FAA gives SpaceX a Go for Launch

[glend (Glen)]

Well, SpaceX triggered the flight termination system (FTS) after the stage separation failed. The booster performed well, despite having three engines out at launch, it climbed well, then through MaxQ and ran to its designed shutdown point. . I was watching The SpaceX coverage and it was clear that the separation mechanism failed and the whole stack started to tumble. It was up high enough to be in very thin atmosphere but clearly flight path could not be resumed. You could tell they set off the FTS.
So back to the drawing board I think. Elon had talked in the past about the simple separation system, involving pins and a twist by the Starship, or booster grid fins, to shake the booster loose. I doubt they will be able to find much to examine on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Now they need to rethink the separation system, and this may mean a serious program delay, as the next completed boosters and Starships all have this questionable design.

[astronobob (Bob)]

The seperation System is fundementaly different to other rockets where as Starship 'yes Glen' using the Flip Manouver to centrifigul force assisting the seperation, so agree - back to the drawing board unless there was another issue or glitch in the release pins activation, who knows, lots of data to sift through..

Anyway, Ground Zero sure copped some Punishment
Check Out this Crater under the Launch Mount,

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Love SpaceX tweet:

"SpaceX Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before the Super Heavy separation."

This rear end shot reminded me of the Soviet N1 rocket .. which had similar control issues.

[Startrek (Martin)]

They got the world’s most powerful rocket of the pad , cleared the tower , through Max Q and continued on accelerating to a respectable altitude.
I call it a success in anyone’s book
The separation issue will be fixed in a timely ( Space X ) manner, a very minor issue in the general overall mission
Even half a dozen failed raptors didn’t stop it !!!

Great coverage from Space X again ( leaves NASA back in the 70’s ) vistas of Boca Chica facility , the employees cheering , drone footage , external and internal live video from launch vehicle , the block house and so on

Tremendous, I’ve watched it over and over again

[thunderchildobs]

"The new self-destruct button has been successfully tested".

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Me thinks that Mr Elon and SpaceX are going to receive a number of Compo claims for peripheral damage the launch caused. Now the FAA has grounded all SpaceX's Starship rockets.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Some ideas floating around about dealing with Ground-0, Vid Link Below :

Will be interesting to see how much damage to Launch Pad is realised over the coming weeks, if the launch mount is still sitting square and ground repairable then maybe another attempt in 6 months'ish (just a guess) all else going well, but if that mount has shifted it will all need to come down and start from scratch, which could take a year or so,,
Hmmm,

https://youtu.be/rDAyK3jRPCM?t=49