{"id":22473,"date":"2020-08-07T12:31:33","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T16:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22473"},"modified":"2020-08-20T16:51:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T20:51:07","slug":"space-transport-roundup-aug-7-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22473","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.7.2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5\">previous roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n<p><strong>** A big week for SpaceX<\/strong>.\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, a Falcon 9 launched 57 Starlink and 2 Blacksky earth observation satellites to low earth orbit. The F9 booster landed successfully as well.<\/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\/9_8z8Ale-BU?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>SN5 Starship Prototype took a short hop up to 150 meters and back down for a successful landing<\/strong>. Following several aborted attempts over the previous few days, the SN5 fired its Raptor engine and lifted off amid a huge cloud of smoke and debris. It rose up above the dusty turmoil and hung in the air briefly before slowly descending and disappearing into the umber cloud. Observers waited anxiously for the air to clear to see if the vehicle, which is basically just the propellant tanks section of a Starship,\u00a0 was still standing. Sure enough, it had landed on six stubby legs that had folded out from inside the metal skirt.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Starship SN5 Hop\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spacex\/50192510273\/in\/photostream\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/50192510273_472b0531f7.jpg\" alt=\"Starship SN5 Hop\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"und\">SN5 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GlZ28KFVHU\">pic.twitter.com\/GlZ28KFVHU<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1291504220948951041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 6, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Here is a small sample of videos taken by an array of SpaceX and privately owned cameras trained on the SN5:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SpaceX<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/s1HA9LlFNM0?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<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\"><strong>NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Under the roar of Raptor, Starship SN5 took flight during a successful 150m test hop at Boca Chica. Mary (@BocaChicaGal) had several cameras filming this historic event, with editing by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).<\/em><\/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\/EXm76nZG-so?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<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/LabPadre\/videos\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LabPadre &#8211; YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/pJvEEp1i9K0?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<ul>\n<li>\n<div id=\"container\" class=\"style-scope ytd-channel-name\">\n<div id=\"text-container\" class=\"style-scope ytd-channel-name\"><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC6uKrU_WqJ1R2HMTY3LIx5Q\"><strong>Everyday Astronaut<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/ugVZ41USN_0?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>** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\"><strong>NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/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\/nTeeT4WVIfY?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>Misc.:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/08\/05\/spacex-launches-lands-starship-prototype-rocket-in-short-flight-test.html\">SpaceX launches, lands Starship prototype rocket in short flight test &#8211; CNBC.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/08\/an-early-version-of-starship-takes-its-first-tentative-steps-off-earth\/\">An early version of Starship takes its first tentative steps off Earth | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/05\/spacex-clears-big-hurdle-on-next-gen-starship-rocket-program\/\">SpaceX clears big hurdle on next-gen Starship rocket program \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mainenginecutoff.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/starship-sn5-flew-prediction-check-in\">Starship SN5 Flew, So Let\u2019s Check In on Some Predictions &#8211; Main Engine Cut Off<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spacex\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Official SpaceX Photos | Flickr<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>**** The first Crew Dragon mission with astronauts on board ends with a splashdown in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico<\/strong>. SpaceX&#8217;s Commercial Crew Demonstration Mission 2 (DM-2) went nearly flawlessly from beginning to end.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Tracking footage of Crew Dragon\u2019s descent, parachute deployments and splashdown <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pzbm1iXCC6\">pic.twitter.com\/pzbm1iXCC6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1290478601804996609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 4, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DM-2 highlights from launch to landing<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/iaeNBjIoPa8?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<ul>\n<li><strong>The DM-2 astronauts give their accounts of the mission:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley discuss their SpaceX Demo-2 mission, 62-day stay on the International Space Station and successful return inside their Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The duo splashed down at 2:48 p.m. EDT Aug. 2 in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida, following launch from Kennedy Space Center\u2019s historic Launch Pad 39A at 3:22 p.m. May 30. They arrived at the station\u2019s Harmony port, their spacecraft docking at 10:16 a.m. May 31. This was SpaceX\u2019s final test flight and is providing data on performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, splashdown, and recovery operations.<\/em><\/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\/IEY-Pd5YL6k?