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SpaceX Launches, Landings and News

Dogboy said:
really not sure why they are just getting away with a "sorry we were dumping space trash where it coulda hit somebody or something, we'll just litter the ocean instead"
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The situation, as I understand it, is that Dragon used to splashdown off the west coast. This allowed them to wait until late in the re-entry process to detach the trunk and ensure it crashed into the pacific (dropping junk into the ocean is standard practice in the space industry). However NASA wanted SpaceX to start landing off the coast of Florida with Commercial Crew and CRS Phase 2 since that let them get astronauts, and time sensitive cargo, back to Florida faster. This however meant the flight would pass over land and thus require detaching the trunk earlier so they weren't intentionally dropping it onto land.

Unfortunately this earlier separation meant where and when the trunk came down was far less predictable. Theoretically it still shouldn't have been a problem as the entire trunk is supposed to disintegrate on re-entry but as has been demonstrated over the last couple years that just isn't happening and bits are making it to the ground intact. Hence the return to the previous target location since while it does lengthen timelines, something SpaceX is going to try and minimize, it does guaranty a water disposal of any surviving debris.
 
I assume that it would allow them to keep the same just under orbital flight path so they can test ship recovery without needing to update their launch license.
 
Also Australia has been trying to find launch customers for their 'commercial spaceport' that so far has only done sounding rockets. Using this as a trail to ease the US into letting US companies do launches in Australia is defiantly something Australia will be thinking about. Not that they are expecting Starship to be a future launch customer.
 
Lots of things happening today.


View: https://x.com/edwards345/status/1823124347239923905

Tory Bruno: "Incorrect. The National Security block buy made 2 awards. 60% of the missions for the winner. 40% for second place. ULA, SX, NG, & Blue competed. NG & Blue lost. No award. ULA had the highest technical score AND the lowest price. We won 60%, SX won 40%."

Jon Edwards: "Incorrect. SpaceX received the higher technical score."
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The fight between Spacex and Tory Bruno (CEO of ULA) continues on Twitter/X, this time with the VP of Falcon Launch Vehicles correcting Bruno about who has the highest technical score to the government.


CNBC accused spacex of polluting Texas waters. Spacex responded to that:


View: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1823080774012481862

CNBC's story on Starship's launch operations in South Texas is factually inaccurate. Starship's water-cooled flame deflector system is critical equipment for SpaceX's launch operations. It ensures flight safety and protects the launch site and surrounding area.

Also known as the deluge system, it applies clean, potable (drinking) water to the engine exhaust during static fire tests and launches to absorb the heat and vibration from the rocket engines firing. Similar equipment has long been used at launch sites across the United States – such as Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations in Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California – and across the globe.

SpaceX worked with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) throughout the build and test of the water deluge system at Starbase to identify a permit approach. TCEQ personnel were onsite at Starbase to observe the initial tests of the system in July 2023, and TCEQ's website shows that SpaceX is covered by the Texas Multi-Sector General Permit.

When the EPA issued their Administrative Order in March 2024, it was done without an understanding of basic facts of the deluge system's operation or acknowledgement that we were operating under the Texas Multi-Sector General Permit.

After we explained our operation to the EPA, they revised their position and allowed us to continue operating, but required us to obtain an Individual Permit from TCEQ, which will also allow us to expand deluge operations to the second pad. We've been diligently working on the permit with TCEQ, which was submitted on July 1st, 2024. TCEQ is expected to issue the draft Individual Permit and Agreed Compliance Order this week.

Throughout our ongoing coordination with both TCEQ and the EPA, we have explicitly asked if operation of the deluge system needed to stop and we were informed that operations could continue.

TCEQ and the EPA have allowed continued operations because the deluge system has always complied with common conditions set by an Individual Permit, and causes no harm to the environment. Specifically:

