Complete conjecture, but most likely both. Recent Twitter ramblings from Musk suggest they're trying to figure out how to basically catch the boosters on the launch pad itself so they can just fuel them up again and be ready to launch with a new payload.

Well that would be badass

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

Just to be clear, catch and launch the Super Heavy, land the Starship. :D

I slept through this one, but launch #8 for a booster!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Falcon 9 launches Starlink to orbit – the eighth launch and landing of this booster <a href="https://t.co/zyj8ZdDFql">pic.twitter.com/zyj8ZdDFql</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1351913896274128898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ZJghIk7_VA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Possible SN9 static fire with the two new engines today:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nqkE8Q5e2d8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You can tell how softly it sets down there. When watching the launch last week it was hard to tell if that soft landing worked or if the puff of dust was from the force of the landing.

Definitely looks like a hell of a fun ride. Out of my price range though. :(

Seems like SN9 doesn't want to fly...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starship SN9 Static Fire testing during a foggy day in Boca Chica.<br><br>Looked short and lacking the usual power of a normal test. Potential abort during the firing?<br><br>➡️<a href="https://t.co/3JwGoYpjN4">https://t.co/3JwGoYpjN4</a> <a href="https://t.co/wrMUPF15kd">pic.twitter.com/wrMUPF15kd</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1352387315809845248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STATIC FIRE! Starship SN9 fires up her three Raptors. Very smooth morning pad flow to ignition. <br><br>Looks and sounded very good. Let&#39;s hope the data was good to approve launch next week.<br><br>SN9 Status:<a href="https://t.co/Q0QbkThFh6">https://t.co/Q0QbkThFh6</a><br><br>➡️<a href="https://t.co/KLFof9P5Ts">https://t.co/KLFof9P5Ts</a> <a href="https://t.co/fs7KK78WYb">pic.twitter.com/fs7KK78WYb</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1352632161065693184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SpaceX - Transporter 1

Launch Time

Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:40am EST

30 minute bump.

EDIT: Scrubbed for weather. Try again tomorrow.

Scheduled for 10:00am EST tomorrow.

SN9 flight possible today?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lPRfJxz-ECE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hope so!!! Although it is looking a bit foggy "low altitude clouds" down there.

I'm going to watch the flight in the SpaceX lobby on my Oculus Quest.

Their stream says 23 knots of wind. They can't be thinking of flying in that...

Sounds like they are closing out road/beach for something to potentially happen today. Sounds like if it does, it is this afternoon.

Boca Chica Mary says it isn't happening today.

FWIW, I highly recommend the Next Spaceflight app. They'll shoot you a notification when things are getting close for Starship events (as well as most other launches).

Things are progressing, so far, for an SN9 flight today. Tim's stream is live, but not much going on really.

Some reported that the TFR for today was cancelled, but they closed the road and cleared the pad.

They're apparently loading propellant so...maybe?

Remember it like it was yesterday.....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">35 years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger and all seven crew members aboard were lost. On this Day of Remembrance, we honor the Challenger crew and all who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery: <a href="https://t.co/9qEnFCzLSv">https://t.co/9qEnFCzLSv</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NASARemembers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NASARemembers</a> <a href="https://t.co/652yHJ1qmq">pic.twitter.com/652yHJ1qmq</a></p>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1354815040134680577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Launch in 20 minutes? Maybe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnmNAlNvr8o

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5kVZlnHZ3o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

T-10:00 maybe!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just to add to the confusion. <a href="https://t.co/kUTfMNiuFV">https://t.co/kUTfMNiuFV</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1354893341226364930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

EDIT: Officially scrubbed.

Live again...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FpQwQx4Q_Dc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sounds like the FAA pulled their approval, no flight today.

And Elon is not happy with them...

If they can't launch today, at least they can make shit look neat.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Starship SN9 &amp; SN10 <a href="https://t.co/urtPJn7amo">pic.twitter.com/urtPJn7amo</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1355255403945332737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Those things look like Megatron's dick.

I didn't catch why the FAA said no, does anybody know?

Rumor is they're treating it as a brand new vehicle since they swapped out an engine. SpaceX thought they were good to go but are having to deal with more paperwork.

Wow...

The rockets look like some retro movie scifi in black and white.