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>Misc:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/08\/demo2-splashdown-in-gulf\/\">Demo-2 safely returns Bob and Doug to Earth to conclude historic start to new Commercial Era &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/02\/astronauts-back-on-earth-after-near-flawless-dragon-test-flight\/\">Astronauts back on Earth after \u2018extraordinary\u2019 Dragon test flight \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/08\/after-a-splendid-flight-test-nasa-now-has-a-new-ride-to-space\/\">After a splendid flight test, NASA now has a new ride to space | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/crew-dragon-splashes-down-to-end-successful-test-flight\/\">Crew Dragon splashes down to end successful test flight &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/deno-2-astronauts-praise-performance-of-crew-dragon-spacecraft\/\">Demo-2 astronauts praise performance of Crew Dragon spacecraft &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Find more on <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5#SpaceX\">SpaceX activities below&#8230;<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Russian Proton rocket launches two tele-comm satellites<\/strong> for the <span class=\"s1\">Ekspress satellite network.<\/span><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/07\/proton-dual-ekspress-launch\/\">Russian Proton-M successfully launches dual Ekspress satellites &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/07\/30\/proton-rocket-lifts-off-with-two-russian-express-comsats\/\">Proton rocket lifts off with two Russian Express comsats \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thalesgroup.com\/en\/worldwide\/space\/press-release\/russian-express-80-and-express-103-communications-satellites\">Russian Express-80 and Express-103 communications satellites embarking Thales Alenia Space payloads, successful launched | Thales Group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Express-80 and Express-103 communications satellites have been successfully launched by the launcher Proton from the Cosmodrome of Baikonour in Kazaksthan.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The satellites are the result of the partnership between the Russian company ISS Reshetnev, providing the H1000 platforms and Thales Alenia Space, a Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) joint venture, providing the payloads.<\/em><\/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\/AO9Np9_YX3A?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>China Long March-2D rocket launches Gaofen-9 remote sensing satellite<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2020-08\/06\/c_139269468.htm\">China launches new optical remote-sensing satellite &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/08\/chinese-long-march-2ds-50th-latest-gaofen-9\/\">Chinese Long March 2D&#8217;s 50th launch lofts latest Gaofen-9 satellite &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/CSSx_ox7AYQ?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>** <a href=\"https:\/\/astra.com\/\"><strong>Astra<\/strong><\/a><strong> scrubs launch attempt from Kodiak Island, Alaska<\/strong>. There was no webcast of Thursday&#8217;s attempted launch but there were updates via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Astra\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Astra (@Astra) \/ Twitter<\/a>.\u00a0 Just before ignition was to happen, the water deluge system &#8220;lost pressure&#8221;. The water floods the pad area below the rocket to reduce the acoustic energy of the exhaust.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8220;We are going to stand down to fix the issue.&#8221;\u00a0 They said, &#8220;Rocket is in excellent shape, we will try again tomorrow.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Astra&#8217;s described their launch plans here: <a href=\"https:\/\/astra.com\/blog\/rocket-3-1\/\">Rocket 3.1 And Astra\u2019s Path To Orbit | Astra<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Rocket 3.1 will launch from Astra\u2019s Kodiak Launch Site (pad LP-3B at <a href=\"https:\/\/akaerospace.com\/spaceports\/\">Pacific Spaceport Complex<\/a> \u2013 Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island). We are proud to partner with the team at PSCA and are grateful for their support.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Our launch window is from August 2-7, 7:00 \u2013 9:00pm Pacific Time (PT) each day. We are aiming for August 2, subject to weather constraints and final launch preparations being completed.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This is a demonstration mission, and therefore Rocket 3.1 will not have a payload. We did not feel it was appropriate to risk a customer satellite for our first orbital launch attempt. That said, if Rocket 3.1 does make it to orbit, the vehicle will send an electronic signal that simulates the deployment of a satellite.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>So Friday will be their last chance in this launch window. They suffered scrubs earlier this week as well:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/08\/astra-launch-maiden-orbital-test-flight\/\">Wayward boat scrubs Astra&#8217;s maiden orbital test flight &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/01\/astra-readies-small-satellite-launcher-for-test-flight-from-alaska\/\">Astra readies small satellite launcher for test flight from Alaska \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Astra\u2019s mantra is rapid iteration. Build, test, learn and repeat. We\u2019re changing the way space is done by accepting slightly more risk in order to learn more quickly. We can afford to experiment because our rockets are far less expensive than the industry average. We aren\u2019t afraid of failure; in fact, as long as we learn from it, failure is valuable and ultimately built into the plan.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>It\u2019s rare that a new launch vehicle accomplishes all of its objectives with its first flight, and the past few months in the launch industry have once again proven just how hard getting to space can be, even for mature vehicles. That said, we believe that we can achieve orbit <strong>within 3 flights<\/strong>, and our goal for Rocket 3.1 is to learn enough to set us on that path.