SpaceX Ready For It's Biggest Challenge: Starship IFT3 Is Coming!

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Starship 28’s Raptors swapped just weeks before the launch! But why?
The assembly of the second tower has begun! Where’s the rest?
Starship will launch a space station! And Virgin Galactic is ceasing all spaceflight activity…
#SpaceX #starship #elonmusk #starbase
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Editing: John Young, Alex Potvin, Stefanie Schlang
Photography: John Cargile, John Winkopp & Stefanie Schlang
3D Animation: Voop3D
Script & Research: Eryk Gawron, Oskar Wrobel, Felix Schlang
Host: Felix Schlang
Production: Stefanie & Felix Schlang
Graphics & Media Processing: Jonathan Heuer, Felix Schlang
Credit:
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📄Links for this Episode:
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[@Whataboutit]

Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code FELIX for an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/felix Do you think we’ll see these four Starship Boosters launch this year?

[@MrComfyAustralia]

yes Elon is awesome!

[@appliedfacts]

I am confident that all four will lauch. With the construction of the second launch tower and the assembly buildings almost complete, it seems easy to launch all four boosters. Also, with Starship now able to go above the Karmen Line, FAA approval will not be so much of a delay. We are so close to having a Starship that can do missions!! 1🚀 2🚀 3🚀 4🚀

[@kenkahn138]

Are they making the tower taller to account for taller booster and starship future plans ? or modify them later.

[@anthonylosego]

Imagine if you put an inflatable in a Starship... how big can it get???

[@kosminuskosminus6668]

06:28 this easter egg made me laugh man Keep them coming ! Ps: very nice touch

[@evangray3120]

When you showed the 3 boosters in highbay all I could think was them strapped together like falcon heavy. 2:53

[@ReynoldsJer]

Damn never thought about that.. 😮 That would be a game changer

[@sysbofh]

That would be impressive - to say the least.

[@lyft4238]

Yesss I thought the same A Starship Heavy 😂

[@xBlackThoughts]

A "Super Heavy fu.....ing Mega Starship". ;-)

[@SlayerBG93]

Theoretically possible but what would one use it for. Even now we struggle to imagine something that would require 150 tons as a single unit. Launching 300ish tons in one go just wouldnt make sense. Much better to launch it in 2 standard launches.

[@Steven_Edwards]

Very rarely am I so fascinated by the novel concept of...a door. I can't wait until they actually start putting doors on StarShip. We willl have episodes for days.

[@shootloadrepeat]

LOL. Seems like we don't really need daily speculative videos. It's better to wait and have more concrete information rather than pumping out content for the sake of pumping out content.

[@Sirdzie]

I didn't know PVC is a type of plastic 😂😂😂

[@mirochlebovec6586]

Seeing those 3 booster side by side made me imagine a falcon heavy style starship😂

[@Kr0N05]

LOL ARE YOU MAD !? 😁 400 tons to LEO ???

[@mirochlebovec6586]

@@Kr0N05 Absolutely not. But imagine the stage 0 that that would need.

[@fridaycaliforniaa236]

Honestly, it would be a game changer for Mars missions. Given how many launches will be needed just for one mission, I guess a Hyper Heavy could be a really convenient idea 🧐

[@russc788]

Me too, but the structural engineering would be weighty.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@mirochlebovec6586 launch pad*

[@Skippu_2]

2:00 the seperation just looks so cool!

[@JohnPowell6]

If SpaceX can get the next mission safely to orbit, then I think they will launch 5 or 6 total flight tests this year, as the FAA will be more inclined to grant permits, and SpaceX clearly has the hardware.

[@clavo3352]

Absolutely right.

[@TheSimpleIvan]

They will be lucky to get 6 because the pad needs to be fixed and require more work than the reusable rocket does for reuse. Counter intuitive launchpad.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@TheSimpleIvan no one, except the soviets, has ever launched a rocket with so many engines. But, yes, elon's hubris led him to dramatically underestimate how robust the launch pad had to be.

