{"id":21566,"date":"2020-04-04T16:18:31","date_gmt":"2020-04-04T20:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21566"},"modified":"2020-04-04T16:18:31","modified_gmt":"2020-04-04T20:18:31","slug":"space-transport-roundup-apr-4-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21566","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Apr.4.2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5\">previous roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Starship prototype SN3 collapses near end of pressure testing<\/strong> of propellant tanks. Rather than an explosive rupture as in previous tank failures, the center tank just crumpled and collapsed. Apparently, the weight of the liquid nitrogen in the upper tank overcame the structural integrity of the middle tank. This could have happened if the middle tank was de-pressurized prematurely. This is the sort of mistake Elon Musk was referring to in a Tweeter posting after the failure in which he said, &#8220;this may have been a test configuration mistake.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kkqgkccWKYI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XJslqGkb9So?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D8-RZmTOtXQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/04\/spacex-loses-its-third-starship-prototype-during-a-cryogenic-test\/\">SpaceX loses its third Starship prototype during a cryogenic test | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/third-starship-prototype-destroyed-in-tanking-test\/\">Third Starship prototype destroyed in tanking test &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-destroyed-cryo-test-next-ship\/\">SpaceX Starship destroyed during cryo test but the next ship is already on the way &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Find more <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5#SpaceX\">SpaceX items below<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Japan&#8217;s Oita airport becomes alternative site for Virgin Orbit LauncherOne missions<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\/oita-partners-with-virgin-orbit-to-establish-first-horizontal-spaceport-in-asia\/\">Oita Partners with Virgin Orbit to Establish First Horizontal Spaceport in Asia | Virgin Orbit<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Virgin Orbit, the California-based small satellite launch company, has announced a new partnership with Oita Prefecture to bring horizontal launch to Japan. With the support of regional partners ANA Holdings Inc. and the Space Port Japan Association, Virgin Orbit has identified Oita Airport as its preferred pilot launch site \u2014 yet another addition to the company\u2019s growing global network of horizontal launch sites \u2014 in pursuit of a mission to space from Japan as early as 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Virgin Orbit and Oita Prefecture have agreed to commence a joint technical study to facilitate development of the future spaceport.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Oita Prefecture is widely recognized in Japan as not only a top-ranked tourist destination, but also as a hub for numerous high-tech ecosystems, including the steel, petrochemical, semiconductor, and automobile industries. The Oita Prefectural Government now has ambitions to extend that leadership into the space domain.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**<strong> Booster returned to earth via parachute during the latest<\/strong> <strong>Chinese<\/strong><strong> Long March 3B launch<\/strong>. This is to limit potential damage to<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Stripey McBoosterface from the March 9th Long March 3B\/E launch had a parachute attached to shrink the SMASHZOOOOOONE.<\/p>\n<p>There will be 1 or 2 more tests this year.<\/p>\n<p>&#x2139;\uff1a<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xL4uaQIZ90\">https:\/\/t.co\/xL4uaQIZ90<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/n6CrxxVh5e\">pic.twitter.com\/n6CrxxVh5e<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 LaunchStuff (@LaunchStuff) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LaunchStuff\/status\/1245911339983388672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/space-systems\/\"><strong>Sierra Nevada<\/strong><\/a><strong> reports on progress with the VORTEX propulsion system<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/press-releases\/snc-leverages-vortex-engine-technology-for-darpa-s-opfires-program\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SNC Leverages VORTEX\u00ae Engine Technology for DARPA\u2019s OpFires Program<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security leader owned by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, reached a major milestone in the advancement of hypersonic propulsion with its patented VORTEX engine, advancing to the next phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency\u2019s (DARPA) Operational Fires (OpFires) program.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Through OpFires, SNC is extending its hybrid VORTEX engine capabilities to advanced, deep throttling, restartable propulsion systems. The system utilizes benign solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer, both of which are storable on Earth and in space. Recent testing shows positive results in being able to package significant energy into a small volume that will have the ability for deep throttling and smooth restart capabilities on command. \u201cThe VORTEX flows integrated into the hybrid significantly improves performance of the hybrid engine\u201d said Dr. Marty Chiaverini, director of Propulsion Systems at SNC.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>\u201cThis program opens up a new market for SNC for preplanned or on-demand propulsion control capabilities that are applicable to both military and beyond Earth orbit propulsion capabilities,\u201d said Tom Crabb, vice president of SNC\u2019s Propulsion &amp; Environmental Systems business unit. \u201cDeep throttling and restart capabilities expand the tools for smart and unpredictable trajectories for various vehicles and systems.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The first two phases of DARPA\u2019s OpFires program focus on the propulsion technologies required to deliver diverse payloads to a variety of ranges. Since Phase 1 contract award, SNC has made critical discoveries in advanced rocket motor technology for the OpFires upper stage, completing more than 30 motor trials from subscale through full size. SNC hopes to demonstrate these engines in flight and offer the engines to new, promising vehicle systems.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>In addition to the deep throttling, restartable, storable system for DARPA, SNC is expanding its propulsion capabilities and products with near-term flight for its Dream Chaser<strong><sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> spaceplane Reaction Control System, maturation of upper stage engines and development of other liquid storable engines for spacecraft, lunar, and other exploration and protection applications. SNC is also co-investing with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for development of the engine for USAF needs. For more information, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/\">www.sncorp.