- We only use potable (drinking) water in the system's operation. At no time during the operation of the deluge system is the potable water used in an industrial process, nor is the water exposed to industrial processes before or during operation of the system.
- The launch pad area is power-washed prior to activating the deluge system, with the power-washed water collected and hauled off.
- The vast majority of the water used in each operation is vaporized by the rocket's engines.
- We send samples of the soil, air, and water around the pad to an independent, accredited laboratory after every use of the deluge system, which have consistently shown negligible traces of any contaminants. Importantly, while CNBC's story claims there are "very large exceedances of the mercury" as part of the wastewater discharged at the site, all samples to-date have in fact shown either no detectable levels of mercury whatsoever or found in very few cases levels significantly below the limit the EPA maintains for drinking water.
- Retention ponds capture excess water and are specially lined to prevent any mixing with local groundwater. Any water captured in these ponds, including water from rainfall events, is pumped out and hauled off.
- Finally, some water does leave the area of the pad, mostly from water released prior to ignition and after engine shutdown or launch. To give you an idea of how much: a single use of the deluge system results in potable water equivalent to a rainfall of 0.004 inches across the area outside the pad which currently averages around 27 inches of rain per year.

With Starship, we're revolutionizing humanity's ability to access space with a fully reusable rocket that plays an integral role in multiple national priorities, including returning humans to the surface of the Moon. SpaceX and its thousands of employees work tirelessly to ensure the United States remains the world's leader in space, and we remain committed to working with our local and federal partners to be good stewards of the environment.
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Spacex announced that they are gonna send some people that i never heard about on a mission over the south pole because they are paying i guess. (I'm not against i'm just surprised.) The chinese dude (Chun Wang) apparently run some bitcoin mining on Russia and was accused of being a russian spy. This is gonna be really interesting


View: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1823085132234039706

Fram2 will become the first human spaceflight mission to fly over and explore the Earth's polar regions from orbit. Learn more about the
@framonauts mission here → SpaceX
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But i do find really interesting that this is the first crew who will fly over the south pole and Chun Wang promised to take a lot of pictures of it (spacex will install the copula so they can see and obviously the capsule will be full of cameras). Everybody's ready for the first pictures of the wall of ice that the flat earthers have been telling us about?

Edit: Added quotes.
 
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Love SpaceX keeps saying the water isn't used in an industrial process as if a giant rocket engine blasting ignition fluid and multiple tons of material per second per engine don't count as industrial processes.

SpaceX said in its response on X that there were "no detectable levels of mercury" found in its samples. But SpaceX wrote in its permit application that its mercury concentration at one outfall location was 113 micrograms per liter. Water quality criteria in the state calls for levels no higher than 2.1 micrograms per liter for acute aquatic toxicity and much lower levels for human health.
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I think I will trust SpaceX in legally actionable writing more then I will trust them in a random twitter post.
 
Tasrill said:
I think I will trust SpaceX in legally actionable writing more then I will trust them in a random twitter post.
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In the interest of truth, it looks like the report (PDF warning) that CNBC is working off has been misplacing decimals everywhere.

The report analysis, which states SpaceX having 113 ug/L (micrograms per liter) in the water is on page 79. However, the actual data attached on page 259 states the Mercury reading as 0.113 ug/L.

There's another part of the analysis which states SpaceX having 139 ug/L of Mecury, which is then contradicted on page 240 where the actual data states 0.139 ug/L.

There's a whole bunch of these misplaced digits/conversions done wrong in the analysis. There's actually two tables that are supposed to have the same values randomly have different decimals for no reason!


Page 79, "Table 2 for Outfall No.: 001"
Page 98, "Table 16 for Outfall No.: 001

Just these two tables have four separate decimal point errors! The mercury numbers are in there! CNBC's own source is untrustworthy. And if the 0.113 ug/L number is correct, then that is below the 2.1 ug/L requirement.

Someone needs to audit the entire report, and the sample takers too. And whoever is doing the scientific advising for CNBC is doing a terrible job at due diligence reading data.
 
Whoever wrote this has also never heard of significant figures or, generously, remembered hearing about them once in middle school and then only vaguely thought about them. If sample 1 is 3 sig figs then sample 2 certainly shouldn't be 7. Anything that reads as 0 is stuck at 1 sig fig. I don't even know what 2/10 or 0.005/0.0005 (wtf) are supposed to mean since most of the MAL column is just a single number. Are they all fractions and they just reduced them for all except 2 entries? I'll be generous and assume that this must conform to some standard template and so the fact that sample 3 and 4 don't appear is just a quirk of formatting. Just a mess all around.
 
