Full Rundown: SpaceX Starship IFT3 - New Info

What about it!?

12 Mar 202420:49

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses SpaceX's Starship's third launch, scheduled with optimism for reentry success. It covers pre-launch preparations, regulatory clearances, and technical updates, including flight termination systems and Raptor engine tests. Starliner's delays and Boeing's crew capsule challenges are also highlighted. Finally, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket's progress and its upcoming maiden launch are examined, showcasing the excitement in the space industry.

Takeaways

🚀 Starship's third launch is scheduled for the week with a lot of new information and preparations being discussed.
📅 SpaceX has officially scheduled a launch livestream for March 14th at 6:30 am Central Time, indicating confidence in regulatory clearance.
🔬 The WB-57 aircraft is booked for imagery support on the launch day, which is crucial for capturing detailed videos of Starship in flight.
🛣️ Road closures around the launch site have been announced by Cameron County, suggesting an imminent launch.
⛔️ A Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) has been issued for the Gulf of Mexico, declaring a no-go zone for safety during the launch.
🔄 SpaceX plans to test the Raptor relight capabilities during the flight, which could result in a splashdown closer to Madagascar or Australia depending on the test's success.
🔧 Final preparations include the installation of flight termination system charges and restacking of Starship after additional heat tile work.
📝 Regulatory documents are awaited, including an evacuation notice for Boca Chica Village and a notice to air missions for the US side of the border.
🔄 Changes from the previous flight include internal modifications like slosh baffles in Booster 10 and a transition to an electric thrust vector control system in Ship 28.
🔧 Ship 28 features updates like liquid oxygen vents and a reinforced payload bay door, indicating potential for a Starlink mission later in the year.
🛰️ Starliner's launch has been delayed again, this time due to ISS scheduling, with the new launch expected in early May 2024.
🚀 Blue Origin has been conducting first stage testing of New Glenn, with the rocket being moved to Launch Complex 36 for cryogenic tests.

Q & A

What is the significance of Starship's third launch scheduled for this week?
-The third launch of Starship is significant as it represents a step closer to achieving the goal of reaching Mars, with each launch bringing new information and improvements to the spacecraft.
What is the official launch date and time for Starship's third flight?
-The official launch is scheduled for March 14th at 6:30 am Central Time, with the livestream starting half an hour before the launch.
How can viewers get a pre-launch analysis and updates on Starship's third launch?
-Viewers can join the live coverage starting at 4 am Central Time for a three-hour pre-launch analysis, with remote cameras providing updates from Starbase during the launch day.
What is the purpose of booking the WB-57 aircraft for Starship's launch?
-The WB-57 aircraft is booked to capture detailed videos of Starship in flight, which can later be requested by the public through the Freedom of Information Act.
Why are road closures announced by Cameron County?
-Road closures are announced to ensure public safety during the launch, as they create a buffer zone around the launch site to prevent any potential hazards.
What does the Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) for the Gulf of Mexico indicate?
-The NOTMAR declares a no-go zone in the Gulf of Mexico, extending from Starbase towards Cuba, to ensure safety during the launch and to mark the expected splashdown area for the Booster.
What is the potential outcome of testing the Raptor relight capabilities during Starship's third flight?
-A successful Raptor relight could result in a splashdown closer to Madagascar, while a failure might lead to the spacecraft descending closer to Australia. Success could pave the way for an orbital attempt in the fourth mission.
What changes were made to the Booster and Ship 28 before the third flight in comparison to the previous flights?
-The Booster received internal modifications, including slosh baffles to manage liquid oxygen slosh. Ship 28 transitioned to an electric thrust vector control system, added liquid oxygen vents, and saw changes in the payload bay door and Starlink PEZ deployer.
What is the current status of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft after its initial setbacks?
-After resolving issues with the software, propulsion valves, and electrical wiring harness, Boeing's Starliner is gearing up for another launch attempt in 2024, with a new crewed mission expected in early May.
What are the challenges faced by Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket before its maiden launch?
-New Glenn needs to have its BE-4 engines installed, landing gear, strakes, vertical fins, and interstage prepared for flight. The maiden launch is planned to deploy two satellites for the Escapade mission.
Why is the launch of New Glenn significant for Blue Origin and NASA?
-The launch of New Glenn is significant as it marks a major step in Blue Origin's spaceflight capabilities and provides NASA with a cost-effective option for launching spacecraft into space.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Starship's Upcoming Launch and Pre-Flight Preparations

