{"id":24728,"date":"2022-01-15T18:58:52","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T10:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/chopsticks-tested-ahead-of-first-mechazilla-stacking-operation\/"},"modified":"2022-01-15T18:58:52","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T10:58:52","slug":"chopsticks-tested-ahead-of-first-mechazilla-stacking-operation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/chopsticks-tested-ahead-of-first-mechazilla-stacking-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"Chopsticks tested ahead of first Mechazilla stacking operation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Having conducted the first series of Mechazilla catch and stack systems tests, SpaceX\u2019s Starship program has come one step closer to seeing another fully stacked Starship on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM).<\/p>\n<p>Several tests were conducted with the chopsticks, paving the way for the first lift of a booster and a ship\u2019s potential stacking following the previous full-stack operation conducted by a crane.\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Chopsticks Tested:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Testing the chopsticks began the night of January 2, when they were raised a few feet before being lowered onto their resting blocks.<\/p>\n<p>This was the first time the chopsticks were moved vertically, with the only prior movement being when the chopsticks were rotated to not interfere with the OLM.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Chopsticks Undergo Extensive Testing  | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SBwxIfblmpY?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>Testing continued on January 4, when they were raised higher than previous tests. Each arm was rotated open individually over several hours, separately testing each significant system component for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>The next test conducted was what appeared to be an exercise of the entire Mechazilla system, using the chopsticks in a simulated lift a Starship to a full-stack height before swinging the Ship Quick Disconnect (QD) arm into place to stabilize the full stack. However, this time the arms did not open wide to the position that they would be in during a launch attempt.<\/p>\n<p>Space Technology<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>Spaceflight news subscription<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>NASA mission updates<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({});<br \/>\n<iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 600px; 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=1481058642875006976&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F01%2Fchopsticks-tested-first-mechazilla-stacking%2F&amp;sessionId=1541e144c637f38f52bed974f2f888883b74b868&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=\"1481058642875006976\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The next series of tests included SpaceX hooking a bar between the chopsticks before attaching multiple load test bags to the bar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Chopsticks were then raised, with the bags empty, to the top of the tower at a previously unseen speed, reaching the top in just under nine minutes. SpaceX later filled four of the bags with water before raising the chopsticks and translating them above the OLM.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Mechazilla's Chopsticks Load Tested with Water Ballast Bags | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8sWomHYJbYQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It is hoped that checkouts of the chopsticks will allow Booster 4, or Booster 7, to be lifted onto the OLM in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<\/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>Following the fit check stacking of Booster 4 and Ship 20, the test campaign for Booster 4 kicked off back on December 17, with SpaceX conducting a partial cryogenic proof test, partially filling B4\u2019s methane tank with liquid nitrogen (LN2).<\/p>\n<p>These tests are conducted to verify the tanks\u2019 structural integrity and ability to hold the super-chilled liquid methane and liquid oxygen needed for a test flight.<\/p>\n<p>The next test, conducted on December 21, included SpaceX partially filling the liquid oxygen tank with LN2 for the first time, with a repeat performance for the methane tank.<\/p>\n<p>The most recent test of Booster 4 saw teams fill the liquid oxygen tank with LN2 before filling the methane tank nearly halfway, potentially paving the way for the first round of static fire tests on the OLM.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Crews Work on Booster 4's Engine Section | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g5f15c3ReTo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid2\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>However, it has not yet been confirmed that Booster 4, and the OLS Tank Farm, are at the required state of readiness for such a test.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX has not received certification to store methane in their custom-built GSE tanks, as confirmed by regulations from the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates natural gas storage in Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Should SpaceX opt to move to the next Super Heavy for Static Fire testing, Booster 7 would be the vehicle.\n<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83514\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83514\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2481\" height=\"1640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395.jpg 2481w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-350x231.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-529x350.jpg 529w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-1920x1269.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-1170x773.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-780x516.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-09-10-395-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2481px) 100vw, 2481px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Booster 7 in the High Bay, via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF L2<\/p>\n<p>Stacking ops have continued in the High Bay, with the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Aft Tank #5 being rolled into the High Bay ahead of being joined to the rest of the aft tank stack.<\/p>\n<p>Once Aft Tank #5 is joined to the stack, work will shift from the LOX section to the methane section. After the methane section is completed, the Booster Thrust Section will be joined to the LOX section before the methane section is lifted and joined to the LOX section, completing the Booster.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Elon only recently confirming that the next Booster would have 33 Raptor 2 (R2) engines, the first thrust puck capable of accommodating 33 R2\u2019s was first spotted in October of 2021. This next Booster has since evolved into Booster 7, with Booster 6 becoming a test tank.