So no in-space engine relight just as we heard recently, but the interesting addition of jettison of the hot stage ring. I really hope that’s temporary!
I also LOVE to see that they want to attempt to relight the raptors and do the flip of Starship survives entry! I wonder how confident they are that it will.
Also in an update, SpaceX noted that both booster engine issues and RCS on IFT-3 were caused by filter blockages and clogged valves. Kind-of fascinating that’s still happening, but I have high hopes they will solve that soon!
The renders for Starship V2 have a dramatically redesigned hot stage mechanism. My guess is as good as any, but it’s possible the current HSR is so bulky and has nothing in common with the future version that they feel it’s actually more representative to throw it away.
What an embarrassment. This vehicle will probably finally fly at some point, but all these delays are humiliating to America’s space program. Incompetence on the part of Boeing.
Electron launches first NASA PREFIRE Earth science cubesat (spacenews.com)
SpaceX sets early June launch of next Starship test flight (spacenews.com)
NASA and Boeing moving ahead with Starliner test flight after propulsion issues (spacenews.com)
SpaceX sets date for next Starship flight, explains what went wrong the last time (arstechnica.com)
Rocket Report: SpaceX focused on Starship reentry; Firefly may be for sale (arstechnica.com)
SpaceX Starship Flight 4 (www.spacex.com)
The fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 5, pending regulatory approval....
NASA defends Artemis cost and schedule amid planning of possible changes (spacenews.com)
US officials: A Russian rocket launch last week likely deployed a space weapon (arstechnica.com)
Initial Gateway elements beginning systems integration while NASA works on a launch date - NASASpaceFlight.com (www.nasaspaceflight.com)
NASA, Boeing and ULA announce June 1 as new target date for Starliner’s Crew Flight Test – Spaceflight Now (spaceflightnow.com)
NASA report identifies cost-effective approaches to dealing with orbital debris (spacenews.com)
How Artemis astronauts will be protected from solar storms (spacenews.com)
ESA selects Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company for commercial cargo program (spacenews.com)
SpaceX launches NRO’s first batch of next-generation spy satellites (spacenews.com)
Dominican Republic considering its own commercial spaceport (spacenews.com)
RFA static fires at SaxaVord Spaceport as other UK spaceports continue to develop - NASASpaceFlight.com (www.nasaspaceflight.com)
Starliner crewed test flight remains on hold (spacenews.com)
SpaceX nears next Starship test flight as Starbase expansion continues (spacenews.com)
Surviving reentry is the key goal for SpaceX’s fourth Starship test flight (arstechnica.com)
Pentagon working with SpaceX to cut off Russian military's illicit use of Starlink internet (spacenews.com)
Ariane 6 inaugural launch planned for first half of July (spacenews.com)
China to expand commercial spaceport to support upcoming launch surge (spacenews.com)
We take a stab at decoding SpaceX’s ever-changing plans for Starship in Florida (arstechnica.com)