SpaceX's Starship to fly again 'in 4 weeks,' Elon Musk says

[Admin]

SpaceX aims to launch the fifth test flight of its huge Starship rocket just four weeks from now, Elon Musk said.

SpaceX's Starship to fly again 'in 4 weeks,' Elon Musk says : Read more

 

[GgSs]

Recently I saw somewhere a mention of the "chopstick" launch tower arms be subject to oscillations when they are being closed together (I do not know, whether it's true or not). If it is true - could giving these arms a sort of curved extensions (so that on closing the arms these extensions would bump into each other and dampen the oscillations) be of use?

 

[Erny_Module]

I don't know why everyone who writes about space insists on using the word "Cadence". It's not the right word. The word you're looking for is 'rate', as in launch rate - the frequency of launches. Cadence refers to something measured and rhythmical, which launches are not - they do not occur in any sort of rhythm but more-or-less at random. I know it doesn't sound as clever, but it is a more accurate description.

Cadence | ˈkeɪdns | noun
• A modulation or inflection of the voice: his measured cadences never convey the character's underlying passion.
• a rhythmical effect in written text: the dry cadences of the essay.
• a fall in pitch of the voice at the end of a phrase or sentence.
• [mass noun] rhythm: the thumping cadence of the engines.

• A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase: the final cadences of the Prelude.

 

[Unclear Engineer]

There are lots of definitions for "cadence". For instance, look at the equestrian definition.

But, in the case of SpaceX working on reusable launch vehicles, there is some effort to having a quick schedule for reuse. A series of tasks is intended to be completed in a repetitive manner to be able to relaunch in a preplanned time interval. For instance, in the situations where multiple tankers are intended to be launched into LEO to refuel one StarShip for a mission beyond LEO, cadence becomes an appropriate term.

 

[Philly]

Catching/recovering the 1st stage SH is a major step forward. It allows for re-use of Stage 1 and saving all those Raptors for re-use. I just don't know if those small pegs are going to be large enough to work consistently. I could see maybe 3 pegs and a curved catch arm to allow for things like late wind gusts. I have also thought the Super Heavy could use a catcher's mitt kind of landing system. Something to guide the rocker into position while helping slow it down, too.

 

[Classical Motion]

Why not land it in a fresh water pool?

 

[ChrisA]

Catching/recovering the 1st stage SH is a major step forward. It allows for re-use of Stage 1 and saving all those Raptors for re-use. I just don't know if those small pegs are going to be large enough to work consistently. I could see maybe 3 pegs and a curved catch arm to allow for things like late wind gusts. I have also thought the Super Heavy could use a catcher's mitt kind of landing system. Something to guide the rocker into position while helping slow it down, too.

Maybe you forget what a returning booster is, a huge empty take filled with air, Yes there are 30+ motors on the botoom but to a first approximation SH, at this point, is just a metal tank filled with air.

Also, don't ypou thing they have already lifted the booster by those "small pegs" more then a few times. A few days ago we saw them testing the chopsticks by impacts a booster mockup much harder then needed, to see it this caused damage. I'd imagine they tested the structure using hydraulic presses too