{"id":24707,"date":"2022-02-11T22:46:23","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T14:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/musk-outlines-starship-progress-towards-self-sustaining-mars-city\/"},"modified":"2022-02-11T22:46:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T14:46:23","slug":"musk-outlines-starship-progress-towards-self-sustaining-mars-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/musk-outlines-starship-progress-towards-self-sustaining-mars-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Musk outlines Starship progress towards self-sustaining Mars city"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX Chief Designer Elon Musk has provided the first overview for the Starship Program since 2019, announcing a roadmap towards building a self-sustaining city on Mars.<\/p>\n<p>With Starship, a rapid and completely reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle, as the focal point, Musk hopes to achieve the goal of an orbital test launch this year, followed by a multitude of various missions from a range of launch site options, from Starbase to KSC, and even ocean launch platforms.<\/p>\n<p>The Reason For Starship:<\/p>\n<p>Under the gaze of the full-stack Booster 4 and Ship 20 Starship, the progress made since Musk\u2019s previous presentation was self-evident.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Super Heavy\/Starship Section<\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During that 2019 update, Musk had the Mk1 Starship prototype peering over his shoulder, in the middle of a small production site and just down the road from what was just the Suborbital Launch Site, occupied by Starhopper \u2013 at the time the star of the Starbase show.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot has happened since then,\u201d said Musk in his opening remarks.<\/p>\n<p>The latest update came from the Orbital Launch Site, lit up for the presentation, visually adding additional contrast to the previous event.<\/p>\n<p>With the successful \u2013 and speedy \u2013 stacking of Ship 20 atop Booster 4 via the Mechazilla Chopsticks, the overview was backdropped by a full-stack Starship.<\/p>\n<p>Spaceflight history books<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Technology News<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>SpaceX<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Elon Musk's Starship Update Presentation Reaction &amp; Analysis\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C8ZVzv9kn2k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The driving force for the Starship program is fostered by Musk\u2019s ambition to make life multi-planetary. This point was emphasized at the very opening of the presentation, with the holy grail of a rapidly and fully reusable launch vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>That was proofed via the mass to orbit capability of Starship. While Elon cited the total mass launched to orbit by any nation thus far as 15,517 tons, Starship can lift 15,500t to orbit after one year of three Starship launches per week.<\/p>\n<p>This rapidly increases based on launch cadence to the target of 1,000,000t that Musk believes is required to create a self-sustaining city on Mars.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84065\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84065\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2015\" height=\"1125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406.jpg 2015w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406-627x350.jpg 627w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406-1920x1072.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-20-17-06-406-1170x653.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2015px) 100vw, 2015px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84065\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SpaceX render of a city on Mars.<\/p>\n<p>The goal relates to the limited opportunities for ideal Mars transit windows every two years and the amount of material needed to ensure a city on Mars is independent of Earth, should issues arise with the supply line.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time in the planet\u2019s history, such a goal is now a reality via Starship \u2013 with a payload capacity of 100-150t, dependent on the orbit, and a capacity to Mars of roughly 100t. Elon noted that this could eventually rise to 200t with orbital refilling.\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84080\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2025\" height=\"1129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484.jpg 2025w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484-628x350.jpg 628w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484-768x428.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484-1920x1070.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-36-35-484-1170x652.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2025px) 100vw, 2025px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Orbital Refilling with Starship \u2013 SpaceX Render<\/p>\n<p>The rapid reuse of the vehicle will target reuse of the Ship every six hours, with the Booster theoretically recycled for launch every hour.<\/p>\n<p>Raptor Evolution:<\/p>\n<p>During the test phase, both the Booster and the Ship have continued to evolve. The Ship will move to nine engines, while the Booster will soon sport 33 engines \u2013 the maximum number of engines based on the vehicle\u2019s diameter.<\/p>\n<p>The engine itself is evolving, with Raptor 2 now deep into testing at SpaceX\u2019s McGregor test site.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83685\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-350x220.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-556x350.jpg 556w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-1920x1208.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-27-17-982-wmarked-1170x736.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83685\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The five bays for Raptor Testing via Gary Blair for NSF L2<\/p>\n<p>Raptor 1 already sported 185t of thrust. However, with Raptor 2, that increases to 230t. Raptor 2 is also \u201cgreatly simplified while increasing thrust. Half the cost at more thrust,\u201d Musk added. The current peak thrust R2 operated at is 247 tons, so SpaceX is confident 250t will be achieved, which is \u201cobviously essential to making SS work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The visual changes between Raptor v1 and v2 are apparent, with less cabling and plumbing around the engine.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84057\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84057\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2543\" height=\"1644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493.jpg 2543w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493-350x226.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493-541x350.jpg 541w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493-1920x1241.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-02-11-19-35-28-493-1170x756.