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">T-60 minutes, Rocket is vertical! Third time&#8217;s the charm &#x1f91e;<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f4f8; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/johnkrausphotos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@johnkrausphotos<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZRkLKzAVpW\">pic.twitter.com\/ZRkLKzAVpW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Astra (@Astra) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Astra\/status\/1291540364923305984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 7, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rocket Lab<\/a> to resume Electron launches after finding cause of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-mission-fails-to-reach-orbit\/\">failure in July<\/a> mission<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-to-resume-electron-launches-in-august\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rocket Lab to Resume Electron Launches in August | Rocket Lab<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Rocket Lab today announced that it has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume launches this month after identifying an anomalous electrical connection as the cause of an in-flight failure on July 4, 2020. With corrective measures underway, the next Electron launch has been scheduled for August from Launch Complex 1. <\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Over the past month, Rocket Lab has collaborated on an investigation with the support of the FAA, the primary federal licensing body for commercial space launch activity. Rocket Lab\u2019s Accident Investigation Board (AIB) worked through an extensive fault tree analysis to examine all potential causes for the anomaly that took place late into Rocket Lab\u2019s 13<sup>th<\/sup> launch.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>On July 4, 2020, the Electron launch vehicle successfully lifted-off from Launch Complex 1 and proceeded through a nominal first stage engine burn, Stage 1-2 separation, Stage 2 ignition, and fairing jettison as planned. Several minutes into the second stage burn, the engine performed a safe shutdown resulting in a failure to reach orbit. Due to the controlled way the engine shut down, Rocket Lab continued to receive telemetry from the vehicle, providing engineers with extensive data to conduct a robust investigation into the issue.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>After reviewing more than 25,000 channels of data and carrying out extensive testing, Rocket Lab\u2019s AIB was able to confidently narrow the issue down to a single anomalous electrical connection. This connection was intermittently secure through flight, creating increasing resistance that caused heating and thermal expansion in the electrical component. This caused the surrounding potting compounds to liquefy, leading to the disconnection of the electrical system and subsequent engine shutdown. The issue evaded pre-flight detection as the electrical connection remained secure during standard environmental acceptance testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, and thermal cycle tests.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Peter Beck, Rocket Lab\u2019s founder and CEO, said the issue had never been observed before across the company\u2019s previous 12 Electron launches. \u201cThe issue occurred under incredibly specific and unique circumstances, causing the connection to fail in a way that we wouldn\u2019t detect with standard testing. Our team has now reliably replicated the issue in test and identified that it can be mitigated through additional testing and procedures.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>More from Virgin Orbit about the LauncherOne failure<\/strong> on the first attempt to go to orbit: <a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\/wrapping-up-our-first-launch-demo-and-looking-ahead-to-launch-demo-2\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wrapping Up Our First Launch Demo, and Looking Ahead to Launch Demo-2 | Virgin Orbit<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Soon, we were able to identify the cause of the failure that ended our first Launch Demo: a breach in the high-pressure line carrying cryogenic Liquid Oxygen (LOX) to our first stage combustion chamber due to a component failure. Without a supply of oxidizer, that engine soon stopped providing thrust, ending our powered flight and ultimately the test itself.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>In the business of launch vehicles, finding the direct cause of any failure of any flight is incredibly important, but certainly not sufficient. In order to truly get to the root of the issue, it is important to ask why after why after why. If the answer to the first why is \u201cbecause the high-pressure LOX line failed,\u201d then the second why must be \u201cwhy did it fail?\u201d That in turn must be followed by more whys \u2014 including \u201cwhy didn\u2019t we anticipate this failure,\u201d \u201cwhy wasn\u2019t this failure observed in our earlier testing,\u201d and more. To all of these, you must add in a healthy dose of \u201cwhat else could have happened,\u201d \u201cwhat would this failure have looked like if it occurred at a different point in the mission,\u201d and hundreds more questions. Creating a robust fault tree or fishbone diagram is important, especially for those visual learners.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Autodesk makes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/campaigns\/firefly?wvideo=49l1ndf9r8\">video<\/a> about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firefly.com\">Firefly<\/a> and their use of their software<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/campaigns\/firefly\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Firefly Aerospace: Inside the New Space Race &#8211; Autodesk<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/campaigns\/firefly?wvideo=49l1ndf9r8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/embed-fastly.wistia.com\/deliveries\/94b3c715576c0c47f0d49aece89a5b49.jpg?image_play_button_size=2x&amp;image_crop_resized=960x540&amp;image_play_button=1&amp;image_play_button_color=faa21be0\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/mainenginecutoff.com\/podcast\/167\"><strong>Episode T+167: Phillip Hargrove, NASA Launch Services Program<\/strong> &#8211; Main Engine Cut Off<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FlightMastrPhil\">Phillip Hargrove<\/a>, a Launch Vehicle Trajectory Analyst at NASA joins me to talk about NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/kennedy\/launchingrockets\/index.html\">Launch Services Program<\/a>. We discuss how LSP interacts with mission teams like <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/\">Mars 2020 Perseverance<\/a>, launch providers like United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, and what kind of work they tackle in their unique role tying it all together.