This video is sponsored by Novium. Creating innovative Hoverpens inspired
by space to stimulate curiosity. Back in action! Starship 29 test campaign
is already coming to an end! What now? How will SpaceX solve the
issues from flight three? The end of the Delta Rockets is here! And an unexpected duo is
working on a brand new rocket. My name is Felix. Welcome to What About It!? Let’s dive right in! Starship Updates The fourth flight of Starship
is coming! SpaceX’s engineers are ticking off th
e remaining boxes, and
the pace seems to be only accelerating! But can they solve the issues of flight three? How
will they do that? Want to find out? Follow me! The ground at the Gateway To
Mars has once again rumbled! While it wasn't a launch that
shook the facility this time, it was still crucial to Starship’s success!
Just two weeks have passed since the launch of the third Starship - which showcased that
this crazy design may actually work - and now, another Ship has made its way to th
e launch site.
This time, it's Ship 29, which is extremely similar to its predecessor!
Based on the announced road closures, we were gearing up for a static fire test of this
prototype, potentially as soon as March 25th. And indeed, the day turned
out to be quite eventful! It kicked off with the usual—the Sheriff closing
off part of Highway 4 for safety measures. Soon after, the suborbital tank farm sprung into
action, and the prototype's tanks began to fill with liquid oxygen and liquid met
hane.
Given that a static fire is a brief test - lasting only a few seconds - the
vehicle wasn't fully fueled, which is why the frost line covered only a portion of the tanks.
After an hour of fueling, everything was ready, and all six Raptor engines roared to life,
allowing us to film some insane views. The test was a complete success. However,
having the prototype anchored to the stand during testing has its drawbacks.
A significant number of heat tiles are either damaged or completely
mis
sing after each static fire. This time it was no exception…
The tile loss comes mostly from vibrations from the pad transferring to the vehicle,
coupled with shockwaves bouncing off the ground. From the photos captured by our
photographer, John, it's clear that this test didn’t go easy on Ship 29.
A significant number of tiles, especially around the aft section, are missing.
Naturally, these tiles will have to be replaced. One concerning fact is that a few missing tiles
could be the deciding
factor between the Ship successfully surviving reentry and meeting its
demise in a Rapid, Unscheduled Disassembly. 18,000 tiles and rapid reusability
are certainly an interesting mix. On the other hand, SpaceX already proved that they
can replace these guys in a matter of minutes, unlike with the space shuttle, where replacing
a single tile could take as long as three days. What are your thoughts?
Do you believe SpaceX will solve the tile problem in future missions, or will they need to expl
ore
alternative solutions? How would you improve this? Share your opinions in the comments!
Despite the loss of the heat tiles, SpaceX confirmed that the test was a complete success
and that it indeed used six Raptor engines. With this milestone achieved, the next and
potentially final item on Ship 29's pre-flight checklist is a single-engine static fire.
This test aims to simulate a Raptor reignition in space - a critical maneuver required to deorbit.
Ship 28 was initially supposed to perfor
m this test, but it was ultimately
skipped due to roll issues. An alert notice for residents of Boca Chica
village was issued on March 27th, aligning with a road closure scheduled for the same day.
If the test occurred before the release of this video, you should be seeing footage
of it on your screen right now. Following a successful test campaign,
Ship 29 is expected to return to either the High Bay or the second Mega Bay
for final touches and modifications. If there will be any changes,
they will likely
aim to address the issues observed during the third flight, where the Ship was uncontrollably
spinning along its roll axis while in space. Initially, it seemed this might have been
an intentional maneuver related to fuel transfer or payload bay opening.
However, as reentry approached, it became apparent that there was a problem.
The exact cause remains unclear, but it's highly probable that a vent or cold gas thruster,
intended to counteract the spin, froze over. This is als
o a perfect moment to
delve into how a Starship maneuvers and controls its orientation in space.
Attitude control can be achieved through what is known as Reaction Control Systems,
or RCS for short. But what exactly is that? RCS thrusters are compact
devices that produce thrust. By strategically placing a sufficient number
of these thrusters around the spacecraft, it's possible to manipulate
its rotation along any axis. There is no counteracting force in Space, no
air resistance, and no ac
ting gravity* in orbit, as that is countered by the orbital velocity.
So, you can’t deploy flaps or use a rudder. Usually, spacecraft are equipped with a
type of RCS we call cold gas thrusters. The term "cold" here implies that the
system operates without combustion. So, the temperature of the gas used doesn’t matter.
