Z-1710Z or 8:10am-12:10pm CDT (combining FAA and marine). The longer time block on the Gulf warning includes fueling. Pacific starts at fueling and runs for 100 minutes after end of launch window (transit time).
Current Operations Plan Advisory

 

[Unclepaul]

Typically Tesla will give this launch a huge test of how it can generate tremendous power and remain controllable curing flight. Elon will fully accept that it may end tragically, but generate data that will allow a more successful one later. Test units totally expendable. They will learn as much as they can, even it it fails or succeeds. Imaging Chop Stick return to base landing will come later. This test will be a step towards that.

Tesla can now make these Falcon boosters quick enough and cheap enough to allow these types of flights.

 

[mongo]

Typically Tesla will give this launch a huge test of how it can generate tremendous power and remain controllable curing flight. Elon will fully accept that it may end tragically, but generate data that will allow a more successful one later. Test units totally expendable. They will learn as much as they can, even it it fails or succeeds. Imaging Chop Stick return to base landing will come later. This test will be a step towards that.

Tesla can now make these Falcon boosters quick enough and cheap enough to allow these types of flights.

s/Tesla/SpaceX
s/Falcon/Super Heavy

 

[mongo]

Eric says SpaceX told NASA the 10th...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1643363784017453057

 

[ecarfan]

Tesla can now make these Falcon boosters

Starship is boosted to orbit by Super Heavy boosters, not Falcon boosters.

And yes, SpaceX is producing Super Heavy and Starship vehicles at an amazing rate. I think we are going to see launches every month if the FAA allows.

 

[ecarfan]

We have a FULL STACK!

 

[ecarfan]

Let’s get back on track and admire this beautiful sight, courtesy of Nick Ansuini.

 

[ecarfan]

This Cameron County beach closure notice says that the beach will be closed April 10/11/12 for “SpaceX non-flight testing activities”.

It appears that Starship will not launch on those dates.

 

[mongo]

This Cameron County beach closure notice says that the beach will be closed April 10/11/12 for “SpaceX non-flight testing activities”.

It appears that Starship will not launch on those dates.

From what I've been able to find, SpaceX has a longer lead time requirement for road closures in general (2 ish weeks) than for flight notices (3-7 days). So, it seems possible to upgrade the closure.
However, Eric B says a couple of his sources have said the 10th isn't happening.

 

[ecarfan]

By the way, in the Nick Ansuini image above of the full stack, look closely and you will see a SpaceX drone flying just to the left of the stack at the top of the booster. At least that’s what I think it is.

 

[qdeathstar]

Let’s get back on track and admire this beautiful sight, courtesy of Nick Ansuini.

View attachment 925439

I didn’t realize starship was so shiny. I always imagine in as black…. Even though I know they building it out of stainless steel…

 

[qdeathstar]

From what I've been able to find, SpaceX has a longer lead time requirement for road closures in general (2 ish weeks) than for flight notices (3-7 days). So, it seems possible to upgrade the closure.
However, Eric B says a couple of his sources have said the 10th isn't happening.

Booo

 

[mongo]

I didn’t realize starship was so shiny. I always imagine in as black…. Even though I know they building it out of stainless steel…

The other side with the tiles is black.

 

[Grendal]

From what I've been able to find, SpaceX has a longer lead time requirement for road closures in general (2 ish weeks) than for flight notices (3-7 days). So, it seems possible to upgrade the closure.
However, Eric B says a couple of his sources have said the 10th isn't happening.

I fully expect the actual launch date to change. I will update the first post as adjustments are made. Lots of prep testing before the button is pushed is what I am expecting.

Also, I broke off the orbital versus sub-orbital discussion onto a separate thread. The title here will remain as it is because everyone else is calling it that whether it is 100% accurate or not.