<\/em><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-22473-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.simplecast.com\/audio\/232ec5\/232ec5f9-c8b1-4198-a24e-3a96d4edfad7\/6fa0f51c-d74a-4cd0-a945-aa06649408d6\/t-167_tc.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.simplecast.com\/audio\/232ec5\/232ec5f9-c8b1-4198-a24e-3a96d4edfad7\/6fa0f51c-d74a-4cd0-a945-aa06649408d6\/t-167_tc.mp3\">https:\/\/cdn.simplecast.com\/audio\/232ec5\/232ec5f9-c8b1-4198-a24e-3a96d4edfad7\/6fa0f51c-d74a-4cd0-a945-aa06649408d6\/t-167_tc.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>** <strong>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\">ULA<\/a> Atlas V launch of Perseverance rover from onboard cameras<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/06\/video-rocketcams-show-mars-bound-rovers-ride-into-space\/\">Video: Rocketcams show Mars-bound rover\u2019s ride into space \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/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\/NAkEOHhYuSo?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>Check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\">Blue Origin<\/a>&#8216;s ship for landing New Glenn boosters<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kylemphoto.com\/Galleries\/BlueOriginLPV\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blue Origin LPV &#8211; Kyle Montgomery Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/\"><strong>Sierra Nevada Corp<\/strong><\/a><strong> puts several <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SierraNevCorp\">posts on Twitter<\/a> about their propulsion research<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This is a thruster for our Dream Chaser\u00ae spaceplane. VORTEX\u00ae engine technology provides high combustion efficiency while keeping the engine cool. The propellants then burn by themselves. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/as6Ps2Egsb\">pic.twitter.com\/as6Ps2Egsb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sierra Nevada Corporation (@SierraNevCorp) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SierraNevCorp\/status\/1291056464417751040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 5, 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.pldspace.com\/es\/\"><strong>PLD Space<\/strong><\/a><strong> of Spain gave an update at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smallsat.org\">SmallSat Conference<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Spanish launch startup <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PLD_Space?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PLD_Space<\/a> shared some details about its Miura-5 rocket (300kg to LEO), including an outline of first-stage reusability and some performance characteristics from notional launch sites. No date give for a first flight. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RLbD6TDIFN\">pic.twitter.com\/RLbD6TDIFN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Caleb Henry (@CHenry_SN) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CHenry_SN\/status\/1290318378348019713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 3, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrora.com\/\">Skyrora<\/a> to launch suborbital rocket from Iceland:<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Skyrora&#8217;s launch crew have successfully arrived at the launch site in the Langanes Peninsula in Iceland, where we will be launching the suborbital Skylark Micro rocket for the first time. T-minus 5 days until our first launch window arrives! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Readytolaunch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Readytolaunch<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Liftoff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Liftoff<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Rocketlaunch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Rocketlaunch<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sW0I7AHhpO\">pic.twitter.com\/sW0I7AHhpO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Skyrora (@Skyrora_Ltd) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Skyrora_Ltd\/status\/1291722980419162113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 7, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Another tour of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virgingalactic.com\">Virgin Galactic<\/a> SpaceShipTwo interior<\/strong>:<\/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\/Y9pBP6Az3n8?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>The latest report from VG<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/08\/03\/virgin-galactic-earnings-for-q1-2020.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Virgin Galactic earnings for Q2 2020 &#8211; CNBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Virgin Galactic provided a significant update to its development timeline, saying its next test spaceflight will occur \u201cthis fall,\u201d with just two test pilots on board. Then the company will fly a second time, with four \u201cmission specialists\u201d inside the spacecraft\u2019s cabin. If both test flights succeed, Virgin Galactic expects to fly Branson in early 2021, which would mark the beginning of its commercial service.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/07\/rocket-report-georgia-spaceport-fight-is-contentious-proton-set-for-2020-debut\/\">Rocket Report: SpaceX seeks 20km hop license, why Rocket Lab funder left | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reason.com\/2020\/07\/29\/the-private-space-race\/\">The Private Space Race \u2013 Reason.