SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Update
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Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast. This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla, X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. I'm your host, Will Walden. What does the FAA's latest approval mean for SpaceX's next steps with their Starship? And how are new exceptions in mishap reporting changing the game for experimental launches from Boca Chica Starbase, Texas?

Also, will the upgraded Starship design deliver improved performance? These are the key questions we'll be exploring as we look into SpaceX's preparation for the next Starship flight, Flight 7, following the FAA's recent license modification.

Now on December 17th, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX a modified license paving the way for the next Starship test flight, Flight 7, expected as early as January of 2025. Now this approval allows SpaceX to execute multiple launches using the Flight 7 mission profile without requiring a separate modification for each attempt. This is huge. The decision was made after a thorough assessment to ensure compliance

Compliance with all safety, environmental, and licensing criteria. The FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Kevin B. Coleman, said, 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. And 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.

Now, this flight mirrors past missions but introduces upgraded vehicle configurations, which could enhance its performance. It's still a test vehicle, of course, but one of the most notable elements of the FAA's announcements is the inclusion of a new failure mode exceptions. Now, historically, the FAA has permitted certain test-induced failures,

without requiring formal mishap investigations as long as they do not result in injuries, property damage, or debris falling outside designated areas.

Previous exceptions included failures like thermal shield damage during high heating or flap malfunctions during high dynamic pressure. And for Flight 7 and beyond, two additional exceptions were introduced. Raptor engine failure during an in-space burn and issues with super heavy systems during post-booster catch vehicle safing.

These new allowances reflect the experimental nature of SpaceX's Starship program and grant the company some leeway, some more flexibility to refine its systems without immediate regulatory delays. SpaceX's readiness for Flight 7 hinges on vehicle and pad preparations, though. Ship 33, the first Block 2 Starship, recently completed engine tests at the Massey's test facility about a mile and a half away from the ship.

Big facility down there at Boca Chica. These included a spin prime test to validate its upgraded engine plumbing and two static fires, one involving all six engines and another simulating a deorbit burn with engine gimballing. These tests marked the first deorbit burn test since Ship 29, signifying the advancements made with Block 2 ships. Following these milestones, Ship 33 was transported back to Mega Bay 2 for final preparations.

Now the Block 2 configuration, let's get into this a little bit. It introduces several significant changes to the Starship design. Its tanks have been extended, increasing propellant capacity from 1,200 to 1,500 tons, while modifications to the forward flaps aim to improve re-entry performance and thermal protection.

This enhanced design marks a step forward in SpaceX's iterative development process, even as the company continues to address challenges identified during earlier flights. Meanwhile, a super-heavy booster designated for Flight 7, Booster 14, is undergoing its final adjustments in the megabay. This includes the installment of a heat stage ring, a component designed to facilitate engine ignition while the Starship and booster are still connected.

SpaceX's decision to incorporate the feature aligns with this ongoing commitment to optimizing the performance of the Starship. Now, the launch pad at Boca Chica, also known as Starbase, has seen significant upgrades in recent weeks. While much of the refurbishment has been completed, tasks such as repainting the pad's legs and routing cryogenic pipes to the new tanks remain unfinished. It is unlikely that these new tanks will be operational in time for Flight 7, though, given the complexity of integrating them individually.

into the orbital tank farm. Nonetheless, SpaceX is expected to conduct a tanking test or even a full wet dress rehearsal before the launch, given the new configurations being introduced with Ship 33. Now, let's go back to the FAA. Their decision to streamline licensing process is a great thing,

and it's reflecting of their broader efforts to accommodate the new commercial space industry. In October, SpaceX faced delays in obtaining a license modification for Flight 5 due to the FAA's need to conduct additional sonic boom and environmental assessments. The approval arrived just one day before the schedule launched, prompting concerns about regulatory inefficiencies. Elon Musk took to X and berated the FAA for this.

And the FAA has since worked to accelerate its review processes, with a Flight 7 license modification issued well ahead of the anticipated launch window. Now, despite these regulatory improvements, though, challenges still remain. SpaceX must address potential safety concerns while maintaining the experimental nature of the Starship. Under Part 450 of Title 14 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, miscommunication

Mishaps are defined and monitored rigorously, even as the FAA grants certain exceptions for test-induced failures. These exceptions are not unconditional, though. Any incident resulting in safety risks or injuries will still trigger a mandatory investigation.

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Looking ahead, SpaceX aims to meet a tentative launch date of January 11th or January 15th. We're not quite sure yet. And this timing aligns with a NASA request for imaging support from Perth, Australia, suggesting that the flight could occur during daylight hours to facilitate visual documentation of the actual landing of the Starship.

If successful, Flight 7 will represent another incremental step in SpaceX's effort to develop a completely fully reusable rocket system capable of supporting missions to Mars.

Now, SpaceX will continue the preparations, though. The focus remains on assuring vehicle reliability and operational safety before the flight. The Ship 33's upcoming launch will test not only its enhanced design, but also the efficacy of the FAA's regulatory adjustments. With ongoing improvements to licensing processes and vehicle configurations, the Flight 7 mission could provide valuable insights for the future of SpaceX.

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