SpaceX confirms switch to Raptor2 engines for Orbital

[glend]

Elon Musk has announced (Twitter) that the first orbital Starship launch is being delayed till May to allow for Raptor2 engines to be used in the booster. They now have sufficient Raptor2s (39) to fit out the orbital booster. It is likely Booster B4 will be scrapped now, and one of the new design boosters (B7 maybe, which is nearing completion), will make the flight. Several design changes have been made, not the least of which is the tank dome to support Raptor2 engines.
Of course the FAA has still not said anything about the launch approval (now suppose to be approved, or not, by end of March).

[Startrek]

I’m wondering if SLS will launch prior to Starship due to ongoing FAA approval issues at Boca Chica
It has been a long time since the last Starship test launch
Maybe Elon should have built a second Starbase (2) at the KSC , say 18 months earlier which might have mitigated the current FAA approval delays and allowed a more timely launch of Starship ( including the new Raptor engines )
Who knows ???

[gb44]

They are building launch systems in KSC. And they will build Mechazilla 2 there. A way behind Bocachica but it is happening in Florida.

Good video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI18aWdchVg

GlennB

[Startrek]

Thanks Glenn, yes I know it’s on Robert’s road, I follow all the progress on NASA Space Flight, WAI , Space Pod News and others , I was at KSC for 3 days back in 2018 and saw the area ( Gator country ) I should have mentioned the word “current” Starbase (2) 18 months earlier
Cheers
Martin