Starship IFT3 - Thursday!

[martin-w 3,288]

Thursday it is, space cadets.

And they are trying some really fancy stuff this time. Really pushing the envelope.

Opening and closing payload door.

Propellent transfer during upper stage coast phase.

First ever relight of a Raptor while in space

Controlled reentry of starship.

 

 

 

 

[charliearon 3,084]

Oh, Boy!  More Badda-booms! 🚀

[martin-w 3,288]

Only a 20% chance according to Mr. Elon. 

[Christopher Low 5,425]

I want a 100% successful flight. Make it so, Mr Musk.

[martin-w 3,288]

4 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

I want a 100% successful flight. Make it so, Mr Musk.

 

Me too.

If it's not, it will be quite a big delay for Artemis and NASA will be getting in a panic. 

[martin-w 3,288]

 

[DD_Arthur 1,114]

On 3/10/2024 at 4:42 PM, charliearon said:

Oh, Boy!  More Badda-booms! 🚀

This one's a good 'un!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-68551401

[charliearon 3,084]

Guess I gotta get up a little earlier tomorrow to watch! 😴 💤

[Christopher Low 5,425]

6 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

This one's a good 'un!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-68551401

"The Tokyo start-up was racing to become Japan’s first private company to put a satellite into orbit"

I think that I have detected the source of the problem.

[DD_Arthur 1,114]

As launchpads go, it’s very scenic….or was very scenic 🤨

[martin-w 3,288]

Just over an hour to launch.

The official SpaceX coverage is on X.

 

 

Edited March 14 by martin-w

[martin-w 3,288]

Bit of a delay due to boats where they aren't supposed to be. 🙄

Edit: Propellant now loading.

Edited March 14 by martin-w

[charliearon 3,084]

22 minutes ago, martin-w said:

Bit of a delay due to boats where they aren't supposed to be. 🙄

Edit: Propellant now loading.

Another 2 hour delay....a fly landed on the nose of the rocket and the launch director is taking an extended Loo break!  Must have been something he ate! 🌯🌯

[martin-w 3,288]

8 minutes ago, charliearon said:

Another 2 hour delay....a fly landed on the nose of the rocket

 

That would impact the thrust to weight ratio. 🤔

[Luis Hernandez 605]

Well, looks like this time they did it. Starship is now in orbit (as far as I understand).

Although I thought SpaceX would bring the first stage the same way they did before, i.e., soft landing on ground.