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SpaceX Starship Testing Continues - Pad 39A & Fairing Upgrades For U.S. Space Force

Welcome to Episode 64 of What about it!?

In this Episode, we will take a look at the sudden explosion of SpaceX's test tank for the second generation Starships and why it occurred. We will also take a look at the latest progress at Kennedy Space Centers Pad 39A, a mobile gantry and the reason for SpaceX wanting to upgrade their Falcon fairing size. 

SpaceX Starship Testing Continues - Pad 39A & Fairing Upgrades For U.S. Space Force

Comments

Thank you, Rob! Sorry for the super late reply!

Sammy! Thank you for the nice comment! The question is, if the numbers add up. If it's cheaper to add the capability, then they will probably do it! I heard though, that SpaceX already has a contract with RUAG for the fairings. So, they might outsource it.

The high grade episodes keep coming, well done Felix. 👍 The U.S Air Force procurement for the Phase 2 National Security Space Launch Program to which SpaceX will be submitting a proposal is offering existing and proven launch systems capable of meeting the Air Force requirements however apart from the vertical integration and larger fairings outlined in the episode, for SpaceX to win Phase 2 contracts they had to demonstrate that both the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy could meet all the mass and orbit combinations required by the Air Force, this was achieved and demonstrated during the CRS-19 (Stage 2 coasting phase) and STP-2 missions. There is no indication that the Air Force are satisfied and/or if the demonstrations keeps SpaceX in the hunt for Phase 2 NSSL contracts. I believe that the commitment applied by SpaceX to maintain a solid relationship with the U.S Air Force has been evident for many years and with that comes progress, better SpaceX rockets! For the fairings, I suspect that SpaceX will make the capital investment and produce the larger fairing in house for their missions and also offer them to the market. WAI? 🚀

Nicely done Felix. Very good, with information not found elsewhere. You're the best at finding new stuff. A must watch.


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