BFR Developments

[Yazata]

The FAA has completed its investigation into the failed booster boostback burn on Flight 12. They say

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[Yazata]

Here's an authorized version of the Critical Path documentary, posted on Youtube by SpaceX themselves.

It's extremely good, well worth a watch. Lots of inside looks at the SpaceX engineers and technicians battling to overcome problems as they arise. Plus valuable discussion of how the flame deflector in the flame trench works. Check it out.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-a0ecQMq-rM

[Yazata]

Launch tomorrow, July 16, at 5:45 PM Central

I believe that the launch window extends to 7:56 PM Central

Friday is a backup day, same times.

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[Yazata]

T - 1 hour 45 minutes, countdown progressing

T - 45 minutes - all systems and weather are good - GO for propellant load

T - 30 minutes - no issues prop load has started

T - 10 minutes - no issues

Aborted at engine ignition. Doon't know why.

That means a scrub for the day. The rocket still looks good.

Elon says, "Some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort.

Now offloading propellant.

Next launch attempt hopefully in a few days."

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2077890013841310149

[Yazata]

Flight 13 Second Attempt appears to be Monday July 20

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[Yazata]

Flight 13 has been pushed back to Thursday July 23.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-13

Meanwhile, the engines that failed to light on the first launch attempt have been removed and have been spotted at McGregor, the SpaceX rocket engine development site, where they will be placed on test stands to determine what the problem was.

Here is Raptor serial number 137 which was in the E12 position on Booster 20.

(Photo by Nasaspaceflight.com)

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[Yazata]

Flight 13 is still on for later today. The SpaceX stream starts at 5:12 PM Central. But weather is looking pretty iffy.

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1AJEmmYdMDnJL

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[Yazata]

Launch has been scrubbed for today because of weather. Rescheduled for Friday at 5:45 pm Central time.

[Yazata]

T - 5 hours and 30 minutes. Helicopters and a twin engine turboprop aircraft are up making sure the range is clear. There are several boats out as well for range safety and booster recovery. The last propellant tanker trucks are unloading.

The SpaceX livestream will be here

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1AJEmmYdMDnJL

If you aren't an X subscriber, you can watch here:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UYIISBLdIxE

[Yazata]

T - 2 hours 15 minutes - the propellant tanker trucks are done offloading and the road is closed. The tank farm is starting to show some life as they start chilling down pipes so that cryogenic fluids don't flash boil in them.

T - 1 hour 20 minutes - things proceeding normally

T - 1 hour - prop load should be starting in about 10-15 minutes

T - 50 minutes - they just had a six minute hold. I don't know why. But the clock is rolling again.

T - 35 minutes - propellant load has begun

T - 7 minutes - prop load almost complete

T - 4 minutes - SpaceX say they are working no issues

Good launch all 33 booster engines lit and burned to stage separation. Boostback was good. But... the landing burn in the Gulf wasn't right and the booster hit the water very hard.

All six ship engines worked fine and insertion was nominal. Now awaiting payload deploy.

T + 35 minutes - payload deploy complete

The inflight raptor relight was good and somebody got great ground video of it from South Africa or someplace and posted it on X.

Ship 40 survived reentry like a champ.

And 40 landed precisely, toppled over and didn't explode! It's floating in the Indian Ocean!

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SpaceX's Kate Tice says 'Danger Zone' is blaring in the Starbase factory as the company celebrates lucky flight 13