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Merged SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Explodes After Launch/Starship hop

There have been a few static fires and it seems some problems with fuel pressures but it seems they are ready to try again. Today for the next 5 hours, or the next 2 days if things don't go well today.

Edit - scrubbed for today because of high winds.
 
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a_unique_person said:
The genius of using stainless steel. Got a problem with that panel? Hey, get the panel beaters out here and bash it back into shape.
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It also makes heat shielding simpler. Stainless steel can withstand much higher temperatures than aluminum or carbon fiber without losing structural strength, so you can make up a lot of the weight lost to steel being heavier by not needing thermal tiles.
 
a_unique_person said:
Rumour that the FAA is not happy with the SN8 flight. Elon didn't let on about all the risks involved or something.
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There was an engine change. FAA didn't like it because engine changes have to have special safety checks and protocols (or something, don't ask me the details). Seems a bit strange to me - an engine is an engine. Airline change engines on aircraft all the time, and it doesn't seem to attract a lot of attention.

I think the FAA are poorly equipped to deal with all this. Between SpaceX, ULA, Virgin and Orbital ATK (now Northrop-Grumman) and with Blue Origin soon to join, and Rocketlab opening their new launch facility at Wallops, there could be upwards of 50 launches per year. The FAA's space division are just not set up deal with the launch cadence of modern rocketry.
 
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There has been a few days of will-they-won't-they, but it looks like Elon and the FAA have sorted out their differences and there might even be an attempt at a flight today! Since last Thursday there has been no TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) granted, but today there is. Most importantly, SN9's flaps have finally been extended!

I prefer the LabPadre feed of the launch pad because there is little-to-no talking going on, but the pictures and text are all that is needed to be known. At the moment, there is a lovely view of SN9 and SN10 next to each other as SN9 is prepared for launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky5l9ZxsG9M
 
Spoiler alert - all did not go to plan

I only saw 1 engine relight on the way down, with a touchdown slightly less controlled than SN8, and a similar result. Once again, great explosion and good telemetry.

Hope SN10 wasn't damaged and they can light that one soon.
 
Didn't actually get as close to landing as 8, I'd say. But otherwise looked very good. After the RUD there was a shot of a bit of light debris fluttering down the side of Ten. Probably wouldn't be damaging.
 
Was this another "seven out of eight criteria for success were met" situation?

I'll catch up with Scott Manley tonight, undoubtedly.
 
Well, it (SN10) went up, came down and landed.

It didn't* blow up.

Seems like the landing legs didn't deploy, it is leaning and looks to be a little bit on fire.

Sometimes those revolutionary things come in incremental steps. This counts.


ETA: I posted too soon. It just blew up, a few minutes after landing. Had to edit the post with a bit of selective strikethrough.
 
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