When is the Starship orbital launch?

[Huxter]

2nd attempt to launch tomorrow 4/20 @ 9:48 AM EST (double-checked ). Big chance for a scrub. Big chance for one of SpaceX's best RUD ever! I'm sure Elon wants to launch on 4/20!

Did they say why they're not gonna attempt to use Mechazilla to catch the booster? Why not Try? Maybe make sure it works first, Then try to catch it?

 

[Huxter]

Well, and like someone said, those vehicles are ancient technology - SpaceX may not want them back.

 

[Funkworks]

2nd attempt to launch tomorrow 4/20 @ 9:48 AM EST (double-checked ). Big chance for a scrub. Big chance for one of SpaceX's best RUD ever! I'm sure Elon wants to launch on 4/20!

Did they say why they're not gonna attempt to use Mechazilla to catch the booster? Why not Try? Maybe make sure it works first, Then try to catch it?

I'd guess they have to know how fast it can go when all the fuel is used. They need that data point. When they try a landing, they have to keep fuel in the tanks for the landing, so they'd never know the max speed.

 

[neil_w]

Did they say why they're not gonna attempt to use Mechazilla to catch the booster? Why not Try? Maybe make sure it works first, Then try to catch it?

The can't focus on everything at once. A major failure could destroy the launch pad.

 

[Lord Rory Gin]

The can't focus on everything at once. A major failure could destroy the launch pad.

Exactly. First flight is also a MAJOR test of the launch pad - Stage 0. Musk said that that if Stage 0 survives with minimal damage, that will be considered a mission success despite what the rocket flight incurs. They don't know what damage will happen to it and attempting to land on an untested launch pad is just plain suicidal which might result in additional damage. Same with the top stage landing in the water instead of being caught on the launch pad. Dropping both the booster (off Texas) and upper stage (off Hawaii) in shallow water for recovery later is a wise decision.

 

[Antares JS]

 

[Antares JS]

This suggests they are targeting 9:28 EDT, the opening of the launch window, for the launch.



Edit: SpaceX's stream has started, and the countdown clock indeed shows a T-0 of 0928 EDT.

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

 

[Marc_G]

We've passed T minus 10 min. Many body parts crossed.

 

[Marc_G]

Everyday astronaut feed appears to be 27 seconds ahead of SpaceX feed through their website

 

[Funkworks]

About T-7 minutes now.

https://www.youtube.com/live/eAl3gVvMNNM?feature=share

 

[Tractionengines]

1minute

 

[Tractionengines]

Hold at 40seconds...

Allowing extra time for "ready for flight checkouts". They can hold for up to 15 min.

Restart clock ready.

 

[Marc_G]

Looks like they will resume soon

 

[Marc_G]

Visually it looks like maybe one or two engines not fired but wow!

 

[Tractionengines]

5 engines shut down at 1 minute mark.

 

[Marc_G]

It blew up on stage sep

 

[Tractionengines]

Flight termination after failed separation.

 

[Lord Rory Gin]

 

[Funkworks]

Now THAT was entertaining!

 

[Tractionengines]

It blew up on stage sep

No. Failed to separate.

The "range, triggered flight termination system".

 

[FredA]

Lost a few engines on the way up...
Disappointing they didn't separate.

 

[Grog6]

Just watching the launch; not great, but didn't cato.

 

[Raythain]

Now THAT was entertaining!

To quote the SpaceX livestream: "We promised excitement"

 

[Marc_G]

Really good show. I'm sure they got so much data. Better luck next time.

 

[Funkworks]

EverydayAstronaut hosts were 5 miles away and got covered in sand from the launch! Laptops, coffee
(hardly visible from the streaming video, except for their laptops' black keyboard looking dusty)

Booster lost at least 6 engines.

 

[CoyoteNumber2]

 

[Tractionengines]

Talk about "SLOW LIFT-OFF". WOW...

It looked like it started the flip before it separated, then range control gave it time to get telemetry and system downloads, before they did terminate command.

It was definitely coning for a while after shutdown with only some engines still firing.

 

[Mushtang]

“I guess it hit the dome.” - Flat Earth videos later today probably

 

[roc_boy]

Impressive that the stack held together throughout the flipping until flight termination

 

[Antares JS]

Impressive that the stack held together throughout the flipping until flight termination

I was thinking the same thing.