Even with hot gas it would technically be a cold gas thruster if there’s no combustion involved.
The working principle behind cold gas thrusters is surprisingly straightforward
.
Essentially, the vehicle carries a tank filled with pressurized gas, commonly
nitrogen, though helium and argon are also used. This tank is linked to a valve,
which, when opened, allows the pressurized gas to escape through a nozzle.
The action of releasing the gas generates thrust, propelling the spacecraft in the
direction opposite to the exhaust. That’s what we call Newton’s third law of motion!
While I do get that this principle is not very intuitive, Flat Earthers
really don’t like th
is one… This system is cost-effective and
relatively simple to implement, but it's not without its drawbacks.
The thrust produced is tiny, and the requirement for additional tanks
adds to the spacecraft's overall weight. Falcon 9 uses such thrusters, and Starship
prototypes up to SN15 did as well. However, newer Starship prototypes have
adopted a slightly different approach to make use of cryogenic fuels’ tendency to boil off.
Catching two birds with one stone. Poor birds. Within the tanks,
the liquid
absorbs external heat, warming up and transitioning from liquid to gas.
This creates a pretty big issue. Bird number one. As the gas expands, it increases pressure within
the tanks. To prevent the tanks from bursting, this built-up gas needs to be vented.
To deal with this build up, Starship is equipped with an array of vents for both methane
and oxygen tanks, as well as the header tanks. This is where SpaceX’s
engineers had a brilliant idea. What if, Instead of merely releasing
it, the gas could be repurposed to function as the RCS? Bird number 2.
Changing a vent into a thruster is as simple as attaching the right nozzle to it.
This idea led to the introduction of the cowbell-shaped nozzles we
can now find on Starship. Initially, these modified vents
were intended for the Booster only, with the Ship using a hot gas thruster system.
However, during the fantastic interview conducted by Tim Dodd, he asked if ullage gas
thrusters are for Super Heavy only. "- But this i
s only for the Booster, right?
- Yes um although arguably now you mentioned it, we might be wise to do this for the Ship too." After which Elon Musk had a eureka
moment, where he realized that the same method could be used for the Ship.
This system, while incredibly efficient, isn't perfect either.
For starters, such thrusters depend on having excess heated fuel in the tanks
- a factor that complicates mission planning. As tank pressure increases, so too does
the thrust from the thrusters, ma
king it difficult to predict the system's behavior.
Additionally, it poses a risk of vent freezing, which is what likely caused numerous issues
during the most recent mission. Oxygen and methane both love freezing in space.
So, what could SpaceX do to address these issues in their next prototypes?
One straightforward solution could involve adding more vents to introduce redundancy.
Whether this adjustment can be integrated into existing prototypes remains to be seen.
Another possibility could b
e a return to the concept of hot gas thrusters.
Unlike cold gas RCS, hot gas thrusters are miniature rocket engines, where gaseous
fuel and oxidizer are combined and ignited. This method, while more complex,
could offer a more reliable and controllable alternative to the existing system.
Since Starship needs to vent heated fuel anyway, it makes sense to utilize it to
generate thrust more efficiently. And it’s more than just me
throwing ideas at the wall. The hot gas thruster concept had
pro
gressed to a point where we saw one installed atop Super Heavy BN3.
Yet, this approach was dropped in favor of the ullage vent thrusters.
Technically, SpaceX could still revisit hot gas thrusters, though this would likely necessitate
substantial modifications to the prototypes. Beyond hot gas, there's a plethora of
other options, such as chemical thrusters. These systems induce a chemical reaction
with a catalyst to generate gas and, consequently, thrust.
Another theoretically viable but impr
actical option for Starship
could be the addition of Vernier thrusters. These medium-scale rocket engines
offer significantly more thrust than their cold gas counterparts and are
utilized in rockets like the Soyuz. However, adding a Vernier thruster
into Starship would require a complete overhaul of the vehicle's plumbing, not to
mention the development of a mini Raptor. There’s likely no way they’ll do that, but
at least you know what a Vernier thruster is! Ultimately, the decision likely
narrows
down to using either ullage gas, dedicated cold gas, or hot gas thrusters.
In my opinion, SpaceX will have already solved the issues found during flight
three, making the reintroduction of hot gas thrusters for Starship unlikely.
