Space Archive
Archives for April 2023
Richard Lawler
HOLD.
No word on why or for how long, but the Starship launch isn’t happening just yet. The flight director announced a hold, which SpaceX’s broadcast previously noted could occur for up to 15 minutes or so; we’ll update once we have more details.
Image: SpaceX
Richard Lawler
Just a few minutes left.
The countdown continues to tick away, and we haven’t heard of any issues that will stop today’s Starship flight test.
On the livestream, the commentators note there is an ability to hold at 40 seconds left, so stay tuned.
Image: SpaceX (YouTube)
Richard Lawler
T-10.
No word on any wayward boats or aircraft, and SpaceX seems to think they’ve got the valve issue that scrubbed Monday’s attempt figured out, so we may see the Starship test launch attempt today.
Richard Lawler
Engine chill.
If you’re watching the NASA Spaceflight stream, you’ll see even more exhaust coming from the spacecraft, as its Raptor engines are chilled in preparation for launch.
Richard Lawler
Something else to consider.
Elon Musk and SpaceX’s rocket launch plans for the “Starbase” at Boca Chica, TX, have had opposition for quite a while. Still, in light of today’s Starship flight test attempt and the recent FAA license issued, some folks have revisited the possible environmental impact.
Freelance journalist Pablo De La Rosa notes local opposition to the launch, while on Substack, ESG Hound goes into issues with noise and the overall design of the launch site.
ESG Hound:
I still am in shock that a rocket system, the largest in history, will be fired off, from an inadequate facility, in the middle of an endangered species habitat, by a company that revels in the beautiful failure of explosions with seemingly no guardrails and no respect for the real danger this operation presents to the public.
SpaceX's Texas Rocket is Going To Cause A Lot More Damage Than Anyone Thinks
[blog.esghound.com]
Richard Lawler
Status update.
As noted by the NASA Spaceflight folks, SpaceX continues to check off items on the pre-launch list, now fueling the Starship prototype itself.
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s official livestream has kicked off with a bit of music before the commentators hop into the stream.
Richard Lawler
While you’re here, have you visited Rocketland?
With an hour-plus to go until the Starship launch window opens at 9:28AM ET, you still have time to check out our story and video about the SpaceX superfans who literally moved just to follow the company’s developments in Texas and who have been waiting for (what might happen) today as eagerly as anyone.
It’s 20 minutes long; you’ll still be able to see a rocket spewing smoke on the launchpad when it’s done.
Richard Lawler
And Mission Control audio.
Another alternative to the main video feed for the Starship test launch is SpaceX’s own Mission Control Audio stream. For official communications, first, this is the one you want, however, it comes without visuals and, as the caption mentions, “There may be very long periods of silence.”
Richard Lawler
Another Starship launch attempt live feed.
If you can’t wait for SpaceX’s official Starship launch attempt live attempt livestream to begin at 8:45AM ET, or you just want an alternate angle on the action, NASA Spaceflight is, as usual, streaming from cameras trained on the launch tower in Texas with commentary of space enthusiasts providing additional context about everything going on.
Richard Lawler
Good morning Boca Chica.
So far, so good — the two-hour countdown to a possible Starship launch attempt has begun, however, today the weather is a concern as we near the start of the launch window at 9:28AM ET.
Richard Lawler
SpaceX’s next Starship launch attempt could happen on Thursday.
According to the Starship flight test mission page, the launch window it’s targeting is from 8:28AM CT (9:28AM ET) to 9:30 AM CT (10:30AM ET).
Yes, that’s 4/20, and no, it’s not a 69-minute window; it’s 62.
You can keep an eye on our stream of updates for any more details as they arrive.