The script discusses the imminent third launch of SpaceX's Starship, scheduled for the week of the recording. It covers the anticipation of a successful reentry and provides an update on the Starliner spacecraft's delays. The host, Felix, introduces the show 'What About It!?' and dives into Starship updates, mentioning the excitement of the upcoming launch and the progress made since the last episode. The script details the pre-launch checklist, including official statements from SpaceX, the scheduled livestream, and the booking of the WB-57 aircraft for flight imagery support. It also mentions road closures and maritime notices indicating a no-go zone for the launch and potential splashdown areas, suggesting tests of the Raptor engine relight capabilities and the possibility of an orbital attempt in a future mission.

05:01

🔧 Final Preparations and Regulatory Hurdles for Starship's Launch

This paragraph continues the discussion on Starship's launch preparations, highlighting the installation of the Flight Termination System (FTS) and the repair of heat tiles on Ship 28. It mentions the remaining tasks such as restacking the Starship, the regulatory documents needed including an evacuation notice and official launch license, and the minor changes in the software for the upcoming flight. The summary also touches on the hardware changes in Ship 28, such as the transition to an electric thrust vector control system and the addition of liquid oxygen vents, which could serve as a thruster system or for a safer oxidizer dump.

10:06

🛰️ Starship's Payload Bay Enhancements and Starliner's Continued Delays

The script moves on to discuss modifications to Ship 28 that may not directly affect the flight outcome but are significant for future missions, such as a longer Starlink PEZ deployer and a reinforced payload bay door. It acknowledges the support from Ringwatchers and the potential for an in-flight test of the payload bay. The summary also revisits the delays of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, detailing the issues encountered during its uncrewed test flights and the subsequent need for rework. It contrasts SpaceX's quick resolution of issues with Boeing's ongoing challenges and mentions the upcoming crewed launch attempt for Starliner in 2024.

15:09

🌌 New Glenn's Progress and Upcoming Challenges for Blue Origin

The script shifts focus to Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, discussing the progress made in testing the first stage and the move to Launch Complex 36. It provides historical context for the launch site and outlines the cryogenic tests conducted. The summary points out the components still missing for a full flight, such as the BE-4 engines, landing gear, strakes, vertical fins, and the interstage. It raises questions about whether Blue Origin can launch New Glenn by the end of the year and discusses the implications of the launch window and the risk associated with maiden launches.

20:13

👕 Community Engagement and Anticipation for Future Space Missions

The final paragraph wraps up the script by encouraging viewer engagement through likes and subscriptions, promoting the channel's merchandise, and suggesting further viewing to enhance space knowledge. It expresses excitement for the upcoming space missions and the community's role in supporting the channel's content creation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Starship

Starship is a spacecraft being developed by SpaceX, designed to be a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans and cargo to various destinations, including Mars. In the video's context, it is the main focus of the discussion, with updates on its third launch and the anticipation of its progress towards reentry capabilities. The script mentions the launch plan, livestream, and various preparations, indicating the significance of Starship in advancing space exploration.

💡Raptor relight

The Raptor relight refers to the capability of the Raptor engines on the Starship to reignite after being shut down, which is crucial for performing maneuvers such as deorbit burns. The script discusses the possibility of testing this feature during the Starship's flight, highlighting the importance of this capability for achieving a successful orbital attempt in future missions.

💡NOTAM and NOTMAR

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and NOTMAR (Notice to Mariners) are notifications that declare restricted areas in the airspace and maritime zones, respectively. In the video, these notices are mentioned in relation to the Starship launch, indicating the establishment of no-go zones for safety reasons during the launch and potential splashdown of the rocket stages.

