Animated Starship Plumbing Diagram V2

Key:
Red - Liquid Methane
Blue - Liquid Oxygen
This is a remake of an earlier video I made showing the internal plumbing of SpaceX's Starship prototype. Based on new information, I decided to remake the video to have a more accurate video that I think gets the information across better.
If you like to help support future videos: / c_bass3d
Twitter: / c_bass3d
Special Thanks to my Patrons:
John Barlow
Marcus House
NSS North Houston Space Society
Music Used: "Parbat" from Filmstro

[@NASASpaceflight]

To be linked every time someone asks "What the heck is a Header Tank?"

[@electronium6378]

lol

[@spidey885]

The tank on the head?

[@sypeiterra7613]

what about the footer tank

[@spidey885]

What's a thrustfuck?

[@oliversparks1459]

@@spidey885 Puck But Not Quite so Polite

[@LabPadre]

Excellent!

[@justspace9981]

Hello LabPadre!

[@nasawormlogo9521]

PabLadre

[@nemo_theescapist3343]

Wow, so it runs on Health and Mana potions... Amazing.

[@Yizahi]

SpaceX picked magica build, while Roskosmos chose stamina (UDMH).

[@PWingert1966]

Demons Blood and the tears of a tortured Angel

[@erikruser6047]

@@PWingert1966 I'm pretty sure that what UDMH and NTO actually are.

[@Puleczech]

You know the sound of gulping that potion. It's burned into your brain. "GOĽK"

[@johnbeech]

You encounter a silver fire breathing dragon standing before you; roll for initiative.

[@MarcusHouse]

Super awesome dude!

[@Mikelica69]

Yep!!

[@RandomGuy-nm6bm]

Hey heyyy

[@korrdavl]

It's amazingly well rendeted

[@Pfirsichaffe]

Hey Heyyy

[@TheAefril]

Very Well Done! thanks for showing the key - to be able to tell which is the LOX and the CH4 - where they are flowing/stored.

[@viettran3865]

SpaceX, please hire whoever did this animation. They could be a great contribution to your company.

[@JassonQuill]

no..send it to school or stay as youtuber lol

[@Muuip]

I agree! These visualizations can promote creativity to successful realization of SpaceX ideals.

[@blueey2938]

no...

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

They know that they don't need to make animations Because fans will do it for them

[@xploration1437]

You do realize they have engineers who design these rockets, right? Pretty sure they have design plans.

[@danielbruin]

Thats how they do it! Thanks man!

[@sett_keke1636]

T français toi?

[@georgDPua]

in the moment of free falling, wrong animation of gas. it does not work in this way. just drop transparent bottle with 20% of water in slow motion. + result are different depending on surface wetting coefficient. one more. there no reason to make extra tank just on the top, under head fairing. such design made useless impact to stabilisation, center of mass. so as engineer with rocket science degree, I could say that this video look like a fantasy. good to make corrections. because, current render misleads. have a nice one.

[@danielbruin]

@@georgDPua i think ur wrong, I'm sorry 😐 they for sure have the tank in top of nose. And it's for stability :)

[@JupiterVortex]

@@georgDPua bro, there’s tank on the top

[@Velocikektor]

@UFO Cat Why did you just link your own video on another YT page..

[@CdeCiencia]

This is incredible

[@martiddy]

CdeCool!

[@Juanoodi]

ssssSSS, empecemos!

[@xdead3488]

wow no me esperaba encontrarte psdt:eres un crack

[@edgardoyacante1010]

Martí te amo bb hace un video explicando cómo funciona la máquina que mide el experimento de la doble rendija porfav. Saludos desde Argentina

[@harutosunaa3881]

Yee

[@chillvader3435]

My brain: Drink the red Liquid Me: But its Liquid Methane My brain: Do it!

[@robossbomb0000]

Your animations looks better and better every time

[@spaceguy9025]

agreed, this is some top quality stuff

[@PetrMelechin]

Oh wow, this is amazing. This is the best video so far that explains how the header tanks work and why they're necessary.

[@RedRyan]

That's exactly what I was going to say! I was going to say this the best video ever of showing plumbing like that It makes total sense and is completely intuitive I think for anyone with this video

[@damo87araimo]

I'd love to know why the original design intent of autogenous back pressurisation failed in the fuel header. Did the LOX header work? Or are both headers being temporarily contained with Helium in SN9? Does anyone know?

[@JaspreetSingh-bh5hc]

I still don't get why header tank is necessary? Because the main tank is depleted?

[@rwhirsch]

@@JaspreetSingh-bh5hc it's a positional thing...when the rocket is horizontal there needs to be a feed to the engines to make it vertical again.

