Starbase Sunday #5
This article was written by Magnum, logan_sx27, OneMarsyboi, and Phantime
10 November 2024 - 16 November 2024
Welcome to the 5th article of Starbase Sunday! This was an exciting week, full of preparations ahead of Starship Flight 6, which you can read all about here and here.
Sunday 10th
Starbase
During the day, employees worked on the OLM, chopsticks, and launch site.
• 00:01am - The 6th Raptor Vacuum engine for Ship 33 enters Mega Bay 2 ahead of installation.
• 01:27am - A lift starts inspecting Ship 31.
• 03:06 am - Welding work on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) pipework.
• 04:05am - Welding work on the chopsticks.
• 12:42pm - Work on the OLM2 at Sanchez.
• 20:16pm - Welding work on the chopsticks
• 22:37pm - Welding work on the BQD
McGregor Raptor tests
There were no Raptor tests conducted at McGregor today.
Monday 11th
Starbase
Today was a big day since Ship 31 rolled to the Launch Site.
• 02:14am - Welding work starts on the OLM pipework.
• 13:23pm - Ship 31 rolls out of High Bay.
• 15:33pm - Ship 31 rolls back into High Bay after counterweights have been added to the SPMTs.
• 17:08pm - The Water Deluge System activates at Pad A and conducts a test.
• 18:46pm - Ship 31 rolls out of the High Bay and starts rolling at 19:07pm.
• 20:14pm - Ship 31 arrives at the Launch Site.
McGregor Raptor tests
There were no Raptor tests conducted at McGregor today.
Tuesday 12th
Starbase
Today, the drawworks were delivered and lifted for installation on Tower 2. This hardware is related to the chopsticks.
• 15:19pm - Drawworks motor arrives at the Rocket Factory.
• 15:27pm - Drawworks motor arrives at the Launch Site for installation on Tower 2.
• 15:49pm - Drawworks motor is lifted.
• 19:45pm - The 4th side section of OLM2 is lifted.
• 19:55pm - The 4th side section of OLM2 is released.
• 20:02pm - The Booster Transport Stand is parked in the Ring Yard.
• 21:50pm - Ship 34’s 1st transfer tube is lifted to the installation jig.
• 23:15pm - Ship 34’s 2nd transfer tube is lifted to the installation jig.
• 23:49pm - Ship 34’s 3rd transfer tube is lifted to the installation jig.
McGregor Raptor tests
• 12:31:34pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 4s
• 17:35:22pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 3s
Wednesday 13th
Starbase
Today, Booster 13 was rolled out of Mega Bay 1, awaiting rollout to the Launch Site.
• 04:16am - The Booster’s Transport Stand is moved into Mega Bay 1.
• 07:04am - Booster 16’s A5:4 section is staged outside the Ring Yard.
• 11:34am - Booster 13 is moved off the workstand.
• 14:58pm - SpaceX completes the “X” decal on the office building.
• 15:17pm - The Maarvin crane moves across the sides of the tower.
McGregor Raptor tests
• 09:03:37am - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 1s. Note: this test was a Raptor 3, and the test ended early for an abort or possibly an RUD.
• 16:56:54pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 14s
• 17:27:21pm - Raptor Vertical Stand - 10s
• 17:42:06pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 13s
• 18:22:21pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 16s
Thursday 14th
Starbase
Today was a busy day since Booster 13 arrived at the launch site and the 2 vehicles were stacked atop one another.
• 00:59am - Booster 13 arrives at the Launch Site.
• 01:52am - Booster 16’s A5:4 section moved in Mega Bay.
• 06:38am - Booster 13 is lifted onto the OLM.
• 08:54am - The Maarvin crane slowly lays down.
• 10:45am - The left Ship pin is deployed.
• 10:46am - The right Ship pin is deployed.
• 14:16pm - Pipeworks are lifted to the new hippos at the Orbital Tank Farm.
• 20:05pm - Ship 31 is lifted atop Booster 13.
• 23:48pm - Booster 16’s downcomer is moved towards the Mega Bay.
McGregor Raptor tests
• 09:04:06pm - Raptor Vertical Stand - 7s
• 09:21:59am - Raptor Vertical Stand - 1s
• 12:27:38pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 30s
• 14:55:22pm - Raptor Horizontal Stand - 20s
• 19:58:18pm - Raptor Vertical Stand - 130s / 2m10s
Friday 15th
Starbase
Today a few tests were conducted on the vehicles as preparations for Flight 6 continued.
• 00:40am - Ship Quick Disconnect is extended to the Ship.
• 01:45am - Stabilisation pins are removed.
• 07.50am - Booster 16’s downcomer is reoriented.
• 09:51am - BAART is moved down.
• 10:43am - The draw works dead-end spool cradle is spotted.
• 12:53pm - Booster 13 conducts an igniter test.
• 13:12pm - Booster 13 wiggles its grid fins.
• 13:44pm - Detonation Suppression System is activated.
• 14:18pm - Ship 31 conducts an igniter test.
• 17:02pm - Booster 16’s downcomer is lifted.
• 21:10pm - FTS (Flight Termination System) begins on Booster 13.
McGregor Raptor tests
• 10:36:01am - Raptor Vertical Stand - 75s / 1m15s
• 11:00:50am - Raptor Vertical Stand - 2s
Saturday 16th
Starbase
Today we saw the deliver of grid fins for Booster 14.
• 00:58am - The Booster’s transport stand is left at the Launch Site.
• 07:46am - Grid fin for Booster 14 is spotted and moved towards Mega Bay 1.
• 07.54am - The Ship’s transport stand is moved away from Pad A to a storage area.
• 08:01am - Another grid fin for Booster 14 is spotted and moved towards Mega Bay 1.
• 08:25am - That grid fin returns.
• 08:44am - Another grid fin for Booster 14 is spotted and moved towards Mega Bay 1, followed by the remaining 2 at 09:38am and 09:58am.
McGregor Raptor tests
There were no Raptor tests conducted today at McGregor.
Flight 6 is just around the corner, so be sure to read our articles about it!