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/small-launch-industry-sees-pandemic-government-affecting-market\/\">Small launch industry sees pandemic, government affecting market &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/technology\/2020\/08\/02\/lift-off-shetlands-edinburgh-based-skyrora-leading-britains\/\">Lift-off from the Shetlands: How Edinburgh-based Skyrora is leading Britain&#8217;s charge into space &#8211; Telegraph<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/small-launch-startup-abl-secures-over-90-million-in-new-funding-and-air-force-contracts\/\">Small launch startup ABL secures over $90 million in new funding and Air Force contracts &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespacereview.com\/article\/3999\/1\">Propelling Perseverance: The legacy of Viking is helping NASA get to Mars &#8211; The Space Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/isec.z2systems.com\/np\/clients\/isec\/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=09dc41733070d1edd43b71a9098772a20m66561209d\">August 2020 Edition of the ISEC Newsletter &#8211; International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/05\/ula-spacex-win-contracts-to-launch-satellites-for-ses-in-2022\/\">ULA, SpaceX win contracts to launch satellites for SES in 2022 \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/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>Changes Here, Starliner Analysis, OneWeb &#8211; A UK View<br \/>\nVol. 15, No. 5, July 24, 2020<br \/>\n<\/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>The\u00a0 Starlink launch came after several scrubs<\/strong> since June due to weather and technical issues.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/06\/falcon-9-starlink-9-blacksky-mission-status-center-2\/\">Live coverage: SpaceX launches more Starlinks from Kennedy Space Center \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/08\/06\/after-delays-falcon-9-rocket-back-on-launch-pad-with-starlink-satellites\/\">After delays, Falcon 9 rocket back on launch pad with Starlink satellites \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/08\/spacex-launch-starlink-v1-0-l9-mission\/\">SpaceX ready for another try of Starlink v1.0 L9 launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Falcon 9\u2019s first stage booster was on its fifth flight. It previously launched two Starlink missions, the crew-less Crew Demo-1 mission, and the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. The fairing halves were not caught in the nets on the recovery boats. No word yet on whether they were retrieved from the water.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Deployment of 57 Starlink satellites confirmed <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/myKxr3QSTu\">pic.twitter.com\/myKxr3QSTu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1291626962411126784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 7, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"Starship\"><\/a>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Following the SN5 hop described above,\u00a0 Elon Musk made some comments <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/with_replies\">on Twitter<\/a> regarding what comes next:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;<em>V1.1 legs will be ~60% longer. V2.0 legs will be much wider &amp; taller \u2014 like Falcon, but capable of landing on unimproved surfaces &amp; auto-leveling.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<li>Next steps?\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;<em>We\u2019ll do several short hops to smooth out launch process, then go high altitude with body flaps<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>When will there be a hop followed by a re-flight?\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;<em>Soon<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As seen in the videos below, there has been continuous activity in the assembly area at Boca Chica:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SN6 prototype has been sitting in the Mid-Bay hangar for a few weeks. A common assumption is that it is a backup for SN5 and probably won&#8217;t fly.<\/li>\n<li>SN7 was a subscale engineering model used to pressure test structural designs and welding techniques.<\/li>\n<li>SN8 is under construction and appears to be made of the more advanced steel alloys that will be used in the operational Starships.<\/li>\n<li>Several nosecones have been built. Some appear to be just for testing the assembly methods but others look like they are flight capable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>****<strong> The SN5 viewed from space<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Nice view of SpaceX\u2019s Starship SN5 taken by Maxar\u2019s WorldView-1 satellite yesterday. (credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Maxar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Maxar<\/a> ) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8lCzVDCjzw\">pic.twitter.com\/8lCzVDCjzw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jeff Foust (@jeff_foust) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jeff_foust\/status\/1289217092797861891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 31, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>Aug. 1<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; New Thrust Puck Delivered &#8211; Crews Work Towards 150m Hop &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Preparations for SN5&#8217;s 150m hop attempt are in full swing, meanwhile work at the launch and build sites has resumed following SN5&#8217;s successful static fire test and a series of severe storms. Mary spots a forward dome section that could be part of the next test tank (SN7.1) and also catches delivery of a new Thrust Puck. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer).<\/em><\/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\/Ko1V-a3sf98?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>Aug 3<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; As SN5 prepares to hop &#8211; new fins arrive &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship SN5 spent Monday preparing to conduct her 150 meter hop test (scrubbed). At the same time, hardware for future Starships included the arrival of new fins. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer).<\/em><\/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\/txbAKXuVrSo?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>Aug.5<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN8 enters Stacking Operations &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/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\/egDXR8vSwSY?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>Aug.6: <\/strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; High Bay moves to Level 3 &#8211; Test Tank SN7.1 preps &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As the Super Heavy High Bay moved into Level 3 assembly at SpaceX Boca Chica, the Starship SN7.1 Test Tank (made from 304L Steel) is waiting for aft dome\/skirt mate. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer).<\/em><\/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\/De-mleQgIp4?