However, one variant that will incorporate methalox thrusters is
the Starship Human Landing System. In the final moments of its lunar descent, rather
than relying on the Raptor engines - which would kick up a storm of lunar dust - the
Lunar Starship will u
se a ring of methalox thrusters to gently touchdown.
What are your thoughts on the issues surrounding Starship's RCS?
Do you see it as a potential showstopper or just a minor technical hurdle to
overcome? Please let me know in the comments! Now, you’ve watched more than half
the video, and you’re still watching! Thank you! This means you like it!
We’ve looked into our channel metrics, and there are over 2 million returning monthly
viewers who have not subscribed yet. Help us improve the chann
el even further by
double-checking that you’ve hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss our updates!
While you're at it, give us a like and become a WAI supporter for exclusive SpaceX updates!
With it, you get access to daily Starbase photo galleries, including satellite,
aerial, and ground photos of SpaceX’s progress and countless other extras on top.
And no matter how much you decide to give, Everyone gets the same supporter content and
access! You decide what you want to give! For all t
hose who watched IFT3 with us
or somewhere else, I have something very special. So brand new that I don’t even have my
shirt yet! Oh wait, I do! Our IFT3 commemorative shirt! If you loved IFT3, this is something you
want to have! The shirt is tagged in the video! The link to our Patreon page and our new
website is in the description! Thanks to all the supporters who help us fund more crazy
projects! We can’t thank you enough! You rock! Now, before we continue with the news, here’s a
word a
bout a gravity defying pen from our sponsor! At "What About It!?" curiosity and
creativity propel us, and today's sponsor, Novium, fuels our inspiration.
Novium crafts high-end, unique products aimed to inspire. Their refillable Hoverpens are
an original and timeless combination of space and art; perfect gifts for yourself and loved ones.
I often fidget with my TIME award-winning Interstellar Hoverpen for ideas. It floats
at a 23.5-degree angle, like Earth’s tilt. Available in four colors, it
offers both a
sleek look and a premium writing experience. Did you catch my secret message?
Impress with the premium edition, featuring 18k gold plating and a genuine
meteorite shard 20 million years older than Earth! For functionality, consider the Future
Edition Hoverpen- a 2-in-1 fountain and rollerball hoverpen with interchangeable tips.
Try them yourself- Use the link in the description and get 10% off on all Hoverpens w/ code WAI and
free international shipping to most countries! Goin
g back to the news, we need to mention
an event that will mark the end of an era. Let me tell you about the amazing
journey of the Delta Rocket family. The Delta rocket family boasts a
long and rich legacy, stretching back to the dawn of space exploration.
It all began with the Thor missile - the Air Force's first operational
ballistic rocket, designed as a weapon against Russia during the Cold War.
However, it wasn't long before engineers realized that the technology could serve a more
pea
ceful purpose by launching payloads into space! After experimenting with four different
upper stages, they settled on the Thor Delta configuration, naming it after
the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. Despite an initial launch failure in the 1960s,
the Thor Delta successfully completed 11 missions. Subsequently, it underwent a series of
upgrades, evolving from Delta A through to Delta N in a relatively short span of time.
Delta I concluded its service in 1990, but by then, the United Sta
tes was already
witnessing the rise of the legendary Delta II. This new iteration was not only more powerful
than itVs predecessor but also boasted an impressive track record of reliability, with
only one complete failure out of 155 missions. However, it's important to note
that when this one failure occurred, it was nothing short of dramatic.
On January 17th, during a mission carrying the GPS IIR-1 satellite, a malfunction
in the solid rocket booster led to a catastrophic explosion just 13
seconds post-liftoff.
Burning rocket fuel rained down everywhere, causing destruction over a wide area
- over twenty vehicles were destroyed, and windows were shattered up to 16 kilometers
or 10 miles away from the launch site. Yet, despite this one setback, Delta II went
on to launch some of the most iconic missions, including the Mars Pathfinder and the Spirit and
Opportunity rovers, before being retired in 2018. There was also the Delta III, optimized
for geostationary transfer orbit la
unches. It experienced a brief but troubled
lifespan, with all three of its missions ending in failure or partial failure…
Then, in 2002, the space industry was introduced to a game-changer - the Delta IV rocket.
The vehicle itself was developed mostly for National Security Launches.
Despite its name, Delta IV itself didn’t have that much heritage from previous deltas.
