Will Starship have an abort mode? I know the initial plan was to not have one because it would be better to make the booster more reliable, but now, with the hot staging process, would it be possible for Starship to abort and fly away from the booster by firing its engines like at stage separation and would it be a viable option in case of a failure?

They haven’t done a fly over video since before Thanksgiving. Does anyone here have the inside scoop on whether they’re doing another flyover this year?

Beer

SLS launched Artemis 1 in November 2022. Six months later Starship launched for the first time. Starship has now launched six times with number 7 predicted for early 2025. SLS won't launch again until Q2 2026, maybe later if there are any more project delays in a project that has already had a LOT of delays. So how many launches can Starship do in the next ~18 months? They'll probably be over 20 launches by then, maybe over 30?

Which really hammers home the differences between SLS and Starship. Starship can launch 20+ times between SLS launches, at a drastically lower cost per launch, with a larger payload by volume or mass, with more ambitious goals for even lower costs and faster launches with rapid reuse. Starship started development in earnest in 2016, five years after SLS started development. But really SLS had a massive head start being based heavily on Shuttle technology from the 1970s. It started sooner, was built on existing technology, had many many many times the budget and still needs 3+ years between launches.

I really think SLS is going to go down in history as the biggest waste of money of all time. It's going to be cited alongside the Ford Edsel and the Virtual Boy.

I was wondering if Spacex can use Dragon to fly up astronauts to LEO or ISS (or the future stations) and then use Starship to carry them out to the moon and beyond? Dragon is certainly capable and is a reliable vehicle for the job. Doing this would alos cut down the R&D time to perfect re-entry, shielding, refurbishing, etc. But would it be a good idea?

With a maximum length of 477 meters and a giant deck it might be able to operate as a starship launch platform.

Alright let's take a look at the starship program and make some quick predictions based on what I think is gonna happen realistically for 2025.

Flight 7 NET Jan 11 Just like flight 6 but with a block 2 Starship to make sure it survives re-entry.

Flight 8 Q1 2025 If flight 7 has no issues, then I believe Spacex will attempt orbital flight. Expect a slightly longer wait due to new FAA paperwork. I don't expect any serious payloads. Mabye some small dummy payloads. Flight 8 is successful Starship spends 12-24 hrs in space before de-orbiting then successfully softlands in the ocean.

Flight 9 Q2 2025 2nd Orbital flight for starship. Will be the first flight to carry a serious payload (starlink). 5-10 starlinks deployed through the pez dispenser. Starship deorbits then successfully softlands in the ocean.

Flight 10 Q2 2025 At this point I believe Spacex and the FAA are feeling confident in a ship catch attempt. 3rd Orbital flight, Spacex attempts ship catch but aborts.

Flight 11 Q3 2025 First successful Ship catch. First reuse of a booster which I predict will be booster 15.

Other notes

I believe Spacex will launch 8-10 times in 2025.

Candence will ramp up in Q3-Q4 2025 as boosters start being resued, also 2nd tower should be finished.

The necessary hardware for refueling tests is complete. Expect first refueling tests in early 2026 mabye late 2025.

Expect more ufo reports/sightings due to starship.

Let me know what you think of these predictions. I can see people calling this pessimistic but I disagree this is still very fast progress.

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Mods didn't let me post on r/spacex. Some thoughts about Starship resuability and RTLS or tower catch.

The bottom line is this: Can SpaceX land a starship on a barge if it wanted to? Given that the size of droneship is not an issue would it be possible and economical?

Context: SpaceX succeeded in catching a metal skyscraper with metallic chopsticks. It was really phenomenal to watch and an emotional rollercoaster for many of us who have followed starship development since the BFR announcement by Elon. What got me thinking was Elon's tweet about reusing the booster within an hour, which according to him includes the fueling and inspection. It is ambitious to say the least. But, given that whatever SpaceX tries to do feels like impossible at first, lets not give it too much thought. So, say this worked as planned.

I am wondering about the ship. Because booster will be back after 10min or say 5min (at best acc to Elon). Meanwhile the next ship is stacked while the first one is still in orbit, probably on the second tower. Now, once the first booster catch is over and ship has completed the mission is in re-entry, would it make sense for the ship to do a droneship landing somewhere out in the Gulf? Probably nearby launch site. Or would SpaceX really want to bring the ship back to site? Why am I asking this? Keep in mind the logistics involved for catching a ship, probably minutes after the second launch or second booster catch and removal of boosters from both the towers? Don't know if they can catch a ship with the booster still on OLM!! Nonetheless, lots of failure points. Giving them very less time to deal with other things like systems check or tower damage inspection, etc, etc. Landing on a barge would eliminate the cascading time crunch and also help to prepare for the next launch which could be in next hour (think about in-orbit refueling missions for Artemis, booster still has to come back). I know its still very very early days. So this is all just food for thought in some sense.

Obligatory not-my-design. The incredible modeling work goes to @CrazyJ on MakerWorld.

I get giddy having this thing on my desk at work. I cannot wait to see the real ones fly.

Not wishing to get bogged down with the crazy politics of the on coming administration... But is Jared Isaacman becomes NASA administrator, how would that affect the plans for Polaris?

I think the next mission he had been planning was going to be the first manned mission on Starship...(So no earlier than 2026) But as the head of NASA would he be allowed to fly?

While there has been ex astronauts as the head of NASA before, I don't think any administrator flew again, at least not while in office.

Certainly I can see him accelerating the time table of getting starship man rated, but would he be happy sending someone else up for that first flight honors? I got the impression that not how he worked.

Space exploration is about envisioning bold futures while solving present challenges. Here's an idea to consider: hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for SpaceX's Earth-based and orbital flights.

Why Hydrogen?

• Cleaner Emissions: The only byproduct is water vapor, drastically reducing environmental impact.
• Protecting the Atmosphere: Hydrogen helps safeguard the fragile layers essential to Earth's biosphere.
• Proven Technology: Used successfully in rockets like Delta IV and Ariane V, with room for further cost optimization.

SpaceX’s Opportunity

SpaceX’s vertically integrated ecosystem is perfectly positioned to adopt hydrogen. It could produce the fuel in-house using renewable energy sources, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

A Dual-Fuel Vision for Space Exploration:

1. Earth-Based and Orbital Flights: Transition to hydrogen for launches, ensuring eco-friendly operations within Earth's atmosphere.
2. Interplanetary Missions: Retain kerosene for practicality, as extraterrestrial environments are less biologically sensitive.

Why This Matters

SpaceX has already set the industry standard with reusable rockets. The next logical evolution is a green shift that aligns with the company's ethical responsibility to lead humanity into a sustainable future.

Like Tesla redefined clean transportation, SpaceX can inspire a global coalition for sustainable aerospace practices. By championing hydrogen, SpaceX can lead the charge in balancing progress with planetary care.

A Message for Elon Musk

Elon, you've shown the world how to redefine industries—PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX have all set revolutionary benchmarks. Transitioning to hydrogen could be the next visionary step in your legacy, demonstrating that innovation can coexist with responsibility.

Hydrogen is not just fuel; it’s a symbol of possibility. By adopting this path:

1. SpaceX will solidify its leadership as a technological and ethical pioneer.
2. The aerospace industry will follow, sparking a ripple effect of sustainability.
3. Humanity will see that exploration can uplift our species without compromising Earth.

Reusable rockets were a revolution. A green shift will be the next evolution.