💡Boostback burn

The boostback burn is a critical maneuver in rocket flight where the vehicle performs a controlled burn to reorient itself for a targeted landing. The script refers to the Super Heavy's journey ending during this phase in a previous flight, emphasizing the technical challenges and the importance of this maneuver for a successful landing.

💡Flight Termination System (FTS)

The Flight Termination System is a safety feature installed on rockets that allows for the controlled destruction of the vehicle in case of a malfunction or deviation from the planned trajectory. The script describes the installation of the FTS on Starship and its purpose, illustrating the precautions taken to ensure safety during test flights.

💡Starliner

Starliner is a spacecraft developed by Boeing in collaboration with NASA as part of the Commercial Crew Program. The script discusses the delays and challenges faced by Starliner, including software issues and hardware rework, contrasting its development with that of SpaceX's Crew Dragon and emphasizing the importance of overcoming these obstacles for the United States' spaceflight capabilities.

💡New Glenn

New Glenn is a heavy-lift orbital rocket being developed by Blue Origin, intended to compete with other launch vehicles in the market. The script provides an update on the progress of New Glenn, including its testing phase and the challenges that remain before its maiden launch, reflecting the broader theme of the video which is the advancement and setbacks in space technology development.

💡Cryogenic testing

Cryogenic testing is a procedure where rocket components are subjected to extremely low temperatures to ensure they can withstand the conditions of spaceflight. The script mentions that New Glenn underwent several cryogenic tests, indicating a key phase in the development and testing process of the rocket.

💡Space Launch Complex-41

Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) is a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, used for launching Atlas V rockets. The script refers to the preparation of the Atlas V rocket for the Starliner mission at SLC-41, providing an example of the infrastructure used in spaceflight operations.

💡BE-4 engine

The BE-4 engine is a liquid natural gas-fueled rocket engine developed by Blue Origin. It is intended to power the New Glenn rocket. The script notes the absence of these engines on the New Glenn during its testing phase, highlighting a critical component yet to be integrated for the rocket's eventual flight.

💡Maiden launch

A maiden launch refers to the first flight of a new rocket or spacecraft. The script discusses the anticipation for the maiden launch of New Glenn, including the challenges and risks associated with such an event, and the importance of a successful launch for the credibility and future of the rocket program.

Highlights

Starship's third launch is scheduled for this week with new information on the flight plan.

SpaceX has announced an official launch livestream set for March 14th at 6:30 am Central Time.

What About It!? offers live coverage starting at 4 am Central Time for pre-launch analysis.

Restricted access to the launch site, but two remote cameras will provide updates from Starbase.

Booking of the WB-57 aircraft by NASA for detailed video capture of Starship in flight.

Road closures announced by Cameron County on March 14th for the anticipated launch.

NOTMAR declares a no-go zone in the Gulf of Mexico for safety during the launch.

SpaceX plans to test the Raptor relight capabilities during the flight, possibly leading to an orbital attempt in the fourth mission.

Installation of flight termination system charges on March 8th as a safety measure.

Starship needs to be restacked for the mission, with additional heat tile work completed on Ship 28.

Regulatory documents awaited include an evacuation notice for Boca Chica Village and a notice to air missions.

The official launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration is still pending.

Super Heavy's boostback burn ended its journey in the second flight, but Ship managed to reach space.

SpaceX's iterative process allows for quick identification and resolution of issues found in previous tests.

Internal modifications to Booster 10 include the addition of slosh baffles to manage liquid oxygen movement.

Ship 28 transitions from hydraulic to electric thrust vector control system, reducing fire risk.

New Glenn by Blue Origin concludes first stage testing and reveals more of its hardware.

Blue Origin's New Glenn is preparing for its maiden launch with the Escapade mission.

Starliner launch by Boeing is delayed again, this time due to ISS scheduling conflicts.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Will Starship Launch This Week? | Starbase Update

It's go time for SpaceX's Starship Flight 3

SpaceX Performs Third Attempt of B10/S28 Wet Dress Rehearsal

Liftoff! SpaceX Crew-8 launches to the International Space Station - Extended cut

The Insane Engineering of Orbit

What Did SpaceX Change & Upgrade For Starship's 3rd Flight Test?