[@cyborgvalkyrie]

@WhatAboutIt You're missing the card to the previous episode at 8:21 about building a launch tower

[@michi19935]

I noticed it too but it was kinda fun

[@TheSimpleIvan]

So I am not crazy! it was not there

[@michaelpeslow2839]

FYI - not too keen on the constant flashes going between scenes. Are they necessary? Thanks

[@ThatOpalGuy]

might be an issue with the editing software.?

[@rolfrobertson6404]

Can't wait until the next launch.

[@john_hind]

How about an inflatable habitat that fits in the diameter of Starship and just expands longitudinally? Shape the flexible portions so it bends in an arc like a banana and couple several such segments together in a ring. Suddenly a rotating artificial gravity space station looks quite feasible!

[@gary.richardson]

I like your thinking!

[@geobrower3069]

You mention limit switches, for those who don't know what they look like you can see a pair at 5:29 between the upper group of 18 door panel guide wheels and the lower grouping of three, they're the square boxes with the trigger arms going through the slots in the steel plate.

[@enox3547]

Anyone else want the carbon fiber hard hats @3:10?

[@fuzzypickle5307]

I actually have one of those and it's not actually carbon fiber, just made to look like it. I think I bought it at work world for like $35 lol

[@thomasdickson35]

I have a fiber hardhat and they're really light. You could definitely run a truck over it. Love it.

[@ZeroSpawn]

The last airbender. Nice touch 🔥

[@garyswift9347]

As an industrial maintenance technician, limit switches suck. Magnetic proximity switches or photo cells are much more reliable. Limit switches have moving parts that come loose and get stuck, and the best part is no part.

[@gary.richardson]

I'm not an engineer but I believe that mechanical limit switches will always have their niche. I do industrial maintenance as well and see photo sensors fail in the paint hangars and thermal extremes can demagnetize some magnets. Sometimes, a sustainable maintenance crew is better than no part.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

so the best part is when they RUD?

[@garyswift9347]

@@gary.richardson Yeah, I work on tire curing presses, which get hot, have steam, oil, and tire smoke accumulation, so limit switches have their uses. But for a door, I'd go with a prox.

[@garyswift9347]

@@ThatOpalGuy The door is going to RUD? I think not.

[@DJBREIT]

The new tower section maybe an extension to accommodate the taller Starship.

[@Qwarzz]

I'm sure they can park a couple of super heavy boosters behind the doors for support if they get worried about too high winds.

[@markhuebner7580]

Nothing like riding the hairy edge, of what's possible and what's not, to provide lots of surprises about what works and what doesn't!

[@Sully998]

Can't wait for the next test! Keep up the good work Felix & TJ!

[@williamvittitow4249]

I liked this video. It is the first i have seen that describes how the mega high bay door work. I also liked the description of building the 2nd tower. Good job! 👍

[@bbbenj]

Many thanks!

[@jwhit43]

I’d love to see two launches simultaneously. That would be pretty amazing.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@kstricl]

Of course they're going to fly all 4 boosters this year. Successfully? That's the real question. 100% they are increasing the launch cadence to get starship human certified.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

cant wait until 2035

[@d00dieb0x]

Wasn't the location of the second launch tower already marked in some plans that were published a year ago or so?

[@NorthernChev]

Jayzus, we’re filling our slow news weeks with door limit switch dialog…

[@La4edimension]

can't wait for ift 3

[@warfermcwarfer1371]

The door remembers me of the gym at my school. They used similar techniques to split the field into multiple fields :D Loved to move through the "walls"

[@friendo760]

Ads are too ambitious

[@conradnelson5283]

Good info

[@riparianlife97701]

A booster that's fully-built now may be the first to be caught.

[@ThePtgman]

Great episode: nice and "tight" with no time wasted.

[@Jana-jg5ob]

Hello from Jana! Episodes looking great and hope all is well with the WAI team and Schlang family!

[@johndoepker7126]

Due to financial issues, i had to give up my membership......but i still love, and look forward to all your updates and videos.....hopefully someday soon....ill be able to support you again !!!! Love you Felix and ALL the WAI Team !! 🤟

[@greggweber9967]

Are there standard lengths, nodes, and connections so that they can be connected in a cube shape while inner units can move out? No bumping. Need a union joint.

