Starsoon

Starship flip and landing burn at the end of its twelfth flight test

@RyanHansenSpace Definitely need SH reuse soon

STARSHIP FLIGHT 12 THOUGHTS: I've finally had a chance to put my thoughts together after a busy few days post launch. In my honest opinion, the objectives completed during Flight 12 were the absolute minimum needed for the debut of the V3 vehicles and new launch pad but will ultimately result in some delays for objectives this year. The ascent phase of this flight was very much like starting over with the first launch in terms of new hardware needing to be tested. Super Heavy performed very well only losing one engine before staging. I was realistically expecting B19 to experience a B9 style failure after hot staging due to the significant changes in vehicle design and the more aggressive planned boost back maneuver. On the plus side, this didn't happen and B19 was able to fall on a ballistic trajectory after the failed boost back and teams were able to get data on booster reentry and grid fin guidance. I was a bit shocked the FTS did not go off but I'm guessing SpaceX wanted data from on entry and atmospheric guidance and built a ballistic trajectory into the acceptance criteria. So Super Heavy ultimately performed better than I expected. However, the downside is that B19 was not able to accomplish the stretch goals of a successful boost back, landing burn, and successful splash down on target in the Gulf. To me, this is probably the most significant setback of the launch. It means that B20 has to be expended on the next flight in an effort to complete these objectives before a booster can be brought back for a catch at Starbase. This will impact the goals that SpaceX can accomplish this year since booster production is the limiting factor currently. If B20 is successful, then B21 may be the first V3 booster caught and it may be able to be reflown before the end of the year. Until a booster is caught, launch cadence will be directly tied to booster production. I will also add that B19 was built at a lightning pace compared to all other V3 boosters. It will be a bit before another booster is built that quickly again. Starship S39 sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions during ascent with one RVac shutting down and seeing the glowing in the engine bay. I was prepared for S39 to either lose multiple engines on ascent or experience attitude control issues due to the redesigned RCS system, both of which would cause a loss of vehicle on reentry. However, S39 was able to limp into a trajectory within mission bounds and continue with some of the coast objectives. Deploying all 22 mass simulators was a big win for the payload team and seeing the modified V2 Starlink satellites get imagery of the vehicle was really cool. Due to the trajectory the ship was on, the R3 in-space relight demo had to be cancelled but this was fairly insignificant to me. Proving that operation will be required for orbital missions but I think hardware failures on both vehicles need sorted out before that requirement becomes a necessity. Reentry went very well with very few tile experiments for once leading to a very clean heat shield upon splashdown. I am expecting at least 2 successful splashdowns in the Indian Ocean prior to getting the okay to return to Starbase for a catch attempt. Flight 12 may count as 1/2 but focus on Super Heavy may push out a ship catch. I also don't expect ships to be returned anywhere else before a catch attempt. This flight accomplished a lot for a new rocket as complex as Starship. Ultimately, B19 and S39 did what they needed to in order to prove out the viability of the V3 vehicles. I'm sure teams were wishing for a bit more but this is a good place to be. By comparison, this first flight of V3 is comparable to a mix of Flight 3 for Super Heavy and Flight 5/10 for Starship so SpaceX is already well ahead of the milestones set by the previous vehicles. I tend to fall a bit on the pessimistic side but I think we should expect a total of 4-5 Starship V3 flights this year with a significant ramp up after V3 Super Heavy reuse.

Starship V3 landing burn over the Indian Ocean

@_Testflight_ Ryan Caton commentary is annoying, actually ruins the moments before liftoff

Dude, the NSF stream went STREIGHT to advertising the shop like 5 milliseconds after SECO lmao And they had some random Astroforge guy doing an interview DURING PAYLOAD DEPLOY???

Views of Starship in space from a @Starlink satellite

Liftoff of Starship!

Starship V3 takes flight for the first time → spacex.com/launches/stars…

@timdemeijer @lewisknaggs42 Berkowitz did say 33, surely meant 13

@lewisknaggs42 Didn't they say 33 engine boostback?!

Booster shuts down to 5 engines for hot stage

@Mookafish It's not even orbital lol

This is what it's talking about btw. Not funded, and first conceived in 2005 so it's just not breaking news. Do people genuinely read articles from these publishers? 😭

Whatever, Google, never recommend me articles again

@RotemGolan22 They need the flame trench flooded for how much will be instantly vaporized

T-17 second the flame diverter activates. Really weird... If true it's a huge waste of water.... Any thoughts!!???

@jrxcket Where? Spain? Italy?

PLEASE A LAUNCH SITE IN EUROPE, I BEG YOU 😭😭😭

@StarCobShipSon Last time we will ever have to wait that long

Today is 212 days since Flight 11. The same length between flight 1 and 2.

@booster_10 French Guiana

I think I've asked this before but where do you think the first international Starship launch pad will be?

@IEnjoyStarshi First time I've seen SpaceX quote tweet someone

Why is this so aggressive😭😭

Full duration and full thrust 33-engine static fire with Super Heavy V3

@ThreeDeDaniel Why do you always bring this up

its interesting how some people in this community just casually post something, and get 1.5K likes. While 3D artists are posting something and only getting 200 likes or even less.. :) sounds like this community doesnt need 3D artists anymore :)

@HipernovaStar @xdNiBoR 10 billion per year roughly

@xdNiBoR Into how many billions in revenue does this translate?

Starlink has reached an estimated 12 million subscribers!! 🔥

@r3a9an_k_ @TrackingTheSB 5:30 CDT

@TrackingTheSB what time is being given there?

The FAA have released an Operations Advisory for Starship flight 12. The advisory indictates a NET date as soon as the 12th of May! fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt

@_StevenOBrien_ @gentrywalker_3D Correct., but that's the high bay which was demo'd

@gentrywalker_3D This is the one where they had to cut a hole in the roof of the megabay to fit the crane through, right?

you're a real one if you recognize this launch vehicle