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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Update

2024/12/23

Elon Musk Podcast

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Will Walden

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Will Walden: 美国联邦航空管理局(FAA)于2024年12月17日批准了SpaceX的修改后的许可证，为SpaceX的下一轮星舰测试飞行(7号飞行)铺平了道路，该飞行预计最早于2025年1月进行。此批准允许SpaceX使用7号飞行任务方案执行多次发射，而无需为每次尝试单独修改。这一决定是在对所有安全、环境和许可标准进行彻底评估后做出的。FAA商业航天运输副署长凯尔文·B·科尔曼指出，"我们正在发布的许可证修改案大大提前于星舰7号飞行发射日期，是FAA致力于实现安全太空运输的又一个例子。即将进行的任务将看到SpaceX的星舰和超重型助推器从德克萨斯州博卡奇卡发射升空，然后分离。超重型助推器将返回发射场，由发射塔进行捕获尝试，而星舰将遵循亚轨道轨迹，最终在澳大利亚西部的印度洋着陆。这次飞行与之前的任务类似，但引入了升级的飞行器配置，这可能会提高性能。 FAA的公告中一个值得注意的因素是包含了一种新的故障模式例外。历史上，FAA允许某些测试引起的故障，只要它们不会导致人员伤亡、财产损失或碎片坠落到指定区域外，就不需要进行正式的事故调查。之前的例外包括在高温下热屏蔽损坏或在高动压下襟翼故障等故障。对于7号飞行及以后的飞行，引入了两个额外的例外：空间燃烧期间猛禽发动机的故障以及助推器捕获后车辆安全期间超重型系统的故障。这些新的允许反映了SpaceX星舰项目的实验性质，并为该公司提供了一些余地，使其能够在没有立即监管延误的情况下改进其系统。SpaceX的7号飞行准备工作取决于飞行器和发射台的准备情况。作为第一艘Block 2星舰的星舰33号最近在距离星舰约1.5英里的梅西测试设施完成了发动机测试。这些测试包括一个旋转启动测试，以验证其升级的发动机管道，以及两次静态点火测试，一次涉及所有六台发动机，另一次模拟带有发动机万向节的脱轨燃烧。这些测试标志着自星舰29号以来首次进行脱轨燃烧测试，表明Block 2星舰取得了进步。在这些里程碑之后，星舰33号被运回巨型海湾2号进行最后的准备工作。 Block 2配置对星舰设计做出了几项重大改变。它的油箱进行了加长，将推进剂容量从1200吨增加到1500吨，而对前襟翼的修改旨在提高再入性能和热防护。这种增强的设计标志着SpaceX迭代开发过程中的一个进步，即使该公司继续解决在早期飞行中发现的挑战。与此同时，为7号飞行指定的超重型助推器14号正在巨型海湾中进行最后的调整。这包括安装一个热阶段环，该组件旨在在星舰和助推器仍然连接时促进发动机点火。SpaceX决定加入这一功能，符合其不断优化星舰性能的承诺。博卡奇卡的发射台（也称为星际基地）最近几周进行了重大升级。虽然大部分翻新工作已经完成，但发射台腿部重新喷漆和将低温管道连接到新油箱等任务仍未完成。鉴于单独将它们集成到轨道油箱农场的复杂性，这些新油箱不太可能及时用于7号飞行。尽管如此，鉴于星舰33号引入了新的配置，SpaceX预计在发射前进行注油测试甚至全湿式演练。 FAA简化许可流程的决定，反映了其适应新的商业航天产业的更广泛努力。10月份，由于FAA需要进行额外的音爆和环境评估，SpaceX在获得5号飞行的许可证修改方面遇到了延误。批准是在预定发射日期前一天才到达，这引发了人们对监管效率低下的担忧。埃隆·马斯克在X上抨击了FAA。此后，FAA努力加快其审查流程，7号飞行的许可证修改案大大提前于预期的发射窗口发布了。尽管这些监管改进，但挑战依然存在。SpaceX必须在保持星舰实验性质的同时解决潜在的安全问题。根据联邦航空条例第14篇第450部分，即使FAA对测试引起的故障给予了某些例外，事故也会被严格定义和监控。这些例外并非无条件的。任何导致安全风险或伤害的事件仍将触发强制性调查。SpaceX的目标发射日期是1月11日或1月15日，这与NASA的要求相符，表明发射可能在白天进行，以便对星舰的着陆进行视觉记录。如果成功，7号飞行将代表SpaceX努力开发完全可重复使用的火箭系统，以支持火星任务的又一个增量步骤。SpaceX将继续准备工作，重点是确保飞行前的飞行器可靠性和运行安全。星舰33号即将进行的发射，不仅将测试其增强的设计，还将测试FAA监管调整的有效性。随着许可流程和飞行器配置的不断改进，7号飞行任务可以为SpaceX的未来提供宝贵的见解。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

When is the expected launch date for SpaceX's Starship Flight 7?

The launch is expected as early as January 2025.

What does the FAA's modified license allow SpaceX to do?

It allows SpaceX to conduct multiple launches using the Flight 7 mission profile without needing separate modifications for each attempt.

What are the key components of the Flight 7 mission profile?

The mission involves the Starship and Super Heavy booster lifting off from Boca Chica, Texas, separating, with the booster attempting to return to the launch site for a catch, and the Starship following a suborbital trajectory to a water landing in the Indian Ocean west of Australia.

What new exceptions were introduced by the FAA for Flight 7?

The FAA introduced exceptions for Raptor engine failure during an in-space burn and issues with Super Heavy systems during post-booster catch vehicle safing.

How does the Block 2 configuration of Ship 33 differ from previous designs?

The Block 2 configuration extends the tanks, increasing propellant capacity to 1,500 tons, and modifies the forward flaps to improve re-entry performance and thermal protection.

What is the significance of the heat stage ring in Booster 14?

The heat stage ring is designed to facilitate engine ignition while the Starship and booster are still connected, optimizing performance.

What challenges remain for SpaceX in preparing for Flight 7?

SpaceX must address potential safety concerns, ensure vehicle reliability, and complete operational preparations, including integrating new cryogenic tanks and conducting tanking tests.

How has the FAA's approach to licensing changed since the delays for Flight 5?

The FAA has accelerated its review processes, issuing the Flight 7 license modification well ahead of the launch date to avoid delays.

What is the tentative launch window for Flight 7?

SpaceX aims for a tentative launch date between January 11th and January 15th, 2025.

What is the ultimate goal of SpaceX's Starship program?

The goal is to develop a fully reusable rocket system capable of supporting missions to Mars.

Shownotes Transcript

On December 17, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX a modified license, paving the way for the next Starship test flight, expected as early as January 2025. This approval allows SpaceX to execute multiple launches using the Flight 7 mission profile without requiring a separate modification for each attempt. The decision was made after a thorough assessment to ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and licensing criteria. FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman noted, “This license modification that we are issuing is well ahead of the Starship Flight 7 launch date and is another example of the FAA’s commitment to enable safe space transportation.”

The upcoming mission will see SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy booster lift off from Boca Chica, Texas, before separating. The Super Heavy booster will return to the launch site for a catch attempt by the launch tower, while Starship will follow a suborbital trajectory, culminating in a water landing in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. This flight mirrors past missions but introduces upgraded vehicle configurations, which could enhance performance.

SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Update 08:05 Share