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">SNC is supporting <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DARPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DARPA<\/a> with advanced propulsion technology. We\u2019re developing the VORTEX\u00ae Engine Hybrid Propulsion System for its OpFires program. Watch this video to learn a little more\u2026 and see some pretty cool shots of rocket engines being test fired! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sQQiWlKZuv\">pic.twitter.com\/sQQiWlKZuv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sierra Nevada Corporation (@SierraNevCorp) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SierraNevCorp\/status\/1246111640988323842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Plans to fly <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\">Blue Origin<\/a>&#8216;s New Shepard this month sparks dissension<\/strong> within the company ranks due to corona virus concerns:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2020\/4\/2\/21198272\/blue-origin-coronavirus-leaked-audio-test-launch-workers-jeff-bezos\">Jeff Bezos\u2019 space company is pressuring employees to launch a tourist rocket during the pandemic &#8211; The Verge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2020\/amid-rapidly-evolving-coronavirus-outbreak-blue-origins-launch-plans-spark-debate\/\">Amid \u2018rapidly evolving\u2019 outbreak, Blue Origin\u2019s launch plans spark debate \u2013 GeekWire<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The company management responds that they are taking proper precautions and not planning any layoffs: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/04\/03\/bezos-blue-origin-says-it-is-hiring-denies-report-of-possible-layoffs.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bezos&#8217; Blue Origin says it is hiring, denies report of possible layoffs &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>**<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/\"> Firefly<\/a> to apply launcher technology to lunar lander<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/04\/01\/in-parallel-with-rocket-development-firefly-offers-details-on-lunar-lander-initiative\/\">In parallel with rocket development, Firefly launches lunar lander initiative \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>A souped-up version of the Israeli Beresheet moon lander built in Texas could be ready to carry NASA science and technology payloads to the lunar surface before the end of 2022, according to officials from Firefly Aerospace.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Firefly\u2019s Genesis lander is one of several major projects being developed by the company headquartered just north of Austin, Texas.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The company is also developing the Alpha small satellite launcher, and a bigger rocket named Beta is on the drawing board.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Officials hope to learn this month whether NASA will sign Firefly to deliver experiments to the moon.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21572\" style=\"width: 386px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/gallery\/#lg=1&amp;slide=24\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21572\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21572\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1.png\" data-orig-size=\"868,1125\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Genesis Lunar Lander\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Genesis Lunar Lander proposed by Firefly and partners for missions to the Moon&amp;#8217;s south pole in 2022. Credits: Firefly&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1-790x1024.png\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21572\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1-386x500.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"386\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1-386x500.png 386w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1-790x1024.png 790w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1-768x995.png 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Genesis-Lunar-Lander1.png 868w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Genesis Lunar Lander proposed by Firefly and partners for missions to the Moon&#8217;s south pole in 2022. Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/gallery\/#lg=1&amp;slide=24\">Firefly<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/03\/firefly-outlines-plans-to-expand-beyond-small-satellite-launch\/\">Firefly targets summer launch, unveils plans for lunar delivery service | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/elizabethhowell1\/2019\/07\/09\/firefly-will-use-beresheet-lander-tech-to-land-on-the-moon\/#c5370587bcb3\">Firefly Will Use Beresheet Lander Tech To Land On The Moon &#8211; Forbes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/westeastspace.com\/2020\/04\/03\/china-new-space-in-2020-catching-up\/\">China New Space in 2020 catching up. | West East Space<\/a> &#8211; Update on Chinese startup launcher companies.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/odysseus-momentus\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Momentus signs up Taiwanese customer for Vigoride flight &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a> &#8211; Space tug company gaining customers in Asia<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/04\/the-worlds-largest-aircraft-will-now-test-hypersonics-for-the-military\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The world\u2019s largest aircraft will now test hypersonics for the military | Ars Technica<\/a> &#8211; More about Stratolaunch&#8217;s hypersonic vehicle plans.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/orbit-fab-gets-award-to-test-satellite-refueling-technology\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Orbit Fab gets award to test satellite refueling technology &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a> &#8211; See also the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orbitfab.space\/\">Orbit Fab<\/a> website for more info.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bwxt.com\/what-we-do\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-ntp\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nuclear Thermal Propulsion &#8211; BWX Technologies, Inc.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/isec.z2systems.com\/np\/clients\/isec\/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=14e74bd503a42b42ee702d257fe294431m43631214e\">Int. Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) Newsletter &#8211; April 2020<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">==================<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Check out the<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thelurioreport.com\/\"><strong>The Lurio Report<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nfor news and analysis of key developments in NewSpace<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The latest issue:<br \/>\n<em><strong>Starship Factory, Axiom\u2019s Modules, Starliner Revelations<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<em><strong>Vol. 15, No. 2, March 28, 2020<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Space Frontier Foundation Award for NewSpace Journalism<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">==================<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"SpaceX\"><\/a>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Cargo Dragon for CRS-20 mission to depart from ISS and return to Earth<\/strong> on April 6th: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-tv-to-air-us-cargo-ship-departure-from-space-station-1\">NASA TV to Air U.S. Cargo Ship Departure from Space Station | NASA<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Filled with more than 4,000 pounds of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo, a SpaceX Dragon resupply spacecraft is set to leave the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station\">International Space Station<\/a> Monday, April 6. NASA Television and the agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasalive\">website<\/a> will broadcast its departure live beginning at 9:30 a.m. EDT.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Robotic flight controllers at mission control in Houston will issue commands at 9:52 a.m. to release Dragon using the station\u2019s Canadarm2 robotic arm. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/expeditions\/expedition62\/index.html\">Expedition 62<\/a> Flight Engineer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/astronauts\/biographies\/andrew-r-morgan\">Drew Morgan<\/a> of NASA will back up the ground controllers and monitor Dragon\u2019s systems as it departs the orbital laboratory.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Dragon will fire its thrusters to move a safe distance from the station, then execute a deorbit burn as it heads for a parachute-assisted splashdown around 3:40 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of Long Beach, California. The splashdown will not air on NASA TV.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Dragon launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket March 6 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and arrived at the space station three days later.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>NASA&#8217;s &#8220;retro, modern&#8221; worm logo festoons the side of the Falcon 9 booster<\/strong> for the crew demo mission set to go to the ISS in May: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/the-worm-is-back\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Worm is Back! | NASA<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The worm is back. And just in time to mark the return of human spaceflight on American rockets from American soil.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The retro, modern design of the agency\u2019s logo will help capture the excitement of a new, modern era of human spaceflight on the side of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle that will ferry astronauts to the International Space Station as part of the Demo-2 flight, now scheduled for mid- to late May.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21570\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21570\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/the-worm-is-back\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21570\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21570\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"985,657\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1585770141&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Demo-2 NASA Logo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-21570 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007-500x334.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/demo-2_nasa-logo-20200401-img_4007.jpg 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21570\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NASA&#8217;s &#8220;worm&#8221; logo on the side of the booster for the first Crew Dragon flight with astronauts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>** <strong>Tests continue in preparation for first crewed flight of Dragon 2 to the ISS<\/strong>: NASA Flickr<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>On Monday, March 30, 2020 at a SpaceX processing facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, SpaceX successfully completed a fully integrated test of critical crew flight hardware ahead of Crew Dragon\u2019s second demonstration mission to the International Space Station for NASA&#8217;s Commercial Crew Program; the first flight test with astronauts onboard the spacecraft. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley participated in the test, which included flight suit leak checks, spacecraft sound verification, display panel and cargo bin inspections, seat hardware rotations, and more. Photo credit: SpaceX<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"KSC-20200330-PH-SPX01_0001\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nasakennedy\/49727102273\/in\/photostream\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\" data-context=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49727102273_68ecc12d37.jpg\" alt=\"KSC-20200330-PH-SPX01_0001\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/04\/03\/crew-training-continues-for-spacexs-first-launch-with-astronauts\/\">Crew training continues for SpaceX\u2019s first launch with astronauts \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-spacex-simulate-upcoming-crew-mission-with-astronauts\">NASA, SpaceX Simulate Upcoming Crew Mission with Astronauts | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Watch astronauts rehearse arrival at the pad and entering Crew Dragon<\/strong>. This is part of the preparation for the first crewed Dragon 2 mission to the ISS:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley walking down the crew access arm to Crew Dragon, which was positioned on top of a Falcon 9 rocket before the inflight abort test. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IHlLFw2jsy\">pic.twitter.com\/IHlLFw2jsy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thesheetztweetz\/status\/1246108829709938690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">After the checkup, Behnken and Hurley went back to their Tesla Model X rides and headed out. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6GxDczus1Z\">pic.twitter.com\/6GxDczus1Z<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thesheetztweetz\/status\/1246112135404556289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>******<strong> New design for the Starship\u00a0 legs:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Yes, v close! Nice work. Those are V0.9 legs, so major upgrades coming. Need wider span, longer stroke &amp; ability to auto-level for uneven ground or leaning into high winds.