SpaceX (general discussion)

Rubbing alcohol used for cleaning is probable cause for Merlin engine shutdown on March 18 launch.


https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/22/s...sed-by-cleaning-fluid-according-to-elon-musk/
Musk said the cause of the Merlin failure was a “mall amount of isopropyl alcohol (cleaning fluid) [that] was trapped in a sensor dead leg & ignited in flight.” ..................

Based on Musk’s explanation, it sounds like some was accidentally trapped in the sensor housing for a pressure valve in the Merlin’s fluid systems, and then it caught fire when the engine was ignited. That likely wasn’t enough to damage the engine, but told the sensor that heat levels were exceeding acceptable limits and caused a shutdown.
Click to expand...
 
Construction quality of their nosecones is advancing nicely. Still think there's a lot of people who coulda shown 'em a thing or two right at the start
 
Thanks for sharing!
Still fascinating to see different vehicles of SpaceX' inventory.

"Go Searcher" recovery ship visible on 1'20'' mark. Use slow speed to see it.
 
Details of landing legs crush-core shock absorbing feature:

F9-B1051-DM-1-Starlink-4-OCISLY-March-2019-Feb-2020-Richard-Angle-Teslarati-1-c.jpg


www.teslarati.com

SpaceX retracts latest rocket's landing legs in impressive feat of durability

A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster had all four of its landing legs successfully retracted after a flawless fourth launch and landing, highlighting the impressive margins and durability of the rocket’s upgraded Block 5 design. On April 22nd, Falcon 9 booster B1051 lifted off on its fourth orbital-class...
www.teslarati.com www.teslarati.com
 
It's official
NASA took Starship as Lunar Lander for Artemis program (together with Blue Origin/Lockheed and Dynetics)
While the others use New Glenn/ Vulcan - maybe Falcon Heavy for Dynetics
Will Starship fly on it own power to Moon (with a refuel)
means SLS loose more cargo to launch

https://twitter.com/x/status/1255907213568208896

At mean time at Boeing HQ...
giphy.gif
 
Starhopper for moment is equip with Cameras and loudspeakers
why loudspeakers ?
There two logical conclusion
one to Warn everyone nearby of engine Testing or liftoff
Second noise suppression with active noise control
en.wikipedia.org

Active noise control - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

EW5TdBgXkAEdq7F
 
Can someone read the logo on the speakers?
The camera also seem to be focused on a single point and equipped with removable lens filters, a trend seen on Multi-spectral analysis.
 
@KoV : Thank you. Definitively FBT (although I haven't yet identified the exact model as it appears on the front page of FBT USA) :

Home | FBT

www.fbtusa.com www.fbtusa.com

So this should be an automatic alert system that sense (leak ?) and generates a powerful sound (hence the electrical enclosure next to it).

They might use the elevated position to get an unobstructed point of view with clear background for the sensor).
 
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TomcatViP said:
@KoV : Thank you. Definitively FBT (although I haven't yet identified the exact model as it appears on the front page of FBT USA) :

Home | FBT

www.fbtusa.com www.fbtusa.com

So this should be an automatic alert system that sense (leak ?) and generates a powerful sound (hence the electrical enclosure next to it).

They might use the elevated position to get an unobstructed point of view with clear background for the sensor).
Click to expand...

Not FBT but Atlas Sound (from the relevant thread on NASA Spaceflight Forum)

Atlas Sound FS12T-BT60 12" 2-Way Multipurpose Nearfield Horn Loudspeaker System

The Atlas Sound FS12T-BT60 is a two-way, full-range multipurpose horn loudspeaker system with 60° conical beamwidth and a lightweight enclosure. It is designed to provide excellent voice and music reproduction in nearfield applications.
www.proacousticsusa.com www.proacousticsusa.com

(Or one of a bunch of Atlas Sound speakers that use the same housing). It's probably some sort of PA system.
 
On a more troubling note, that could end up impacting on SpaceX:
slashdot.org

Tesla's Stock Drops Billions After Elon Musk's Tweetstorm Friday - Slashdot

Friday Techcrunch reported Elon Musk tweeted to his 33.4 million followers that Tesla's stock price "was 'too high' in his opinion, immediately sending shares into a free fall and in possible violation of an agreement reached with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last year."...
slashdot.org
 
Looks like SN4 conducted a pre-burner test this morning. Hopefully we’ll get some kind of confirmation at some point.
 

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