[@PetrMelechin]

@@damo87araimo AFAIK, the LOX header tank worked fine, so only the methane header tank will be pressurised with helium on SN9.

[@donjones4719]

You've done top notch work before, but this is beyond incredible. I'm finally able to understand how the methane header tank gets filled and stays filled. I know about the butterfly valves, and had it mostly figured out, but this seals the deal. And that's just for me - what a resource for everyone interested in Starship, from novice to veteran!

[@UpTheAnte1987]

The oxygen tank looks like a delicious cocktail

[@michaelvigil5321]

Blue Gatorade or deadly liquid oxygen? Doesn't matter it's blue and I'm drinking it

[@pspaces]

Superb work!!

[@ElonMusk-FanZone]

Very accurate visualization! Congrats!

[@GuyusSeralius]

This is one of the most visually satisfying, space-related videos I've ever seen! It truly captures the beauty and awe of space launch vehicles and of man's inventiveness. Well done!

[@archstanton1628]

There'll be a chick along soon to lecture you on Mavis who makes the tea, she's just as important as all the male nerds 😁

[@HowMoneyWorks]

Absolutely brilliant work. This stuff is NOT easy to make. Well done!

[@KarlUshanka]

The BEST 3 minutes on YT!

[@dlsgl407]

This.Is.Stunning. I literally gasped when the fill animation started. New patron with much glee. Thank you for sharing your talents in this way!

[@PWingert1966]

It amazing that you can fill a tank with that much Gatorade! and two different flavors too! 😁

[@novakt62]

After engine cutoff, it is "free fall" but air breaking causes a little negative g, so liquids in the tanks will be floating, or slowly rising to the top side. After apogee, the direction of air breaking force and acceleration will turn the opposite, so fluids will go back down. Anyways, amazing video!!! Many thanks!!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Wow!

[@bugwar5545]

Yep. Ya got that right.

[@AstronomicalYT]

1:21 The shadow is a cutaway too

[@yenthlydevolder7076]

hahaha

[@ateslabattery115]

It has shock diamonds too

[@boatchips7820]

@@ateslabattery115 i thought they were called Mach Diamonds?

[@shatteredxangel]

Pobody's nerfect.

[@ateslabattery115]

@@boatchips7820 both

[@MG-er6dm]

'It's all so beautiful. They should've sent a poet'. Simply epic! 😍

[@ius8998]

Good reference to "Contact"

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

They are planning to sens artists around the Moon. Aka Dear Moon.

[@AndyJ_Media]

Now subscribed! The music and visuals give hope to all as we embark on a new journey towards Space Exploration to the Moon and beyond. This video just gave me the chills! Amazing rendering too. Keep up the good work.

[@tomlahay1973]

This is unreal talent--thank you so much for all the hard work --it paid off and we get the benefit--WOW!!

[@metalfaceplates]

UN freaking believable! Your animation is amazing and I absolutely love it!! Thank you so much for doing this. I love it. I LOVE IT!!

[@technoadmin]

This is AMAZING work, I love it!

[@AndreCarneiro666]

OMG! That was AMAZING! So many details! You rock!

[@mariodistefano2973]

Oh, my! you did a *FANTASTIC* rendering !!!! WHOA! Thanks alot, since this sequence explained to me the purpose of the "header thank" and the other one for the Methane, and ALSO the need of them while descending !!! Thanks to you all

[@MatthewCable]

WOW!! Amazing work once again!

[@MK-xc7pl]

This is so good! Good job dude!

[@maryslittlehelpers8163]

Amazing, as always. Thank you for your hard work!

[@FairyWeatherMan]

This video is A W E S O M E How to explain some difficult concepts in an easy way. Very very good! I subscribed to your channel for other insane videos!

[@bassben7175]

Love your animations!!

[@lorrat4210]

Defenetly the most gorgeous and accurate starship animation I have seen so far!

[@lorrat4210]

@@grandelDR I am just a young rocket enthusiast.

[@lorrat4210]

@@grandelDR I defenetly agree with you, that there are so many missinformations, especialy on social media channels who do not usualy talk about rockets. But I think there are a few few people like Scott Manley or Marcus house who do thier research and care about giving correct informations. (I know that on youtube it is over simplified) I am german, sorry if my english is not the best.

[@jcf20010]

It's pretty but not accurate at all. One big mistake is when it's falling in the horizontal position the liquid in the main tanks will not be setting at the bottom/sides of the tanks. The liquid will be floating around inside the tanks because it's in free fall. If you don't believe me read about NASAs Vomit Comet. That's the plane they use to simulate short periods of weightlessness.