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> **** Other Starship and space transport reports<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Aug.5<\/strong>: SpaceX Starship 150m launch success &#8211; SN5 150 meter hop and landing &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBNHHEoiSF8pcLgqLKVugOw\">Marcus House<\/a><\/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\/ZCGWX_ejolw?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>Aug.5<\/strong>: SpaceX&#8217;s Shiny Stainless Steel Starship Prototype Takes Flight For The First Time &#8211; <a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCxzC4EngIsMrPmbm6Nxvb-A\">Scott Manley<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>After many iterations, and some spectacular accidents we finally got to see a StarShip tank and thrust section take flight for a 150m hop, demonstrating flight control systems using only a single raptor engine. This is a very visible step on the long road to developing Starship and Superheavy into a fully operational, fully reusable launch vehicle.<\/em><\/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\/NG9twP82Acw?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;\">=====<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>===<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fineartamerica.com\/featured\/spacex-delivers-the-goods-c-sergent-lindsey.html\"> The Art of C. Sergent Lindsey<\/a><\/strong> <strong>===<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22155\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22155\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fineartamerica.com\/featured\/spacex-delivers-the-goods-c-sergent-lindsey.html?product=iphone-case-cover&amp;orientation=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22155\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=22155\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"573,327\" 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=\"SpaceX Delivers -Phone Case\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-22155 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2-500x285.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2-500x285.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2.jpg 573w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22155\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/fineartamerica.com\/featured\/spacex-delivers-the-goods-c-sergent-lindsey.html\">SpaceX Delivers the Goods<\/a>&#8221; by <a href=\"http:\/\/csergentlindsey.com\/\">C. Sergent Lindsey<\/a> printed on phone cover. Available at <a href=\"https:\/\/fineartamerica.com\/featured\/spacex-delivers-the-goods-c-sergent-lindsey.html?product=iphone-case-cover&amp;orientation=2\">Fine Art America<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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, a Falcon 9 launched 57 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22473\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.7.2020<\/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":[5,106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets","category-space-transport-roundup"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5Qt","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22251,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22251","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":0},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; July.22.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX Falcon 9 launches S. Korean ANASIS-II milcomm sat with same booster used for ISS crew mission. The booster landed safely on an ocean platform. The 51 day turnaround time was the fastest\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\/06\/SweatShirt-large-line-item-2776701-e1591812922810-497x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21793,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21793","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":1},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; May.7.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX test fired the Raptor engine on the SN4 Starship prototype on two consecutive days. On Tuesday evening, a Raptor engine fired for the first time while mounted on a full scale Starship.\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\/InstalledOnStarshipSN4_May2020-500x309.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22140,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22140","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":2},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; July.7.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): [ Update: The launch was scrubbed due to thunderstorms in the area around the Cape. Another attempt will be made this Saturday, July 11th\u00a0 during a window between 10:49 am to 11:00 am EDT.\u00a0\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\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2-500x285.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21840,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21840","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":3},"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":22192,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22192","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":4},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; July.15.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Northrup Grumman Minotaur IV launches 4 NRO classified satellites from Virginia spaceport Wednesday morning. The modified Peacekeeper missile used four solid-fueled stages to put the satellites into low earth orbit. https:\/\/youtu.be\/wXsw8UNRQpk More at:\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\/07\/ShockwaveLiftoff-500x238.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22541,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22541","url_meta":{"origin":22473,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.15.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Ariane V set to launch today following\u00a0 two week delay. The window for the launch from the Guiana Space Center is 5:33pm - 6:20 pm EDT (21:33 - 22:20 UTC). The rocket will\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\/07\/SpaceXDelivers-PhoneCase_2-500x285.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\/22473","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=22473"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22498,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22473\/revisions\/22498"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}