The most significant change was the switch from kerosene to liquid hydrogen, which required
not only new engines, but new tank
s as well. With a complete redesign, Boeing took the time to
create what’s known as the Common Booster Core, which was a highly modular rocket's first stage.
At that point, Boeing was at the height of its game. This very invention allowed
Delta to split into two lines. The first one, Delta IV Medium, had four
configurations of fairings and rocket boosters. In its most capable version, it could bring almost
13,000 kilograms or 28,000 pounds of cargo to LEO. It launched a total of 29 times, al
l
of which were absolutely successful! However, the more recognizable variant of
this rocket is likely the Delta IV Heavy. It’s made up of three Common Booster
Cores, creating one massive rocket. Since its inaugural flight in 2004, the Delta
IV Heavy has carried out missions of both classified nature and significant scientific
interest, including launching the Orion test capsule and the Parker Solar Probe.
With the formation of United Launch Alliance in 2006, the focus expanded beyond just
launching Deltas to developing the next-generation launch vehicle - the Vulcan Centaur.
This transition began the gradual phasing out of the Delta family, with the Delta IV Medium
making its final voyage in 2019, leaving the Heavy variant as the last in the Delta family.
The last mission assigned to this iconic launcher is NROL-70 - another secretive mission
for the National Reconnaissance Office. Although the specifics of the payload are cloaked
in secrecy, it's likely yet another spy satel
lite. The final launch was scheduled for March 28th.
By the time you’re watching this, it might have already launched, marking
a historical moment as we witness the retirement of a rocket family that has played
a crucial role in launching so many missions. Farewell, Delta!
With the retirement of the Delta, ULA plans to hand Space
Launch Complex 37 back to the Space Force. This opens up an exciting opportunity
for SpaceX, which has expressed a lot of interest in acquiring the site.
An environ
mental review is already in progress. Elon Musk’s company wants to build another
Starship launch and catch tower at this location. vNow, while some rockets retire, new
ones are popping up left and right. If you're a regular viewer of What About
It!, you're probably familiar with Firefly Aerospace - a small space company responsible
for the development of the Alpha rocket. The journey of this small satellite
launcher has been fraught with challenges. Alpha's maiden voyage ended dramatically,
with
the rocket being destroyed shortly after takeoff. The second launch managed to reach orbit… but
not the intended one, resulting in the satellites burning up in the atmosphere a week later.
Finally, Firefly achieved a significant milestone with the Vicuts Nox mission in September 2023.
They successfully executed a responsive launch that went from payload integration
to liftoff in just 27 hours! Despite this success, Firefly's latest
mission also ended up being a partial failure. Neverth
eless, the company has caught the attention
of Northrop Grumman, which has chosen them to develop a new first stage for its Antares rocket.
The newest version - Antares 230+ utilized a first stage composed of components sourced
from Russia and Ukraine - a supply chain disrupted by the Russian war efforts.
The upcoming Antares 300's first stage will not only be taller than its
predecessor but will also shift from two RD-181 engines to seven Miranda engines.
These run on RP-1 and Liquid Oxygen
and are already being tested at Firefly’s facilities!
Interestingly, Antares 300 will use the upper stage from its predecessor, which
is actually quite a genius move. Maiden launches often fail due to second-stage
issues, but by reusing the proven design, they could achieve a successful
orbit on their inaugural attempt! The first launch of Antares
300 is scheduled for 2025! However, their partnership seems to be
extending beyond just a single launch vehicle. Firefly and Northrop Grumman are
already working
on an unnamed medium launch vehicle which will bring the Antares family to a new level.
This future vehicle will reuse the Antares 300 booster, coupled with a
brand-new upper stage from Firefly. This will enhance its payload
capacity to over 16,000 kilograms or 35,000 pounds to Low Earth Orbit.
This would effectively double the current Antares' lifting capability!
The MLV will be manufactured mostly out of carbon fiber. V
Firefly has even already produced the first prototype
tanks, testing
their automated fiber placement machine. We don't see this collaborzation between
New Space and Old Space companies very often, so I’m interested to see if
they’ll be able to achieve success. That’s it for today! Remember to smash
that like button. Subscribe for more awesome content! This is what fuels the
Algorithm and helps us immensely! Check out our epic shirts in your favorite space
nerd store! Link is in the description. And if you want to train your space IQ even
fur
ther, watch this video next to continue your journey! Thank you very much for watching,
and we’ll see you again in the next episode!
Comments