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2543px) 100vw, 2543px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84057\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Raptor 1 and 2 on show. Photo: Jack Beyer for NSF<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s easily visible around the entire engine, the turbopump appears to have been shrunk in size, and the plumbing has been consolidated.<\/p>\n<p>Raptor 2 SN5 appears to be a Raptor Boost engine, which means it lacks the ability to gimbal or steer and cannot throttle as low as Raptor Center engines.<\/p>\n<p>This engine is far more than just a step up from V1. It was a complete redesign; everything from turbomachinery to chamber nozzle to its electronics has been redesigned. This allowed items to be deleted and consolidated while the turbopumps are more robust.<\/p>\n<p>Citing his dislike of flanges, many have now been converted to welds. \u201cAt high pressures and cryogenic temps flanges are a nightmare,\u201d Musk noted. \u201c700-800 bar in places, 11000psi, going to welded from flanges is helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1492050352664887315&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F02%2Fstarships-self-sustaining-city-mars%2F&amp;sessionId=2d60a854e95982e7997aed09a1b6e4673bd87457&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1492050352664887315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783497504918437787=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Later this year, remaining fussy bits will be gone, allowing deletion of shroud<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 11, 2022<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Musk also noted that the preburner controllers have moved to boxes rather than being all over the engine. This allows future changes to the point where Raptor will not need a shroud \u2013 this will reduce its mass and stop being \u201ca pain in the ass, especially for gimbaling engines,\u201d per Musk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith more deletion and integration, the engine will be flameproof, and losing shrouds is a good mass saving. Probably can operate at 330 bar sustained in the main chamber without having the pre burner pressure be too high.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This will remove choke points, resulting in less pressure loss.<\/p>\n<p>Raptor testing has been proceeding well at SpaceX McGregor, including the observation of Serial Number 10, via photos from NSF\u2019s Gary Blair (L2 McGregor). That engine was shown in action during the presentation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1491964913887027201&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F02%2Fstarships-self-sustaining-city-mars%2F&amp;sessionId=2d60a854e95982e7997aed09a1b6e4673bd87457&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1491964913887027201\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783497504918437787=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Raptor 2 generates more than 230 tons of thrust at sea level, up from Raptor 1\u2019s 185 tons pic.twitter.com\/o1Rqjwx6Ql<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 11, 2022<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The remaining challenge is mitigating against the engine chamber melting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe only remaining issue that we\u2019re aware of is melting the chamber, that thing really wants to melt, it\u2019s got like on the order of a gigawatt of heat, so it\u2019s pretty hot, like a gigawatt is what a nuclear power plant produces, so it really desperately is trying to melt at any point in time,\u201d Musk noted, in response to Tim Dodd, who only recently released a video on how engines avoid melting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo we\u2019re flowing an immense amount of cryogenic fuels to cool the chamber and the channels, we have head-end film cooling, we\u2019ve got throat film cooling, and we\u2019re just trying to get the exact sort of balance between head-end film cooling and throat film cooling to not melt the chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-3\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 250px; height: 489px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-3&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1491942822546661392&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F02%2Fstarships-self-sustaining-city-mars%2F&amp;sessionId=2d60a854e95982e7997aed09a1b6e4673bd87457&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1491942822546661392\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019re pretty close, we have a couple engines in the stand that have 700 or 800 seconds of operation and several start cycles, so it\u2019s looking positive, but that\u2019s the remaining issue, melting the chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Addressing the production rate, Musk provided an optimistic overview. With Raptor 2s now undergoing testing at McGregor, a new production facility at the site is almost ready.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83683\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-350x167.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-630x300.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-768x365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-1920x914.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2022-01-23-03-23-34-169-wmarked-1170x557.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83683\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The latest view of the McGregor Raptor 2 factory, via Gary Blair for NSF\/L2<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re scaling up production to get to one a day or better, so apart from melted chambers we\u2019re doing well. We\u2019ve got a lot of pumps, a lot of electronics, a lot of preburner controllers, so just not melting the chamber is very difficult and is kinda the last remaining challenge, but I think we\u2019re very close to solving that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe production system has a lot of momentum like we said, next week we\u2019ll probably make five or six Raptor 2s, and I think we\u2019ll be at seven a week or better by next month. These are crazy numbers for rocket engines, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>McGregor will also be the focal point for testing additional limitation checks on the engines, with Musk hoping Raptor can achieve 330 bar sustained in the main chamber.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot more to go on; we\u2019re also operating a higher chamber pressure; I think over time we can operate it at 330 bar sustained in the main chamber,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84015\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84015\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2348\" height=\"1445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked.jpg 2348w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-350x215.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-569x350.jpg 569w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-180x110.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-1920x1182.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-07-23-36-32-973-wmarked-1170x720.