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1245459132175417344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>The Starship takes advantage of the connection to Tesla<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-tesla-battery-packs-motors\/\">SpaceX Starship outfitted with Tesla battery packs and motors &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Following in the footsteps of the late Mk1 vehicle, SpaceX\u2019s latest Starship prototype has been outfitted with several Tesla battery packs and motors over the last few weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>CEO Elon Musk has confirmed in the past that SpaceX intends to try to use Tesla batteries to power Starship rockets and Tesla motors to drive the ships\u2019 large aerodynamic control surfaces. By all appearances, a Tesla Model S motor\u2019s appearance on the exterior of a Starship prototype recently moved to the launch pad is a first for SpaceX. However, in 2019, SpaceX at one point planned to use and even installed battery packs on Starship Mk1 components before the ship was prematurely destroyed during testing. The nosecone those battery packs were installed in still sits in the middle of SpaceX\u2019s growing Boca Chica rocket factory.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>For Starship SN3, the purpose of its ~200 kWh of battery power is rather self-explanatory. The purpose of the Tesla Model S motor recently installed on its side is much less clear.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>****** Videos from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight YouTube channel<\/a> show activities leading up to the SN3 test failure plus some scenes of the cleanup:<\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>March 31<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN3 Test Readiness\/SN4 Preps<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WjUxjRTqK5I?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>******\u00a0 <strong>April 2<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN3 comes to life as SN4 waits in the wings<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CZSVC-fpGr4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>April 3<\/strong>: SpaceX&#8217;s Starship SN3 prototype fails cryogenic proof test<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wFXQ5SRCy74?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>******<strong> April 3<\/strong>:\u00a0 SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN3 remains dismantled<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PwgOJVGCxtA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>===<\/em><strong><em> Amazon Ad <\/em><\/strong><em>===<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/149079655X\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=149079655X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=657d30fb3b908f934c95d12a7eb87dc0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships:<br \/>\nThe History of High-power Rocketry&#8217;\u0092s Ascent to the Edges of Outer Space<\/a><\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=149079655X\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=hobbyspace&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=149079655X&amp;asins=149079655X&amp;linkId=ea1dd6da767642076473b783d8663a0f&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><span style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Starship prototype SN3 collapses near end of pressure testing of propellant tanks. Rather than an explosive rupture as in previous tank failures, the center tank just crumpled and collapsed. Apparently, the weight of the liquid nitrogen in the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21566\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Apr.4.2020<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5BQ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20961,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20961","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":0},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; June.29.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"January 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX successfully launched a fourth batch of 60 Starlink satellites today from Cape Canaveral. The first stage booster landed safely and one of the two nosecone fairings was caught in a net on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/200128-F-F3456-10021-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21840,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21840","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":1},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; May.14.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Two launches from Cape Canaveral this weekend:\u00a0 Back-to-back launches scheduled from Cape Canaveral this weekend \u2013 Spaceflight Now **** Saturday, May 16th, a ULA Atlas V rocket will take a X-37B spaceplane into\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AstronautsPracticeDocking-SpaceX-500x400.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":26651,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=26651","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":2},"title":"Roundup: Reusable rocket vehicles &#8211; May.8.2024","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Below is a collection of news and updates on reusable rocket powered vehicles in operation and in development. See also these previous roundups: Mar.27.2024 Feb.26.2024 Nov.17.2023 Such technology should eventually lead to space transports with aircraft-like operation. That is, orbital flight and return followed by rapid reflight with minimal preparation.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/PerformanceComparison-MuskTalk-2024-04-04_1000x606-500x303.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20759,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20759","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":3},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Jan.13.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"January 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX test fired Falcon 9 on Pad 39A on Saturday in preparation for the in-flight abort (IFA) test of the Crew Dragon space. The test is currently set to lift off on January\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Investors-500x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21722,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21722","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":4},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Mar.27.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Starship prototype SN4 heads for low altitude test flight after passing propellant tank pressure testing. According to Elon Musk, a single Raptor engine will be attached to SN4 this week. After a static\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WingComponents-img_7519_1000x751-500x376.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22473,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22473","url_meta":{"origin":21566,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.7.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** A big week for SpaceX.\u00a0 On Sunday the Crew Dragon returned safely to earth.\u00a0 On Tuesday the SN5 Starship Prototype flew up and down at Boca Chica Beach, Texas. And early Friday morning,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"Starship SN5 Hop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/50192510273_472b0531f7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21566"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21575,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21566\/revisions\/21575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}