[@jcf20010]

@@lorrat4210 They are guessing too.

[@lorrat4210]

@@jcf20010 At the beginning it would float im the tank (not like ik the animation). But after some time Starship would encounter air drag. That is the whole point behind the bellyflop. Starship is decelerating, while the liqiud inside is not, untill it hits the bottom. It would experiens olny a very small portion of earths gravity (not like shown in the video). But I would defenetly not say the animation is "not accurate at all". I dont say it is super accurate. it is just more acurate that any other animation i have seen so far. Also in the NASAs Vomit Comet, the pilot carfully cancels out the air drag, so every thing inside is in true weighlessness.

[@drnerd]

Hats off to you, that's an amazingly clear animation!

[@c73mr0ck]

This is absolutely mind blowing - great work!!

[@devindykstra]

This is amazing!

[@vinaykit]

This is next level amazing.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

I never cease to be amazed at the incredible talent that’s out there. Beautiful! Thanks

[@shlomster6256]

Wow. Nicely, sharply done. Thanks!

[@StarshipFairing]

Amazing!

[@dejorgensen10]

I wonder if Elon sees this and goes, "That's cool!"

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

"That's accutate" And then few days later complete redisgn

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

"That's accutate" And then few days later complete redisgn

[@JeffSichoe]

"That's accutate" And then few days later complete redisgn

[@jayraldnavea3495]

"That's accutate" And then few days later complete redisgn

[@maximilianyuen]

"That's accutate" And then few days later complete redisgn

[@Fersman1972]

Incredible. Congrats!!! Really remarkable animation. Loved the backgrounds. Awesome job.

[@Darth_Revan25]

This is wonderful! Perfect video as ever. Love the detail.

[@oniontaylor]

Absolutely gorgeous! Is there any way to get a hold of that model? I'd LOVE to mod it into a 3D print

[@brettdatoad]

👆 YES

[@user2C47]

Replying because I also want to 3D print this.

[@lucaallemann5941]

.

[@SteveEhrmann]

Magnificent! the spectators go WILD!

[@krist6074]

Wow!!! This is incredible work man!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@MarsChroniken]

Woooow. And again! Great Work. Thank you for doing these animations and sharing them with us!

[@maurozirbes1960]

Man, if I were Elon, I would give you a job! Splendid work, congratulations!

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

"Not to worry, we're still flying half a ship"

[@matthewbuttery8529]

"Another happy landing." Hopefully it will be for SN9.

[@jbjuggler]

What an amazing video showing how it all works. Beautiful as well!! Thank you.

[@thirteenthandy]

That's just insanely cool. Wonderful job!

[@user-ps2ev6qm4w]

It is amazing. You deserve interesting of Elon !

[@eldencw]

Awesome video! Thanks. While accending, does the CH3 go through the header tank or around it?

[@CbassProductions]

Through. There are valves around the header tank that can close it off from the main tank after ascent.

[@astronut42]

It's CH4, and we don't really know. It would make sense that it goes through it though.

[@imconsequetau5275]

There are several large pipe inlets into the header tank right at the bottom of the main CH4 tank. I think pipes and valves inside the tank send the main fuel supply into the downtube. Valves can send the header tank contents instead.

[@cpowerbpower3339]

Fantastic work! The detail is incredible

[@rwhirsch]

very impressive...thanks for spending the time to do this.

[@Polishock]

SpaceX: Every governmental space agency: Write that down, write that down.

[@elliottsergent2558]

LOL , almost as funny as that dead dear! 🤣

[@LouisChiaki]

I was expecting it to explode when landed.

[@MatthewMarcus]

Wowza! This is sooooo cool! Thank you for creating this! I had no idea about the configuration of the inside structure or how it all worked. Very insightful!

[@gregfredericks5201]

Way cooler than I would have hoped for. Excellent video. Thanks

[@onalennasehume4586]

A few years ago I couldn't give two f***s about what rocket companies do. Now I'm a complete fanboy. Thank you

[@10siWhiz]

I'm going to go absolutely bananas if sn9 pulls off the landing

[@brentnorman6848]

Incredible animation and goes a long way to explain what is happening inside Starship. I am a huge fan of your work!

[@hefeibao]

Stunning. Thanks so much for creating and sharing this masterpiece. :)

[@snowstar3560]

China: "Write that down, write that down"

[@geraldfrost4710]

It's missing a few propitiatory details.

[@JeremyDWilliamsOfficial]

gerald frost like that ever stopped them from making cheap knockoffs lol.

[@sarcasmo57]

Reminds me of one of those drinking birds.

