When is the Starship orbital launch?

[Marc_G]

I believe Musky shuns YouTube. So SpaceX.com for official channel, Everyday Astronaut on YouTube for commentary. I will probably run a multiscreen operation until I have to do actual work.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

I kind of hate that the official feed is on X or space.com. I like to watch the feeds on my big screen tv, and the easiest way is the YouTube app. Everyday Astronaut is fun, because he expresses everything I’m feeling as I watch, but sometimes there are glitches at crucial moments. I’ll probably watch him and risk a glitch, but who else has a good, more reliable live feed with good camera angles and decent commentary?

EDIT: I guess I can have space.com going on my iPad in case of glitches with whatever stream goes on the big screen.

 

[cvanc]

Try NASASpaceflight on YouTube; they're generally good coverage.

https://www.youtube.com/@NASASpaceflight

 

[OverTheTop]

Exciting times! Go SpaceX

 

[CalebJ]

Targeting 730 central now.

 

[Art Upton]

Right, I will be watching YouTube. I thought that perhaps @Lord Rory Gin was referring to some particular channel.

Thanks for your response, @NTP2.

Yes he was, Space-X.com as he wrote:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-3

 

[NTP2]

I’m back at school today, so I won’t be able to watch live

 

[techrat]

About 30 minutes to go. Arrived at work early so I wouldn't be in the car when it happened. FYI, They are going to soft land the booster in the ocean and then presumably, sink it -- and the upper stage (starship), is going to belly-flop into the Indian Ocean where it will (also presumably) break up when it hits the water. So NOTHING is being recovered. I guess they just want sensor data and nothing else.

 

[CalebJ]

Now 802am CST.

 

[Marc_G]

Drat. I have a work meeting staring at at 9 ET.

 

[aerostadt]

Looks like it is on Space Flight Now:

https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/03/...t-of-its-starship-rocket-from-southern-texas/

 

[Marc_G]

8:25 Central time now

 

[BEC]

Spaceflight Now, What About It (Felix Schlang), Everyday Astronaut and Ellie in Space are all up and streaming. I'm currently on the WAI stream. With a T-0 of 8:25 central they are now 85 minutes into the 110 minute launch window. Felix is also reporting that he thinks propellant loading has begun. Current issue appears to be winds.

added: SpaceX has tweeted that propellant loads are underway for both the ship and the booster.

 

[cerving]

Drat. I have a work meeting staring at at 9 ET.

Bring your laptop... hit a few keys once in awhile so it makes you look like you're doing something important.

 

[Marc_G]

Bring your laptop... hit a few keys once in awhile so it makes you look like you're doing something important.

Hee hee. I work remotely but will be on camera and interactive during the meeting. I will have the launch up on another screen. But can't make my distraction obvious.

 

[lakeroadster]

So very cool... I always feel like a kid watching these launches.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

Cloud cover is not ideal for visibility, but it looks like it has cleared slightly.

 

[aerostadt]

Ground winds are marginal. Looks like there will be "hold" at T-40 seconds.

 

[CalebJ]

Looked like the booster relight for landing went a little sideways.

 

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Looked like the booster relight for landing went a little sideways.

Yeah nasty roll oscillation there.
Incredible views though! Right through the cloud layers.

 

[kuririn]

Looks like only one engine lit out of three for the landing burn, according to the graphic.
But the hot staging went much smoother this time.
Looking at the video of the Starship after shutdown it appears there is some serious venting going on.
Wonder if that is nominal?

 

[cvanc]

AWESOME.

Yeah it looked like the booster caught some strong sidewinds.

 

[roc_boy]

Appeared the booster fuel went to zero before the wheels came off...velocity higher than grid fin system designed to manage?

 

[rocket_troy]

Appeared the booster fuel went to zero before the wheels came off...velocity higher than grid fin system designed to manage?

Indeed. Maybe she used too much juice dealing with the wind?

TP

 

[darrenf]

Indeed. Maybe she used too much juice dealing with the wind?

TP

I think it was asymmetric thrust from the motors on the landing burn that threw the booster sideways at Mach 1.

 

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Appeared the booster fuel went to zero before the wheels came off...velocity higher than grid fin system designed to manage?

The grid fin rotation looked jerky, as if the pivot was binding.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

During the coast between the boost and reentry, their broadcast team left us with some premium 70’s easy-listening elevator music. Very relaxing. Wake me up before reentry.

 

[techrat]

Booster was a loss, but who cares? Starship made it to "orbit" and is in space!!!! WOOT!!!

 

[kuririn]

While we wait for reentry, here's some pics:
Ignition


Liftoff



33 burning



Hot staging-


Controlled ascent: check
Hot staging: check
Controlled booster descent: Partial check
Propellant transfer: check
Payload door: check

 

[Tractionengines]

The grid fin rotation looked jerky, as if the pivot was binding.

If it ran out of fuel and had asymmetric thrust, it was probably outside range the grid fins could deal with.. otherwise the PID Algorithm tuning probably needs adjustment air density where it went crazy.