SpaceX Starship Version 3 Passes First Big Cryogenic Test; Starbase Expansion, Artemis II Delays, and Orbital Data Centers

Marcus House

Starship Version 3 (Booster 19) Cryogenic Testing [0:00]

• Positive Testing Progress [0:39]
  • Booster 19, SpaceX's first third-generation Super Heavy, began initial testing. [0:46] (Image 2)
  • Unlike previous versions, no structural failures occurred during initial cryo tests.
• Movement to Massey's Test Site [0:55]
  • Booster 19, equipped with a thrust simulator, was rolled into Mega Bay 1.
  • It was then temporarily stored in the ring yard before being moved to Massey's test site for pre-flight testing.
  • New quick-disconnect ports were observed on the Version 3 aft section. [1:13] (Image 10)
• Initial Cryogenic Testing [2:48]
  • Internal view of Super Heavy booster tanks showing methane and oxygen sections. [3:03] (Image 30)
  • Booster 19 successfully pulsed its methane tank vents. [3:07] (Image 31)
  • The liquid oxygen tank was filled to approximately five rings in height.
  • A subsequent test filled the liquid oxygen tank to the top and potentially part of the common dome.
• Full Cryogenic Load Test [3:56]
  • A complete and successful full cryogenic test was performed, filling both liquid oxygen and methane tanks. [3:40] (Image 33)

Starbase Site Expansion and Infrastructure Upgrades [7:13]

• Pad 1 Upgrades [8:41]
  • An aerial overview of Starbase showing the extent of current expansion. [7:18] (Image 60)
  • A diagram illustrating the detailed layout of Starbase expansion plans. [8:40] (Image 67)
  • A large concrete and steel-reinforced pile cap has been laid and poured, visible as a concrete pad for the new tank farm at Pad 1. [8:48] (Image 71)
  • The cap has embeds for four tanks, with two already installed and visible. [8:52] (Image 72)
• Air Separation Unit (ASU) Installation [9:05]
  • An aerial view showing the various components of the Air Separation Unit (ASU). [9:15] (Image 74)
  • A massive new "cold box" component for the ASU was delivered and lifted into place. [9:20] (Image 75)
  • This unit, approximately 48 meters (157 feet) tall and weighing 272 tons, separates collected atmospheric gases into liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen for storage.
  • A diagram illustrating the distillation process of the ASU to produce liquid oxygen and nitrogen. [9:28] (Image 77)
  • Argon is also extracted as a byproduct, useful for welding and Starlink thrusters.

NASA Plans Lunar Nuclear Reactor and SpaceX Orbital Data Centers [9:54]

• NASA's Lunar Fission Reactor Plan [10:07]
  • NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officially plan to deploy a nuclear fission reactor on the Moon by 2030.
  • An official document outlining the memorandum of understanding for Fission Surface Power between NASA and DOE. [10:14] (Image 81)
  • This initiative is crucial for long-term lunar bases, habitats, and science labs, as it provides continuous power regardless of sunlight, as depicted in an artistic rendering of lunar habitats. [10:29] (Image 82)
  • A rendering of a lunar fission reactor installation on the Moon. [10:59] (Image 147)
• SpaceX's XAI Acquisition and Orbital Data Centers [12:11]
  • SpaceX officially acquired XAI, Elon Musk's AI company, for space-based AI, direct-to-mobile communications, and a real-time information and free speech platform. [12:12] (Image 5)
  • The acquisition was highlighted with an image of Starlink satellites deploying, emphasizing the integration of XAI with SpaceX's space infrastructure. [12:12] (Image 6)
  • SpaceX proposes launching a constellation of up to one million satellites, operating as orbital data centers, to power advanced AI models.
  • These satellites would orbit between 500 km and 2,000 km, harnessing constant solar power with low operating costs, transforming cost and energy efficiency.
  • A visualization of the existing Starlink constellation in orbit. [12:19] (Image 106)
  • A close-up view of Starlink satellites, highlighting their design for massive constellations. [13:28] (Image 119)
  • A document outlining SpaceX's request to launch "a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers." [13:46] (Image 121)
  • The ambition aims for launches every hour, carrying 200 tons per flight, totaling millions of tons to orbit yearly, contributing to a "Kardashev II-level civilization."

Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Issues [16:12]

• Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) Initiation [16:20]
  • The critical WDR for Artemis II's Space Launch System (SLS) began, with a detailed countdown checklist displayed. [16:13] (Image 154)
  • The Artemis II SLS on the launchpad at night, illuminated, with text confirming WDR preparations. [16:20] (Image 156)
  • A daytime view of the Artemis II SLS during the wet dress rehearsal. [16:20] (Image 158)
  • Nitrogen gas was pumped into the SLS and Orion spacecraft to mitigate fire hazards during fueling.
• Liquid Hydrogen Leak and Hatch Problems [17:14]
  • A liquid hydrogen leak was discovered at the core stage tail service mast umbilical, exceeding allowable limits, causing a halt in fueling. This was detailed in a graphic showing fuel levels and a "liquid hydrogen flow stopped" status. [16:34] (Image 159)
  • A close-up image of the SLS core stage tail service mast umbilical connection. [16:53] (Image 164)
  • The Orion spacecraft experienced delays due to an issue with its hatch pressurization system. [17:15] (Image 170)
  • Troubleshooting efforts involved stopping the liquid hydrogen flow, warming the interface seals, and adjusting propellant flow.
• WDR Termination and Schedule Impact [18:24]
  • The ground launch sequencer automatically stopped the process at T-5 minutes due to a spike in the liquid hydrogen leak rate.
  • The WDR was terminated, and the earliest possible launch opportunity for Artemis II has been pushed to March, and potentially early April, due to lunar cycle requirements. [18:24] (Image 177)
  • An Artemis II launch window calendar displaying the new target dates. [18:31] (Image 179)

Falcon 9 Starlink Mission and Crew Access Arm Removal [19:21]

• Starlink Group 17-32 Mission [19:21]
  • Falcon 9 launching for the Starlink Group 17-32 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. [19:21] (Image 183)
  • Booster 1071 completed its 31st flight, just one shy of the record for booster reusability.
  • The Falcon 9 booster successfully landing back on the drone ship after launch. [19:39] (Image 188)
  • The second stage experienced an "off-nominal condition" during deorbit burn preparation but successfully passivated, with all 25 Starlink satellites deployed to their intended orbit. [19:57] (Image 190)
  • Starlink satellites deploying from the Falcon 9 second stage. [20:18] (Image 193)
  • The FAA completed its investigation and authorized Falcon 9 to return to flight.
• Crew Access Arm Changes at SLC-39A [21:25]
  • A crane was seen lowering the crew access arm at Launch Complex 39A. [21:25] (Image 195)
  • A view of a Falcon 9 with the crew access arm extended, illustrating its previous function. [21:25] (Image 201)
  • SpaceX plans to prioritize Falcon Heavy and Starship launches from SLC-39A, meaning future Crew Dragon missions will likely be limited to SLC-40.

VAST Haven Demo and NASA IMAP Mission Updates [22:16]

• VAST Haven Demo Mission [22:37]
  • VAST life support and acoustic mitigation testing facilities. [22:29] (Image 213)
  • The Haven Demo spacecraft successfully performed its initial perigee-lowering maneuver in orbit. [22:37] (Image 216)
  • Telemetry data from the Haven Demo spacecraft showing the perigee lowering maneuver. [22:47] (Image 217)
  • Thrusters fired for about 14 minutes, lowering the perigee by approximately 170 km to just under 340 km.
  • A detailed diagram of the Haven Demo spacecraft components. [23:02] (Image 221)
  • Full-scale life support and acoustic mitigation testing for the small space station are ongoing.
• NASA IMAP Spacecraft Science Operations [23:28]
  • NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission began its two-year science mission.
  • The Sun with solar flares, illustrating the space weather events IMAP will study. [23:36] (Image 136)
  • An animation of the IMAP spacecraft depicting its mission scope to explore and map the boundaries of the heliosphere. [23:58] (Image 226)
  • IMAP will explore and map the boundaries of the heliosphere, studying charged particles from the sun, solar wind, interstellar space, and dust from exploded stars.
  • The mission provides near real-time observations and data (I-ALERT Data) of space weather events, allowing for advanced warnings for potential dangers. [24:18] (Image 231)