This video gives an in depth look at the damage.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/omouxjzI17U[/youtube]

One of the more shocking segments is showing debris being thrown about 1/2 mile into the gulf and making very sizable splashes. Go to 8:30 time mark and watch the water and you will see numerous water impacts, some them really large, one of them at least 50 ft high.

The basic conclusion is that nothing on the ground at the launch site can be assumed to be in working order. Tanks, valves, pipes are busted, the launch stand is trashed, etc.

Here's a pic of the launch stand:

This wasn't just a few pieces of concrete. That's a deep hole.

The cost of not having a flame trench is now higher than having one.

Mike C.

Yeah, using the stairwell as a reference that looks like around ten to twelve feet deep. Pretty impressive, except this isn’t the Boring company.

Here is another angle of the damaged launch pad from a friend that works for Space X. It is about 65’ tall

Elon is saying they will be ready for another launch in 3 months but that is “Elon time”. Not likely to happen this year.

Hmm, they took the same path with the Falcon 9, and now they launch them like a kids with bottle rockets on the 4th of July. 61 launches last year.

And if FAA and TX give too much push back, he will move the operation somewhere else, that will appreciate the money he pumps into the local economy.

Two very interesting twitter threads from Dr. Phil Metzger, a co-founder of NASA's swampworks, regarding launch system design and Elons steel-plate idea.

https://twitter.com/drphiltill/status/1 ... 2478611456

https://twitter.com/drphiltill/status/1 ... 5692617728

Define “unacceptable” in SpaceX terms. Theirs likely does not align with yours, but they’re the ones flying the rocket.

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Maybe. But I'd argue that they learned a lot about their rocket and system on the flight. They can concurrently fix problems with their rocket design AND repair the pad. If they had delayed the launch waiting for an upgraded pad, the overall timeline would have probably grown.

As to the detractors, NIMBY's, and the like, SpaceX's point will be "Safety measures worked. Nothing was damaged outside of our site. We're good to go for the next time."

Pad was probably intentionally destroyed with the intent of rebuilding. It’s how be built his first rockets. He uses an iterative approach to building these. In the book Liftoff it’s described as the following: “The iterative approach begins with a goal and almost immediately leaps into concept designs, bench tests, and prototypes. The mantra with this approach is build and test early, find failures, and adapt”

I also think most traditional engineers could not work for Elon. The few seasoned space veterans he hired did not last long at his company. Lockheed and Boeing are part of a highly paid duopoly that have controlled space flight and most of the resources allotted to it. They have no incentive to move quickly or watch costs. Analogous to our other two big industrial complexes: big pharma and military.
Kevin.

This is interesting.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/cqbIwZMvbqw[/youtube]

Regardless of all the praise and criticism, I watched it from the southern tip of Padre Island, and it was impressive. Disappointed the booster/starship started to tumble and was destroyed, but this is not the first rocket to fail on its maiden flight. That a large rocket, made of stainless steel, almost 400 feet in length could get off the pad was a sight to see.

Chris C.

Yes, and the video sheds light on why the Space X employees cheered after it finally exploded. They likely knew the tanks were breached by the FTS and were concerned that it took 50 seconds before it finally did what it was supposed to do. They were probably getting nervous. Imagine the liability if it was able to change it’s trajectory. I bet the FTS will be changed before the next launch.

How was the Crackle? Did it shake your clothes? Bright?
Those were my biggest impressions of the shuttle launch.
T

I was 3 mi away at 2500 ft in breezy wearing dave clarks with IO-360 running at 2100rpm 3 ft behind my head. I heard the rocket, but it seemed way less loud than I expected.
Shuttle launch viewed from the VIP viewing area was loud and you could feel low frequency pressure waves in your chest.
Starship seemed much less intense.... but hardly an apples to apples comparison.

Since they are building a similar tower, factory and tank farm at Cape Canaveral could it be they needed to prove to NASA the Starship could clear the tower, be controlled in flight and get to altitude. Then NASA will allow test flights from the Cape?

Is it faster to complete the construction in FL and continue test flights. Then fix the Texas site for a second launch facility.