[@JaviAirwraps]

excllent work dood! What a gorgeous render

[@PotentiallyAndy]

That was very good. Very clear explanation of how it works. Beautiful model. Thank you for the time and effort you put into that.

[@Baleur]

So the header tank is there to ensure LOX pressure into the engines, even when the starship is sideways and the main LOX tank's fluid is not "on the bottom"?

[@lachyt5247]

They're also used to maintain fuel pressure. The first tank (from the bottom) is the LOX main, directly above it is the CH4 header followed by the CH4 main with the LOX header at the very top. The system will likely also be used when they get around to orbital refilling, a good way to defeat 0g sloshing.

[@geraldalbe6899]

@@lachyt5247 And also to have the right weight distribution and center of mass....

[@imconsequetau5275]

@@lachyt5247 Orbital "refilling" is done with acceleration. Hot-gas thrusters will maintain an _ullage_ gradient on the tanks, creating temporary "up" and "down". Then the receiving tanks will vent some vapor to maintain a lower pressure (and temperature), and perhaps the hot-gas thrusters will provide higher pressure (and heat energy) to the supply tanks.

[@siuloreto]

forgot to add the animated explosion at the end

[@JoeyBolohan]

Incredible footage and amazing work on the CG

[@mupster2]

Love your level of detail. Well done.

[@cptfalcon5101]

You forgot to have it explode after crashing into the pad.

[@MaddogJones]

You forgot two key systems, the autogenous pressurization system where heated methane is used to pressurize the methane header tank and the interim helium pressurization system (kept in COPV's) to keep the methane under sufficient pressure while they figure out the APS. The oxygen boils off quickly and therefore needs to be vented to prevent over pressure.

[@CbassProductions]

The two main pipes running up the side of the rocket are the return lines for the autogenous pressurization system. I don't know enough about SN9's header tank patch to model it accurately.

[@michaelsparks8632]

Probably one of the best sims I've ever seen, Thanks!

[@christopherrubicam4474]

Astonishing graphics! Thanks so much for the beautiful explanation of the upcoming flight.

[@mikknikls8356]

This should be in the instructions: how to become a fan of Elon Musk!

[@mashironekosora]

Вообще-то, начиная со второй минуты, симуляция кардинально не соответствует действительности, т.к. топливо в невесомости обтекает стенки и образует множество шариков внутри обьема бака, а не лежит на дне. Sheet happens.

[@user-wu3yi5eq2e]

Ой та хай😂😅

[@webcabbage]

Это неорбитальный тест. Даже наверху есть гравитация.

[@mashironekosora]

@@webcabbage Есть, но в данном случае погуглите "движение по инерции"

[@mattew_2795]

One of the cleanest animations of starship i've seen, awesome work!

[@reagzlynax5532]

Simply amazing... The animation we've all been waiting for.

[@elijahf111]

SpaceX has to put a live microphone feed inside the cargo bay of starship on sn10's launch

[@vnth2186]

I wouldn't recommend flying half a starship like that😅😅

[@alesksander]

Yeah not ideal. xD

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Yea... that would be Half Assed

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

"Not to worry, we're still flying half a ship"

[@tomomar123]

This is fantastic! Thank you for the effort!

[@pwells2389]

Fantastic animation! So much detail. Thank you.

[@hughmcdowell354]

Really good in every way! Just wow! Thanks for sharing 😀

[@skyprop]

Very nice. Great job. Visually answers a lot of people's questions.

[@freddiemartin9721]

Amazing, such a wonderful animation!! Well done!!! Thank you!!!

[@andreipendle1778]

This is an amazing animation! Major props for you!!!

[@robertlangley258]

That was a beautiful animation. Excellent liquid movement and clarity, I marvel at some folks’ abilities to create simulations like this. Well done.

[@Wurmfist]

This is a great animation, well done!

[@kroycincy0911]

That was absolutely outstanding man. Well done.

[@ariadnelecoutre9453]

Stunning render! Congrats!

[@41CV]

Fantastic animation.Keep up the good work!

[@WayneTheSeine]

Absolutely glorious production. The reactions of fuel to gravity in free fall was awesome. The transition to transparent was stunning indeed. So very well done C-Bass. Subed.

[@pyrofan80]

Nice job - thanks for doing this!

[@TheBillzilla]

A superb video, many thanks for making it.

[@nosknut]

Amazing editing! Camera movement is stunning and music choice unrivaled!

[@wowgabber123]

the model detail, it's so good. Very well done.

[@martinultimatevw3779]

Awesome work, thats alot of detailing and accurate. 💯🤜🤛

[@paleomanjim]

Man that was awesome! Thanks for sharing