SN10 Launch

[martin-w 3,235]

Quote

Sounds like Blue Origin decided to go straight for the big rocket, rather than work their way up, like SpaceX has done.

 

There was a video on YouTube, he toured the factory, and pretty much nothing going on. It was empty. 

 

 

Edited March 4, 2021 by martin-w

[martin-w 3,235]

The SpaceX footage, with multiple camera views etc. 

 

If you look closely it was on fire on the way down and it bounced on landing damaging the legs. So vertical speed to high.

 

 

Edited March 4, 2021 by martin-w

[stans 703]

Yep, looks like something, perhaps a seal on a propellant line, developed a leak. 

Is it just me, or does anyone else immediately think of the rocket ship in the 1950's Buck Rogers TV series when they see the SN10 rocket?

[martin-w 3,235]

3 hours ago, stans said:

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else immediately think of the rocket ship in the 1950's Buck Rogers TV series when they see the SN10 rocket?

 

Yep, Buck Rogers. 😁 Lands the same way too.

[HighBypass 2,339]

I was celebrating, watching live, and had noted the bounced landing, the lean and the fire at the base, then whilst I went to get a brew, BOOM. I missed it!  Saw it on rewind though!

Majestic sight - the belly flop, triple Raptor re-ignition and landing, not just the kabalmmo at the end 

[martin-w 3,235]

An update from Elon on why SN10 had issues.

"Engine was low on thrust due to partial ingestion of helium from header tank. Impact crushed legs and part of skirt. Multiple fixes in work for SN11"

[Christopher Low 5,354]

This "baby steps" progress with the SN test flights is arguably making the "Starship Saga" even more interesting. It is gripping stuff, and I think that half the world will be dancing and cheering when they finally complete a 100% successful test flight. Come on, SN11!

[martin-w 3,235]

1 hour ago, Christopher Low said:

This "baby steps" progress with the SN test flights is arguably making the "Starship Saga" even more interesting. It is gripping stuff, and I think that half the world will be dancing and cheering when they finally complete a 100% successful test flight. Come on, SN11!

 

 

Yep, true enough Chris, makes it even more fascinating.

Apparently SN10 was still traveling at 15 mph when it landed. So no wonder the leg was crushed. Quite impressive that something that big and heavy could be almost upright at that vertical speed.

There are new legs being designed as we speak, which will flip out and have auto levelling capability for uneven terrain on the Moon and Mars. 

Looks like SN11 will launch next week. After that I believe they jump right to SN15 which has significant upgrades. 

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by martin-w

[n4gix 4,947]

Nonetheless, I wouldn't trust my life on the SN#xxx until it had accumulated > 100 successful and accident free flights to orbit and back...

...maybe not even then. 

[martin-w 3,235]

56 minutes ago, n4gix said:

Nonetheless, I wouldn't trust my life on the SN#xxx until it had accumulated > 100 successful and accident free flights to orbit and back...

...maybe not even then. 

 

 

Yep, that's the plan Bill. Elon has said there must be 100's of cargo flights to orbit before he will allow humans onboard.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html

Edited March 11, 2021 by martin-w

[martin-w 3,235]

So... no helium in header tank for SN11.

The helium was to address the previous loss of pressure issue. So no idea what they will do instead.

SN11 will be critical, they really need to pull this landing off. Missing out 12, 13, 14 and jumping to a more advanced SN15 isn't a good idea if they can't pull of a landing.