Weekly Space Report: Pad 2 Static Fire Aftermath

Highlights:

  • Compression testing at Massey’s with test article B19.3

  • Debris picked up during static fire, no damage to flame trench

  • Tank farm getting attention

  • Cool control room video released by SpaceX

  • Manifold pressure sensor aborted the static fire back at the 10-engine test.

  • 10-engine static fire quick stop did damage.

  • Ship 41 parts spotted

  • Booster 20 forward dome spotted

  • Factory construction obscuring Megabays more and more

  • Pad 1 parts for new launch mount showing up at the port

  • Concrete skirt of the tower finished.

  • Sheet piles around perimeter of trench in progress.

  • Small propellant tanks at Pad 1 coming out

  • Air separation plant e-house moved into place on foundation.

  • New Glenn 3: Booster re-used and recovered again successfully. But with new engines.

  • New Glenn 3: Second stage failed to deliver to target orbit.

  • Falcon 9: GPS III SV10 (final in constellation), Starlink 17-22, Starlink 17-14

  • Drone ship “Just Read The Instructions” retiring from catch operations to haul Starship components.

  • Artemis II further followup.

  • Heat shield photo from underwater immediately after splashdowm. Heat shield performed as predicted.

  • Vast Haven-1 and Haven-2 presentations, with new 6.6m docking ring aimed at standardization. (Huge!)

  • Rocket Lab “Bubbles” and “Kakushin Rising” missions

  • Rocket Lab in-house thruster production

  • NASA Nancy Grace telescope eight months ahead of schedule and under budget (!!).

  • Nancy Grace mission overview.

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