The NRAO (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) recently announced that thanks to a joint collaboration with SpaceX most residents in the National Radio Quiet Zone will be able to receive Starlink service:

public.nrao.edu

Astronomers, Satellite Internet Provider Develop New System to Share the Sky - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Astronomers learn about the universe by pointing their telescopes to the sky. But what happens when a satellite comes between them and the cosmological objects they hope to study? New cooperative work between the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO)...
public.nrao.edu public.nrao.edu
Article:
For the majority of residents in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), a special zone where radio wavelengths are carefully managed to prevent interference to the NSF Green Bank Observatory and other nearby federal facilities, SpaceX will soon be able to safely provide either fixed or roaming/mobile Starlink access through a new process called Telescope Boresight Avoidance. The NRQZ regulations call for coordination of all fixed licensed transmitters, especially those nearby radio telescopes, which includes the SpaceX fixed user terminals. However, through the NSF and SpaceX collaboration, Starlink will now be able to provide satellite internet to nearly all residents without causing significant interference to observations.

Telescope Boresight Avoidance, a new coexistence method between the telescopes and the satellites, is one of two major developments in this collaboration which will allow the satellites to provide high speed internet connectivity near radio telescopes while protecting important scientific research. This method is made possible by an autonomous framework called the Operational Data Sharing (ODS) system developed by the NRAO that allows for communication between the telescopes and the satellite network.

ODS autonomously informs the Starlink satellites about the current observations of the NSF NRAO telescopes, including pointing direction, frequency of observation, and bandwidth. The satellites read this information in real time and ensure that their downlinks (particularly from satellites close in the region of the sky where the telescopes are pointing) do not emit signals strong enough to disrupt observations. De Pree adds, "While we are still testing the system, this is a major achievement, and a clear example of the benefits of regular communication and experimentation involving active and passive users of the radio spectrum."


SpaceX Starlink statements:


View: https://x.com/Starlink/status/1822026233938686422
The Starlink team and @TheNRAO worked together to enable Starlink satellites to avoid transmissions into the line-of-sight of radio telescopes, leveraging our advanced phased array antenna technology to dynamically steer beams away from telescopes → Starlink | Updates

www.starlink.com

Starlink | Updates

For step by step information on how to enable effective, open conjunction coordination, visit our Satellite Operator page.
www.starlink.com www.starlink.com

And arXiv paper:


Good news for the residents of the region, who otherwise have limited wireless connectivity, and also a good sign for the future of radio astronomy in an era of megaconstellations.
 
mistakenot said:
The NRAO (National Radio Astronomy Observatory) recently announced that thanks to a joint collaboration with SpaceX most residents in the National Radio Quiet Zone will be able to receive Starlink service:

Good news for the residents of the region, who otherwise have limited wireless connectivity, and also a good sign for the future of radio astronomy in an era of megaconstellations.
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Why not provide fiber broadband to these residents? Oh wait, a location in a Radio Quiet Zone is usually a wilderness in all but name, almost nobody will be willing to dig and lay cables unless it's the government.

EDIT: While there are cities in the area, if you aren't living in a city in the Quiet Zone, the lack of willing cable or fiber optic providers is definitely an issue.
 
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kattagarian said:
Didn't the american government have assigned billions of dollars just for the task of laying optic cables in rural areas last year or so?
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Well, yes.
That is why I now have a 500 mbps up and down fiber connection instead of satellite internet.

I'm not sure how many other places are actually putting it in, but I've heard the rural internet I now get from my electric company can be better than what people in town have, and they are still expanding coverage.
 
kattagarian said:
Didn't the american government have assigned billions of dollars just for the task of laying optic cables in rural areas last year or so?
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I assume they decided the National Radio Quiet Zone would cost too much to properly shield cabling and access to the people living there. If the observatory there polices wifi emitters, gasoline spark plugs, and microwave ovens, it's possible that the internet wouldn't even be all that useful if it's only ever hardwired.
 
Spacex lost one of their boosters during the landing


View: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1828705304177234126

After a successful ascent, Falcon 9's first stage booster tipped over following touchdown on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship. Teams are assessing the booster's flight data and status. This was the booster's 23rd launch.
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Video of the booster's demise


View: https://x.com/QuantumOMalley/status/1828731134685155675

here's the video

View: https://imgur.com/a/cWslk2q
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This means that falcon 9 is grounded until the FAA finds the "whys" in their mishap investigation


View: https://x.com/BCCarCounters/status/1828838708751282586

Regarding todays landing failure of the SpaceX Booster B1062, NSF reached out if this would result in a mishap investigation.
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So no Polaris Dawn until they complete the investigation.
 
kattagarian said:
So no Polaris Dawn until they complete the investigation.
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That doesn't make sense though. Failing to land the booster doesn't affect the ability to put things in orbit.

