BFR Developments

[Syne]

An interesting detail is that Booster 14.2, the first reflown Superheavy booster, won't be attempting a second tower catch, but instead will be soft landing expendably in the Gulf of America.

Is that just an easier way to retire it, in favor of the next version?

[Yazata]

An interesting detail is that Booster 14.2, the first reflown Superheavy booster, won't be attempting a second tower catch, but instead will be soft landing expendably in the Gulf of America.

Is that just an easier way to retire it, in favor of the next version?

I don't know.

Perhaps they want to see how a reflown booster performs before they risk a catch. That's my guess.

My understanding is that they will be using the original model boosters for several more flights. They have several all constructed and waiting in the vertical assembly bays.

The new model boosters aren't compatible with original Pad A, so they can't be flown until the new Pad B is completed. Then Pad A will be torn apart and reconstructed to Pad B specifications.

Besides the new booster tank design is still in structural testing, so the new boosters aren't quite ready for prime-time yet.

[Syne]

Ah, that would make sense.

[Yazata]

A big party on top of Megabay-2. Apparently, it's a SpaceX engineers' wedding.

In other news... Space Balls!

They are huge bags of water to create mass to load-test the Pad B "chopstick" tower arms.

Hence: Testicles!

(Photo by Starship Gazer)

[Image: GrLplZvXEAAlqCh?format=jpg&name=small]

(Photo by Carlos Nunez)

[Image: GrPXFAvWIAAB9VJ?format=jpg&name=medium]

[Yazata]

The city of Brownsville says

SpaceX’s Starship is expected to launch its Ninth Test Flight.
Here’s what you need to know:
Launch Window: Tuesday, May 27, Time: TBD
Sonic Booms: Possible in Brownsville, South Padre Island, and Port Isabel

https://x.com/BTxRGV/status/1924923183079014598

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The new Pad B launch mount.

The part depicted here is where the propellants feed into the booster quick disconnects for tanking/detanking, and where high pressure gasses are fed into an onboard manifold in order to spin up the turbopumps of the outer ring of 20 raptor engines. (The inner 13 engines, that have to relight in flight, are spun up by gas in high pressure bottles carried by the booster.) There's lots of electrical controls and valves in this part of the launch mount. There's speculation that it might be covered by steel armor when it's completed to protect it from the ascending rocket's exhaust plume.

(Photo by Starship Gazer)

[Image: GraGqN8W4AAofqh?format=jpg&name=small]

nsNS