BFR Developments

[Yazata]

[Image: Gy0cVEAXkAAx-2v?format=jpg&name=medium]

[Yazata]

Rumors are swirling that Flight 10 might have slipped to Monday August 25.

In the meantime here's a photo by Jack Beyer of the booster umbilicals (the thing on the left with the red protective caps, there's another one to the right) for the new version boosters that are currently under development, installed on the new cryo test stand at Masseys. The photo was taken by telephoto from a boat in the Rio Grande river! That's how close to the border this is.

[Image: Gy2R7N0WIAAKTLv?format=jpg&name=4096x4096]

[Yazata]

Booster B16 (the Flight 10 booster) just rolled to the launch area and is currently next to Pad 1

[Yazata]

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gd7L8wfLTyg

[Yazata]

Display windows at the SpaceX offices in Starbase (photo by Jack Beyer)

I believe they are a first generation Raptor 1 and a second generation Raptor 2. I'd like to see a sleek new Raptor 3 join them soon.

[Image: GyxMsfsW4AAz0bz?format=jpg&name=4096x4096]

And as expected, a Raptor 3 has joined the Starbase window display

[Image: GzAeNMSWwAA9UvL?format=jpg&name=large]

[Yazata]

Here's is Zack Golden's account of the ups (and downs and up-agains) of the needs, solutions and inevitable tradeoffs in the development of Starbase's ground testing campaign. It's very good (if perhaps most appropriate for more dedicated nerds). Zack is an engineer who brings unique insight. He's also a good guy whose videos are labors of love, so check it out.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/tzjuD62oywg

[Yazata]

The Flight 10 ship and booster were stacked today for tomorrow's flight

Photo by John Kraus

[Image: GzFfr_FWQAASJ1I?format=jpg&name=large]

Photo by Nathan Moeller

[Image: GzFr7L7WAAIN17w?format=jpg&name=medium]

[Yazata]

Launch window opens 6:30 PM CDT, 7:30 PM EDT, 4:30 PM PDT

The road is closed and the pad is clear. Countdown is progressing.

SpaceX broadcast will be here

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-10

I'm going to be bouncing around, but will mostly be watching Lab Padre and Zack Golden here

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MyYPGdH0j08

NSF here

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/C7WmlTp7ue0

Felix here

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/QFFysWdL4wI

Photo by Starship Gazer showing the tiled side. If you look closely, you will see several missing tiles. This is intentional for test purposes.

[Image: GzIha7HWMAA2Gqt?format=jpg&name=4096x4096]

[Yazata]

Some kind of difficulty with getting the tank farm spun up, the Red Team technicians are at the launch site to whack stuck valves or whatever.

Edit Seems to be straightened out and lox line chill is underway

Edit Launch has been pushed back 20 minutes to 6:50 PM CDT, 4:50 PM PDT. 7:50 EDT

Edit Go for propellant loading

Edit Standing down from today's launch due to tank farm issues

[C C]

[...] Edit Standing down from today's launch due to tank farm issues

Meh. First attempt always aborted by something. Almost as reliable as the sun rising in the East.