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2348px) 100vw, 2348px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84015\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Raptor 2 (#10) on the test stand at McGregor, via NSF\u2019s Gary Blair Plane photo L2 McGregor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout having the preburner pressures be too high by essentially by losing less pressure, there\u2019s like a whole pressure ladder going from the turbopumps and preburners to the main chamber.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy getting rid of a bunch of the choke points, we can have less pressure loss, and the pumps can effectively produce more pressure in the main chamber with less loss in the secondary systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Launch Sites:<\/p>\n<p>The build-up of the facilities in South Texas has been extraordinary, again evident in the changes since Musk last updated the Starship program from the facility now known as Starbase.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84077\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84077\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2458\" height=\"1649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689.jpg 2458w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-350x235.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-522x350.jpg 522w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-1920x1288.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-1170x785.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/NSF-2022-02-11-21-32-01-689-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2458px) 100vw, 2458px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84077\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Full Stack at Starbase \u2013 via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF<\/p>\n<p>It still requires a legislative process, namely an environmental assessment from the FAA, to complete before approval for launches can take place, which Musk believes may take another two months.<\/p>\n<p>While the Production Site increases capacity, with a new High Bay being built alongside the existing structure, the launch site gained the primary focus for Musk\u2019s overview.<\/p>\n<p>Citing the impressive Launch Tower \u2013 with its Mechazilla system \u2013 took only 13 months from design to competition, Musk noted \u201cStage Zero\u201d is as complex as the Booster or the Ship, emphasizing the successful use of the Tower with the recent stacking of Ship 20 onto Booster 4.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-4\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 281px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-4&amp;features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1491962750817509382&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F02%2Fstarships-self-sustaining-city-mars%2F&amp;sessionId=2d60a854e95982e7997aed09a1b6e4673bd87457&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1491962750817509382\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The forward goal is to have two towers at Starbase\u2019s Orbital Launch Site (OLS), although such plans will likely be at the mercy of the ongoing environmental reviews.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, and not just as a backup option, Musk noted that the future launch site at 39A has already passed that milestone. In addition, SpaceX and NASA recently confirmed studies are being worked on to potentially add additional launch capability at KSC\u2019s LC-49.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84017\" class=\"wp-image-84017 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2039\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1.jpg 2039w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-350x183.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-630x330.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-1920x1005.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Pad_39A_B_C_EE33-1-1170x612.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2039px) 100vw, 2039px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-84017\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starship at 39A and LC-49, as envisioned by Jay DeShetler for NSF\/L2<\/p>\n<p>With South Texas and Florida\u2019s Eastern Seaboard the two ideal launch locations, a potential scenario may see Starbase focus on the test launches,&nbsp; \u2013 along with operational launches with payloads such as Starlink, while KSC would become the leading launch site. This would map with KSC being the likely launch site for NASA missions such as HLS (Human Landing System).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStarbase, I think, it\u2019s more suited to become our advanced R&amp;D location, so it\u2019s where we would try out new designs and new versions of the rocket, and I think Cape Kennedy would be our main operational launch site,\u201d Musk noted, before referring to the ocean launch platforms, two of which SpaceX has already purchased.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen, over time, I think we\u2019re going to have floating spaceports like ocean spaceports, we\u2019ve got these two converted oil rigs that are going to be turned into orbital launch sites, and they can be moved around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The two platforms currently being converted are Phobos and Deimos, although very little work has been carried out over recent months. One will gain renewed focus with the installation of its own launch tower by the end of this year.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-5\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-5&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1352697265765441537&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F02%2Fstarships-self-sustaining-city-mars%2F&amp;sessionId=2d60a854e95982e7997aed09a1b6e4673bd87457&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1352697265765441537\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783497504918437787=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And there she is, the other SpaceX Oil Rig, Phobos, that will be used as a floating spaceport for Starship! <\/p>\n<p>The road to Mars runs through Pascagoula, Mississippi. pic.twitter.com\/Jv5H8kK7kJ<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist) January 22, 2021<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cPhobos and Deimos thus far have been a relatively low priority; we needed to make the launch site here work; this has been quite a difficult endeavor, so we deprioritized Phobos and Deimos.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to take one of them and build at least a catch tower on it and ultimately we\u2019ll, ultimately meaning I don\u2019t know, later this year, build a full launch capability on one of the platforms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX Chief Designer Elon Musk has provided the first overview for the Starship Program since 2019, announcing a roadmap towards building a self-sustaining city on Mars. With Starship, a rapid and completely reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle, as the focal point, Musk hopes to achieve the goal of an orbital test launch this year, followed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1648,1045,597,316,739,317],"class_list":["post-24707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-boca-chica","tag-elon-musk","tag-raptor","tag-spacex","tag-starbase","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}