<\/p>\n<p>With Ship 20 having conducted a series of Static Fire tests, with the potential for more over the coming weeks,&nbsp;Ship 21\u2019s tank section has been moved around the Production Site, taking up stints inside both the Mid Bay and High Bay.\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83515\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2482\" height=\"1616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851.jpg 2482w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851-350x228.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851-538x350.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851-1920x1250.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-12-50-851-1170x762.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2482px) 100vw, 2482px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ship 21 in the Mid Bay via Nic Ansuini (@NicAnsuini) for NSF L2<\/p>\n<p>Ship 21\u2019s tank section was rolled around the Production Site, making multiple trips in and out of the Mid and High Bays before being rolled back into the Mid Bay one last time.<\/p>\n<p>While work on Ship 21 has seemingly halted, SpaceX has continued to work on Ship 22, adding hinges to the nosecone barrel, indicating that the barrel could be repurposed to be a cargo bay door pathfinder.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 785px; 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=1418762759068655619&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2022%2F01%2Fchopsticks-tested-first-mechazilla-stacking%2F&amp;sessionId=1541e144c637f38f52bed974f2f888883b74b868&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=\"1418762759068655619\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The last time a cargo bay pathfinder was spotted was in July 2021, when a nosecone barrel was cut open along with part of the nosecone itself. At the time, Elon noted that the exact payload bay door dimensions were yet to be determined and that the volume was roughly 1,000 cubic meters.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, crews have started working on Ship 24, with multiple parts spotted and the Common Dome sleeved. Mary (@bocachicagal) spotted the sleeve on December 24 and captured it being put onto the sleeving stand and sleeved on January 3 and 4, respectively.\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83516\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83516\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2498\" height=\"1639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043.jpg 2498w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043-350x230.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043-533x350.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043-1920x1260.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-15-01-15-43-043-1170x768.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2498px) 100vw, 2498px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83516\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ship 24 Common Dome, via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF L2<\/p>\n<p>Mary also spotted the Mid LOX section on December 10 and the Forward Dome just a few days later on December 12. It would be nearly a month before more work was done on the Forward Dome, when Nic (@NicAnsuini) captured it being sleeved on January 6.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, SpaceX has continued to add capacity at the Production site, with work on the third level of the new wider High Bay starting.<\/p>\n<p>Along with the previous level, SpaceX has shifted to constructing sections of the Wide Bay on the ground before lifting them onto the previous level. It appears that this change is to speed up construction, as SpaceX has been able to make progress on the second and third levels much faster than the first level.\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83509\" class=\"size-full wp-image-83509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2476\" height=\"1614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705.jpg 2476w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705-350x228.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705-537x350.jpg 537w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705-1920x1252.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/NSF-2022-01-14-22-49-21-705-1170x763.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2476px) 100vw, 2476px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-83509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wide Bay grows \u2013 via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF L2<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cWide Bay\u201d will allow SpaceX to work on multiple Boosters or Ships at once, something they\u2019ve been unable to do before. Previously, Ships could only be assembled to their forward dome section in the Mid Bay before being rolled to the High Bay for nosecone integration.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cWide Bay\u201d will allow SpaceX to fully assemble a Booster and Ship simultaneously before rolling them to the launch site for tests.<\/p>\n<p>For live updates, follow NASASpaceFlight\u2019s Twitter account and the NSF Starship Forum Sections.<\/p>\n<p>**Support NSF\u2019s youtube channel by subscribing and\/or joining here**<\/p>\n<p>Grab some cool gear along with the ability to support our content: https:\/\/shop.nasaspaceflight.com\/<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-79802\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nsf-merch_ad-002-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nsf-merch_ad-002-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nsf-merch_ad-002-1-350x70.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nsf-merch_ad-002-1-630x126.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nsf-merch_ad-002-1-768x154.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"No Orbit, FAA Delays, Raptor Issues: Was 2021 Worth It? Starbase Progress Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iVqjh3JH4cU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid3\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having conducted the first series of Mechazilla catch and stack systems tests, SpaceX\u2019s Starship program has come one step closer to seeing another fully stacked Starship on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). Several tests were conducted with the chopsticks, paving the way for the first lift of a booster and a ship\u2019s potential stacking following [&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":[1648,8089,8258,8614,8094,739,317,596],"class_list":["post-24728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-boca-chica","tag-booster","tag-chopsticks","tag-mechazilla","tag-ship","tag-starbase","tag-starship","tag-super-heavy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24728"}],"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=24728"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24728\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}