This is the second upper stage issue this year. I wonder if they’re encountering quality issues as they ramp up the production rate of upper stages, or whether they’re simply discovering new (rarer) failure modes as they increase their launch cadence.
SpaceX docking webcast: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1840474179973599415
Capture confirmed: https://x.com/NASA/status/1840505651648499731
Hatch opened: https://x.com/NASA/status/1840538710221218122
Welcome ceremony: https://x.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1840540675919544704
Starbase activities (2024-09-29):
Maritime:
Other:
Yeah, retrieving B10 seems too difficult. My guess would be that there are some additional bits of B11 that they didn’t/couldn’t retrieve on the previous excursion. Either way, we’ll find out over the coming days!
Starbase activities (2024-09-28):
Maritime:
Webcast coverage ending. Docking scheduled for 2024-09-29 21:27 UTC.
Nosecone deploy in progress.
The Zero-G indicator is a toy stuffed falcon, which also flew with Nick Hague aboard Soyuz MS-12.
Dragon separation confirmed.
SECO, nominal orbital insertion.
Dragon launch escape system has been disarmed.
Stage 1 landing confirmed!
MECO, stage separation, M-vac ignition, and stage 1 boostback burn.
Liftoff!
Stage 1 LOX load is complete.
Stage 2 LOX load is complete.
Stage 1 engine chill has started.
Stage 1 fuel load is complete.
Strongback retract has started.
Stage 2 LOX load has started.
Stage 2 fuel load is complete.
Tanks are venting for the start of propellant load.
Edit: Propellant load has started.
Crew have closed their visors and are arming the launch escape system.
Edit: Launch escape system is armed, weather is 70% go.
Crew access arm retraction is underway.
Starbase activities (2024-09-30):
McGregor: