SpaceX News

[WLJ]

Apparently more flaming hoops to jump through

Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Confirmations of the FWS in a statement to @NASASpaceflight
 :

- The FWS is considering the operation of a water deluge system in Starbase and its environmental effects.

- The FWS has up to 135 days to submit the final biological opinion to the FAA (Started in August).

https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1703873172997550381

[WLJ]

Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
LAUNCH! Rocket Lab Electron launches mission 41 - a launch for Capella Space - from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Overview:
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/launch-roundup-091823/


Rocket Lab Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AfYFqs

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1704026672993894750

But
Camera cut out at 2nd stage ignition. May have gone BOOM!

Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
FAILURE. Staged, but the second stage appeared to have an issue at ignition. Anomaly has been called.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1704027512756437279

[AZRedhawk44]

Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Confirmations of the FWS in a statement to @NASASpaceflight
 :

- The FWS is considering the operation of a water deluge system in Starbase and its environmental effects.

- The FWS has up to 135 days to submit the final biological opinion to the FAA (Started in August).

This teases my cynical humor bone.

Anything within several hundred yards of the rocket is going to be permanently deaf after a launch as a best case scenario, and possibly pulverized by the sound wave as a worst case scenario.  Complaining about the use of a freshwater deluge system, which will minimally desalinate by a small percentage the immediate area around the launch mount, is ludicrous.

The water will have no impact on the environment that isn't already impacted by the blast and noise.

But... anything to drag this on for another 4 months!  Sheesh.

[WLJ]

Scoot Manley (very) short look at Rocket Lab's failure.
Sparks shooting out above the engine bell.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/07bs3cT6tYY?feature=share

[WLJ]

May want to keep an eye on these guys. Stoke Space
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1703573267838038157

Company website
https://www.stokespace.com/

 Stoke Space flies reusable upper stage prototype
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-flies-reusable-upper-stage-prototype/

Looks similar to a prototype that flew in the 1990's.  At least I think it was a 1/3 scale prototype then.

Scott Manley with more info

One engine, 30 nozzles, integrated in a heat shield

Rocket Scientist Combine A Rocket Engine With A Heat Shield - Can They Revolutionize Space Launch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V6lfs7xFJM

[WLJ]

Removing the Hot Staging Ring (HSR) on B9 on the live feed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

[WLJ]

Not sure if this means there's an issue or they're just taking the time to do some more fiddling while they're waiting on a launch license

[WLJ]

Appears the Chinese had a failure of their own. No details of course.

https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/ceres-1-jilin-1-high-resolution-04b/

[WLJ]

Appears the Chinese had a failure of their own. No details of course.

https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/ceres-1-jilin-1-high-resolution-04b/

More

Cosmic Penguin
@Cosmic_Penguin
This allegedly is from yesterday’s failed Ceres-1 launch; looks like the failure came early during 1st stage flight. Something definitely blew and then either FTS reacted, or it simply disintegrates.

Rumors has that the sat has up to 0.3 m resolution…

https://bilibili.com/video/BV1qC4y1

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1705112658310300013

[WLJ]

Marcus House with his weekly update

Of note is the current estimate of the cost of new RS-25 engines (SLS), upwards of $100 million a pop and one use only in the case of the SLS.
Meanwhile SpaceX's Raptor, which is reusable, cost is estimate to be in the neighborhood of $1 million each.
Let that sink in for a moment. 

Does the Starship Flight Test Hang in the Balance?, The Amazing Stoke Space Hop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981Ml2JdvGY

[WLJ]

Watching a live feed of the Osiris-REx sample return and getting the impression from the coverage this is a 99% woman run project. Many look like they weren't even born yet when the project started.

[WLJ]

Touchdown.

[Jim147]

With the booster landing today Space X now has two with 17 launch's on them.

[WLJ]

HSR going back on as I type

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg

[WLJ]

Stacking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qe1yOyZyX8

[WLJ]

In BO news the FAA has  closed it investigation into New Shepard mishap

Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
FAA Statement on closure to the New Shepard mishap investigation:

"The FAA has closed the Blue Origin New Shepard 23 mishap investigation. The final report cites the proximate cause of the Sept. 12, 2022, mishap as the structural failure of an engine nozzle caused by higher-than-expected engine operating temperatures. The FAA required Blue Origin implement 21 corrective actions to prevent mishap reoccurrence, including redesign of engine and nozzle components to improve structural performance during operation as well as organizational changes.

During the mishap the onboard launch vehicle systems detected the anomaly, triggered an abort and separation of the capsule from the propulsion module as intended and shut down the engine.  The capsule landed safety and the propulsion module was destroyed upon impact with the ground. All debris landed within the designated hazard area. Public safety was maintained at all times with  no injuries or public property damage."

Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Addition notes on the FAA e-mail:

The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of New Shepard launches. Blue Origin must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next New Shepard launch.

Background:

The  FAA oversaw the Blue Origin-led investigation to ensure the company complied with its FAA-approved mishap plan, the terms and conditions of its license and other regulatory requirements.

The  FAA was involved in every step of the mishap investigation and granted  NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board official observer status.

The mishap investigation report contains proprietary data and U.S Export Control information and is not available for public release.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1707140096657408032

[AZRedhawk44]

BO has also recently got rid of their CEO Bob Smith, in favor of Dave Limp.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/25/blue-origin-ceo-bob-smith-out-replaced-by-outgoing-amazon-exec-dave-limp.html