Cool as hell.

That’s what I heard as well. I’m curious why SpaceX seemed to be unaware of this until the last minute.

I get being pissed at FAA, but if it’s just paperwork, why aren’t they (Space X) treating every test as a new bird?

The FAA moves much more slowly than SpaceX. Elon is frustrated because they are trying to design a system that will possibly involve things like engine swaps all the time, and having a multi day delay every time would be a major choke point.

They'll get it worked out eventually.

<iframe width="949" height="534" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_OXk4RKZhaY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They did consider SN9 as a new bird, but had to re-consider it as a new bird again after they swapped some engines, even though it had not flown. It seems they didn’t know this until after it was on the pad and ready to fly.

*Just my understanding and may be wrong*

Elon Musk, serving up SciFi pictures in real life! That is so very cool.

Fingers crossed that SN9 flies tomorrow, but isn't SN10 kinda in close proximity?

This is neat. Someone want to chip in and pay for me to take a ride? :)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Announcing the first commercial astronaut mission to orbit Earth aboard Dragon → <a href="https://t.co/MbESvnakAD">https://t.co/MbESvnakAD</a> <a href="https://t.co/ukLsjFfRjk">pic.twitter.com/ukLsjFfRjk</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1356354006814060547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They seem to have a level of confidence that I'm not sure I'd share.

You can enter to win a trip on Dragon here if you are in the mood to donate:

https://www.prizeo.com/campaigns/l/i...n=Inspiration4

Ugh:

https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/2...tion-elon-musk

SpaceX’s first high-altitude test flight of its Starship rocket, which launched successfully but exploded in a botched landing attempt in December, violated the terms of its Federal Aviation Administration test license, according to two people familiar with the incident. Both the landing explosion and license violation prompted a formal investigation by the FAA, driving regulators to put extra scrutiny on Elon Musk’s hasty Mars rocket test campaign.

Yeah, these theories confuse me. Did they assume SpaceX could guarantee a landing? Doesn't make sense to me. Also saw someone saying it was because wreckage was found up to 4km away. Which is well within the 5mi exclusion zone. So again, doesn't make sense. I don't doubt that the FAA may believe they violated something, but the complete lack of transparency is annoying as ****.

EDIT: The FAA considering SN9 a completely new vehicle after two engines were swapped out makes the most sense to me, but I really haven't been paying much attention.

I also read a theory that the SN8 flight did not conform to the approved envelope. Not sure which theory, if any, is correct.

SpaceX has a green light from the FAA, and Starship SN9 is free to fly

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021...pe-sn9-to-fly/

TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN FEEL IT

Seeing some tank farm activity, fellas!

Any idea where the landing area is in relation to this picture?

Just about a full picture or two distance to the bottom left corner of that picture i think.

EDIT.....actually, maybe straight to the left side of the pic


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...aunch_site.jpg

MAYBE a launch attempt in 15-20 minutes.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4-PwxnJimg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Or not. Who knows.

Temporary hold, possible range violation per reddit.

Pick up truck in range violation. Looks like the local sheriff ran it off.

Nerdle cam looks like some engine chill vapor started. It is the one on the right on that camera for LabPadre.

There was a delay on SN8 launch too from a boat getting too close. The idiots trying to sneak a closer look at the launches is getting old already.

T-10:00 (maybe)

SpaceX stream is live!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_zZ7fIkpBgs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

T-2:30

She's off!!!

YES!!!!

The silence is so eerie.

C'mon c'mon c'mon...stick the landing...

Welp. It was exciting.

RUD

Bad relight on one engine?

I went to the stream late and saw a big explosion! What happened?

Looked like it to me. The SpaceX stream shows it pretty clearly.

Boom

Something flew off from inside

Looks like they're still struggling a bit with relighting after the big flip. That has to be some really weird forces at play with the internal fuel.

At least one lit up right in the last few seconds. Not enough to avoid the crash.

Something definitely broke and flew off on re-light. That aside, maybe they should start the flip a little higher up? Altitude is life...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yep. One of the Raptors let her down. Still it&#39;s just the final part. These things bellyflop return perfectly. <a href="https://t.co/XdeeLWIsHt">pic.twitter.com/XdeeLWIsHt</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1356702909619142659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>