[@marknovak6498]

CAT 5 storms are far more likely than most people think. Have had close calls recently

[@ZEVOXP]

I have a question for you all. In a future where starship is working on a stable launch routine, can you imagine a launch complex outside of the America? For example Europe or Asia to Increase your launch rate.

[@gary.richardson]

At newly formed space fleet bases. And later at newly formed space ports. The military spends top dollar first.

[@Monti_QM]

loved the way u say hurricane lol

[@timwilliam8045]

Love the new brewery!

[@mathismarcelle9277]

love it !!!

[@glennb5099]

Is it possible that they don't "need" to swap the engines, but "want" to swap them? i.e. To the next iteration? This is SpaceX after all.

[@DeanStephen]

The door looks like a giant Roman shade, a form of drapery. And if they get hit with a Cat 5 ‘Cane, the draperies will be the least of their worries.

[@gary.richardson]

I'm not sure exactly what worries you imply. I wonder what damage would be done that you wouldn't see with regular doors. I inquire because I know that there are some plastics with tensile strength greater than steel and I'm leaning in the direction that the design meets or beats existing designs.

[@PlanXV]

The door is there for dust free and some birds too 😊

[@DeanStephen]

@@gary.richardson If they get a direct hit with a Cat 5 hurricane in that location the entire facility is going to be flooded by the storm surge, and then there is the wind damage…

[@gary.richardson]

@@DeanStephen and you are sure a regular door wouldn't have the same damage?

[@DeanStephen]

@@gary.richardson No, I never said that or implied it. It would be more expensive however.

[@greggweber9967]

6:10 Must make sure that both ends go up and down together. No hypotenuse formed.

[@shoaibhub]

Hi love your efforts

[@lloydwilliams2564]

Felix I really enjoy your work you have an excellent channel here

[@travisr4666]

Starship can easily become a space station with its size. Add some weapons and you got a preemptive strike vehicle, military use.

[@TimothyLipinski]

Great Video ! Sierra Space contracted to allow Dream Chaser to land at Spaceport America in the State of New Mexico (part of CONUS) ! Also a low inclination LEO space station is needed... A LEO CSS (Commercial Space Station) heading East from the KSC is an economical orbit (about 28.5 deg. orbit) to reach and an orbit that Apollo used to launch to the moon ! Going to the ISS to go to the moon adds full, weight and time to reach the moon. The Fuel Depot located in the same orbit near the LEO CSS can support missions to the moon and Mars ! The tech developed to return to the moon to stay can take US to Mars and beyond ! tjl

[@winstonsmith1457]

They could join several of them in space in order to build a greater one spaceship. If It was hexagonal shaped they could used them as briks. They could do a ship like the Discovery of 2001.

[@phishinca]

It is the installation of the first v3

[@stefanieschlang8975]

Loving this awesome update!

[@phenomagator]

I've enjoyed this channel for years now. Thanks for the inside look at everything SpaceX, it's been a real treat to see all the progress happen in near real time.

[@DaveInPA2010]

What if SpaceX has made some important-or even revolutionary!-innovations to the raptor design, and they would rather test it sooner in flight conditions, instead of later?

[@robertmorgan9112]

I’m still hoping that IFT3 is on the 27th with a full orbit!

[@captain_cgc2413]

Full orbit in the 27th century is possible for SpaceX.

[@goukux5908]

Elle in Space had a guest that pointed out that the FAA is understaffed for the current space launch activity and the Boeing bolt debacle has them working overtime already, so it might be longer than expected.

[@EpicMelonMan82]

SpaceX has done crazy stuff before. I think they could still be ready for a Valentine's day launch

[@JoeDaManTheHC]

See, no click bait and here we are 👍

[@spacexrocks1041]

They need WD-40. Made to prevent corrosion from salt water on the Atlas missile. The first Atlas, made of steel. SpaceX borrowed so much from Atlas I am stunned they forgot WD-40.

[@brandonnaquin7939]

Yes they will !😊

[@papyrus_13]

Nice title sequence

[@stuartodell1709]

I just want to see at least one launch before June.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

two have already launched. I want to see one work.

