Starship Flight 7
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launched by Falcon 9, performs system checks and maneuvers to dock with the ISS, ensuring a successful mission through advanced technology in human spaceflight.
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SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is designed for missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch process begins with the Falcon 9 rocket lifting Dragon into orbit, where the two stages of the rocket separate. Once in orbit, Dragon performs initial activation checks of its systems, including propulsion and life support. It then conducts phasing burns to adjust its orbit and catch up with the ISS. After establishing a communication link with the station, Dragon initiates its final approach, performing necessary maneuvers to align for docking. The spacecraft autonomously approaches the ISS, docks, and completes the process with vestibule pressurization, hatch opening, and crew ingress. This sequence of operations ensures a successful mission to the ISS, highlighting the advanced capabilities of SpaceX's technology in human spaceflight.
- SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is launched by the Falcon 9 rocket.
- The mission involves a series of burns to position Dragon for docking with the ISS.
- Dragon performs system checks and maneuvers to ensure safe approach and docking.
- The docking process includes pressurization and crew ingress after successful connection.
- SpaceX continues to advance its technology for human spaceflight missions.
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- Many users express disappointment over the loss of the Starship, with some highlighting the need for further testing and improvements.
- There is a notable discussion about the impressive technology and achievements of SpaceX, particularly the successful booster catch.
- Criticism arises regarding the timeline and budget of SpaceX's Mars mission, with some questioning the feasibility of their goals.
- Several comments emphasize the importance of data collection during the test, viewing the mission as a learning opportunity despite the failure.
- Users share various perspectives on the future of space exploration, with some expressing skepticism about the motivations behind it.
65 commentshttps://x.com/deankolson87/status/1880026759133032662?t=HdHF...
https://x.com/realcamtem/status/1880026604472266800
https://x.com/adavenport354/status/1880026262254809115
Moment of the breakup:
To date a Starship has yet to be recovered after flight - and those launched are effectively boilerplate as they have carried no cargo (other than a banana) and have none of the systems in place to support a crew.
Some people are really fetishizing iterative failure - but just because you are wandering in the desert does not mean there is a promised land.
The close-up camera right after was interesting, I thought it captured on the grid fins, but it looks like there are two small purpose-built knobs for that.
The times we live in!
https://x.com/shaunmmaguire/status/1845444890764644694
Anyone has similar view of this landing?
Edit: distant view of flight 7 by the same person
During ascent I also noticed a panel near the front fins that seemed to be loose and flapping. Probably not related but who knows.
Edit: Here's a video of the aftermath. Strangely beautiful. https://x.com/deankolson87/status/1880026759133032662
"Upgrades include a redesigned upper-stage propulsion system that can carry 25 per cent more propellant, along with slimmer, repositioned forward flaps to reduce exposure to heat during re-entry.
For the first time, Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators" [1].
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/heres-what-nasa-would-...
[1] https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/musks-starship-ready-...
If the person doing their on-screen graphics is reading this, I wonder if you have considered showing tank LOX/CH4 remaining as a log graph. I believe it decreases logrithmically when being used (well it would if you keep 'thrust' constant) so that would create a linear sweep to the 'fuel level' status.
Edit: ok, acceleration is meters per second per second, but my point stands.
I am not surprised that stage 2 failed because they were testing with a lot of the thermal tiles removed.
thought it was ice from the outside but now i'm curious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OacVy8_nJi0
According to the comments, the footage in this scene is a Saturn V on a launchpad and then an Atlas-Centaur Missile.
Rapid unscheduled disassembly!
Or is comparing dev timelines for both a moot point because they are different classes of rockets
While NASA's SLS began in 2011 and successfully flew around the Moon in 2022.
Blue Origin's New Glenn also started development in 2012 and reached orbit on it's first flight with an actual payload.
When they say SpaceX is fast, what do they mean exactly?
What a waste of time and resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1VbZoYSyzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMG8BbUjwRk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-uQNSxqQHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PYuUj777a0
> This marketing jargon speak for explosion is lulz
(Also a person who actively platforms outspoken neo-nazis runs the company that is launching them)
More generally, getting the ship to work reusably seems like it will be a considerably greater challenge than reusing the boosters.
Apart from obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add fire suppression to that volume and probably increase vent area. Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.
Between this, AI (even in its current LLM form), and mounting evidence suggesting the entire solar system is teeming with at least microbial life, we are going to become an interplanetary species far sooner than many “skeptics” imagine.
We are just one more lander / sample mission / whatever away from having solid proof of life elsewhere in the solar system. That is gonna jumpstart all a huge race to get humans out into deep space to check it all out.
People worry about AI stealing their jobs… don’t worry. We need that stuff so humans can focus on the next phase of our history… becoming interplanetary. Your kids will be traveling to space and these (very overhyped, don’t get me wrong) LLM’s will be needed for all kinds of tasks.
It sounds crazy but I maintain it’s true and will happen sooner than you’d think.
ship looks to be lost. this was the main part, so it's almost complete failure.
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SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launched by Falcon 9, autonomously approaches and docks with the ISS after performing system checks and orbit adjustments, allowing astronauts to enter the station post-docking.
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