4-22-23, Update #5, post launch discussion
Some videos are popping up on the YouTube now. More information is available to ascertain what there is to be ascertained. Some worries about the launch platform ( Stage 0) have been confirmed. The platform has almost been destroyed. It was down to rebar?!? Holy close shave, Batman! If that thing had have collapsed with 10 million pounds of propellant onboard? Phew! A huge disaster may have been just seconds away.
Looking back, more static fires should have been performed. That should have included those with full power for the amount of time that it would take to clear the tower. Clearly, this was not done. There was just this one static fire. I am of the opinion that this launch was pushing the envelope just a little too far for comfort.
There are those who say otherwise. But look at it this way. If the static fires had been done, error modes could have been found sooner, and time would have been saved. I'm not that impressed with the opposing argument.
Those who call it a disaster are probably overstating it a bit. But it was a near disaster. No doubt about it in my mind after seeing some pics of that launch mount.
It was near mal practice to launch that thing. But people were ragging on the FAA. The FAA should have been a bit more alert.
SpaceX launched about as quickly as it was able. The spin was that the FAA was holding them back. Well, after this, it was a good thing that they did--if they did. If this was much worse, there would have been a much more serious mishap.
Feb 9, 2023
Less than an hour ago, Spacex did a static fire attempt for their Superheavy booster for the Starship rocket being readied for launch soon.
It was to be a full 33 engine attempt, but two engines did not fire up.
Likely, the results will be studied, and another attempt will take place. This one lasted less than 10 seconds.
31 engine static fire
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