[@ph11p3540]

Those rocket factory bay doors are much lighter than those use at the Cape Kennedy VAB per area covered. Still, if a hurricane hits them it's not wind that will damage the PVC but the debris picked up by said hurricane that will rip them apart. Fortunately, they look very easily repairable with more PVC and duct tape.

[@lyft4238]

Imagine a Starship heavy lift vehicle With 3 boosters Thrust is going to be insane

[@PlanXV]

Do you know rocket signs 😏 🤔

[@simian_essence]

A level 5 is inevitable - eventually. A level 4 door doesn't really cut it.

[@greggweber9967]

Never Catagory 5 winds?

[@trentmelcher3459]

Wouldn't the next OLM tower be even more sections? If the next version of starship is going to be taller, Im assuming the tower will need to be taller as well.

[@jessiehill8392]

It would have really helped if the door for the high bay was located away from the direction the storm wind is known to come from. Then, it would only have to resist vacuum pull away from the building, which could be counteracted by vanes that redirect the wind hitting the back of the building to equalize pressure at the door side of the building, that could still possibly be done almost regardless of which direction the building is facing

[@Madmax-yh7ek]

They should make a heavy lifter 2stage that could lift even bigger modules etc within fairings :D and put that on top of super heavy :D

[@jessiehill8392]

I think an in space 3d printed space station would be the best. Several satellite like robots that have something akin to those robo-chef arms, can handle their own material loading, there is much more room for innovation building in space instead of prefabbed sections being launched, raw material loads would be much easier to launch, less sensitive to damage, less expensive to replace if lost during launch, rolls of round wire and ribbons of metal can't get hurt from vibrating during launch, unassembled electronics would be easier to pack up to resist damage and could be assembled in easy to robo install modules, modules that could be made cassette like for easier maintenance as well. Even hulls of rockets could be manipulated for re-use as station parts by robo-arm equipped satellite 3d printing machines, a couple to box modules for the assembly bots wouldn't be very difficult to manage either. Turn the whole interior of a set of launch fairings could be turned into a massive building robot with its own internal tool box and material magazine. It would be easier and cheaper to overbuild in space, with materials sent up in an insensitive state than it is to prebuild on earth's surface and super-duper careful launch from the surface and hope things go well for the delicate parts

[@tmuny1380]

At least we know for sure that the engines from the two starship launches became beautiful artificial reefs for wildlife !

[@LordDustinDeWynd]

17:18 "Eat that, Frogs"? Seriously?

[@mole5959]

Felix, how'd you like the Daytona 24?? Thanks team for all that you do!!

[@georger3253]

The card to the launch pad video didn't appear.

[@nightsky1979]

Once you've discussed building the 8th segment of the launch tower, I was under impression that you've assumed that second tower will be the same size as the first one. Would that be smart to build it exactly same size once Starship V3 is going to be so much higher comparing to current Starship design (i mean both booster and ship it self together)?

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

Yes it's smart because that's what they're doing?

[@Exitof99]

"I'm on my way to Geramany!"

[@outtersteller]

Hi Felix, a time stamp to your videos would be helpful.

[@musiccrabbeatz3312]

Hey Felix! you forgot to add the card @ 8:21 I guess. Ehe :)

[@UpperDarbyDetailing]

Can’t wait to see both towers in reality.

[@ncrtrooper7648]

Just don't let any airplanes near them

[@UpperDarbyDetailing]

@@ncrtrooper7648 of course not

[@Hungary_0987]

@@ncrtrooper7648nooo…😑

[@the3nd3rmast3r3]

On September 11th...

[@UpperDarbyDetailing]

@@the3nd3rmast3r3 seriously?

[@mrfrosty3]

Another quality episode.

[@Hungary_0987]

Ift2 was just spacex edging space, how nice of them😏

[@simonethier5793]

Nasty 😆

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Elon is pretty good a promising all and delivering nothing.

[@gary.richardson]

Almost everyone has heard about Origami but what about it's cousin Kirigami? There was a video done recently about using Kirigami sheets as a substitute for packing foam. I thought this could be used to capture space debris as a filler material and then encapsulate in a cement or resin made for soace.