Anyway, looks like the booster either landed too hard and broke a leg, or maybe the leg was weaker than it should be due to unseen damage from previous landings.
 
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There is no rule of physics that says engine failures on a booster landing have to have no connection to engine failures during a launch. If the investigation finds it isn't engine related (or is engine relight related) then it won't do much to delay anything as there would be no reason to put a hold on launches.
 
kattagarian said:
So no Polaris Dawn until they complete the investigation.
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According to Jeff Foust from SpaceNews, the FAA says SpaceX can resume flying the Falcon 9:


View: https://x.com/jeff_foust/status/1829646897960599671
Just in from the FAA: "The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30."

So it looks like Polaris Dawn is back on.

(Credit to @Doggydog on SB for the news.)
 
Yes, the launches have resumed.
spacenews.com

SpaceX resumes Falcon 9 launches after brief FAA grounding

SpaceX resumed launches of its Falcon 9 rocket early Aug. 31 after the Federal Aviation Administration ended a brief grounding of the vehicle.
spacenews.com spacenews.com
One Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 3:43 a.m. Eastern, placing 21 Starlink satellites into orbit. It was followed at 4:48 a.m. Eastern by another Falcon 9 lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Space Launch Complex 4E, also delivering 21 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. The 65 minutes between launches is the shortest interval yet between Falcon 9 launches.
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Also...
www.wmur.com

New launch date for SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission set for Wednesday, Sept. 4

A new launch date for SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission is set after crews were delayed several times due to system checks, a helium leak, and most recently, unfavorable weather.
www.wmur.com www.wmur.com
SpaceX filed a new launch schedule with the Federal Aviation Administration, with the first window opening at 3:38 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
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Polaris Dawn launch currently scheduled for , about one hour and fifteen minutes from now.

(EDIT: now targeting second launch window, starting at )

en.wikipedia.org

Polaris Dawn - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Article:
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, September 10 at 3:38 a.m. ET for Falcon 9's launch of Polaris Dawn to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There are two additional launch opportunities within the four-hour window at 5:23 a.m. ET and 7:09 a.m. ET. If needed, backup opportunities are available on Wednesday, September 11 at the same times.

[ . . . ]

MISSION OBJECTIVES

During their multi-day mission to orbit, Dragon and the crew will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program and participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits. They will also conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

The Polaris Dawn crew will combine their expertise, knowledge, and passion for spaceflight to further human space exploration. This will be the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This will also be the first time two SpaceX employees will be part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.


View: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1833358277805039800
Watch live as Falcon 9 launches the @PolarisProgram's Polaris Dawn crew on a multi-day mission orbiting Earth

Everyday Astronaut will also be streaming, starting in about 20 minutes:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWOYQ5Dto7c
 
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And we have liftoff!


View: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1833436360348143951
Liftoff of Polaris Dawn!


Article:
The flight is designed to carry the four crew members to the highest orbital altitude that humans have reached since the final Apollo moon mission in 1972: 870 miles above Earth's surface. That's more than three times higher than the International Space Station. While in space, the group will test new spacesuits and technologies that could pave the way for future long-duration missions to the moon and eventually Mars.

[ . . . ]

If successful, the outing will make history. Previously, only astronauts from government space agencies have ventured into the vacuum of space to build or upgrade space stations in orbit, repair satellites and conduct scientific experiments.

During its journey, the Crew Dragon capsule's orbit will be distant enough for the spacecraft to pass through the inner regions of the Van Allen radiation belt, a zone of high-energy radiation particles trapped by Earth's magnetosphere.

The mission will allow scientists to study the effects of space radiation on the astronauts and the vehicle. The findings could help SpaceX plan future missions to the moon and Mars, which would require astronauts to fly through the inner and outer Van Allen radiation belts.


Another successful launch and successful booster landing for Falcon 9.

Hopefully the rest of the mission goes smoothly as well. Good luck to the SpaceX team and Polaris Dawn crew!
 
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