[@PlanXV]

Send me the link and I will pass to Elon 😊

[@gary.richardson]

@@PlanXV there's plenty of fish for him but it might make a good small business venture for someone else.

[@jtasakorn]

There are certain independences when designing your own space station from scratch. Alternatively, it might be possible to use, modify, and build Starship (HLS) to be expended into a (deep) space station; converting the fuel compartments into utility workspaces. This is something yet to be seen, waiting to happen, and will likely need a lot of in orbit work and attachments; maybe too complicated and not worth the additional endeavor and risks.

[@gnarly706]

They got catch the thing first how many destroyed launch towers before a catch?

[@aourzy]

Doors will not be able to provide protection against hurricanes. They may prevent pressure from winds but Hurricanes posses power to pick things at starbase like cars and beams and fly them through the flexible doors.

[@flubalubaful]

Seen a lot of activity at tesla texas gigafactory site, could they be thinking of moving tower two there.

[@Frontiersman2011]

Do your descriptions of the 2nd OLIT still hold true if they really are going to make this one taller for a stretched booster and ship or might there be another section added?

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

Taller vehicle ≠ taller tower

[@fridaycaliforniaa236]

I think there won't be any catch attempt of the booster until they have the second tower. Would be too risky to wreck the first one and having nothing for months to launch the following rocket because there's only one OLIT. 🤔

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

First flight has more risks than the first catch will ever be and yet they have no problem with only one pad

[@victomeyezr]

8:21 what card to an episode?

[@johndoh5182]

Hey those doors are great, until a Cat 5 storm hits there for which there is certainly a probability of that happening, especially as the Gulf gets warmers and the sea level rises there (already happening and it's more than 1 ft. since the beginning of the 1900s for part of the Gulf including off the state of TX).

[@spekkulatius]

When you said that Boca Chicka is hurricane territory, I guess a "What if a hurricane hit Starbase?" video would be super interesting. Are there any official statements from SpaceX on this?

[@alfavulcan4518]

Next to the coast, barely above sea level, wind isn’t the main danger. A 20 ft storm surge is like a bulldozer scouring everything. Take a look at aerial photos of Boliver peninsula near Galveston of hurricane Ike EVERYTHING was gone, including the beach house my parents used to own. Couldn’t even find the road

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@alfavulcan4518 it's gonna be awesome when it happens.

[@edvard5697]

Wow, @8:37 you say the footings for the second tower are installed then @10:58 you say that the foundation has yet to be started. How can you have footings without a foundation? And if the @8:37 statement is correct how is there any question as to where the second tower will be located? Much confusion!?!

[@pieter5466]

8:22 No card!

[@makingmusiconline2309]

With the plans for 150m tall v2 starships, shouldn't there be one or two extra sections to get the chopsticks high enough?

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

No, they can just shift the QD and lifting point Lightning pole might be true however

[@jamesretired5979]

Seeing the 3 boosters in high bay makes Me start to dream of Supper Heavy Starship.

[@purestar7925]

Supper heavy sounds delicious..

[@ThatOpalGuy]

type 9 diabetes in the future!

[@ralfkruse7565]

Felix, did you already reserve a seat in one of the two passenger public space vehicles? 🚀😊🇫🇷

[@curtiswfranks]

Leap day launch!

[@user-hd6ws8hh7u]

There will be four of the remaining six starship tower sections on the way shortly to Boca Chica, Texas! I can send pictures, if you give me a place to send them!

[@glenncrawford3665]

I don't think it would be wise to start erecting the 2nd launch tower until the land swap is done, so probably after the third flight.

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

We don't even know if the land swap is needed at all for second pad

[@PowerScissor]

So much for "The best door is no door"

[@incidentic]

And what if…those parts are just the “spare parts”? Catching the booster and ship can be tricky for the first time 🤔

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

It's for a second launch pad

[@feman43]

I'd place my bet on them launching at least three in this year.

[@just_archan]

I would be not surprised is reason of engine swap was good old corrosion. Booster sits there for long time, in winter, near sea... So they are swapping engines to be sure

[@alvianchoiriapriliansyah9882]

Not a likely reason however