SpaceX’s Ship 33, the first second-generation Starship, is ready for testing. The company is set to launch the new spacecraft during the Flight 7 mission. Although it may be hard to see with the naked eye, it comes equipped with several important new features.
Some Context
Starship is a two-stage rocket. It consists of the Super Heavy booster, responsible for takeoff, and the Starship spacecraft, which will carry satellites and potentially astronauts to Mars.
SpaceX classifies Starship into three generations. So far, only first-generation Starships have flown. Different models have seen iterative design improvements. However, they all have a height of 389 feet and a payload capacity of around 50 tons, which is less than that of the Falcon Heavy.
The second-generation Starship is often referred to as Starship v2, Starship 2, and Starship Block 2. It retains the same number of engines as its predecessor (33 on the booster and six on the spacecraft). However, it doubles the payload capacity to more than 100 tons and increases the rocket’s height by 10 feet.
The upcoming Starship Flight 7, scheduled for January or February 2025, will mark the debut of the second-generation spacecraft. For this flight, SpaceX will use the Block 2 configuration in the upper stage. However, the Super Heavy booster will remain the Block 1 version. Specifically, it’ll be the Booster 14, which recently completed an ignition test. Engineers will soon stack the next-generation Ship 33 on top of it.
Meanwhile, the third-generation Starship is known as Starship v3, Starship 3, and Starship Block 3. Its arrival isn’t expected for several years. However, it promises to play a vital role in the colonization of Mars. It’ll feature nine engines in the second stage and an impressive height of 490 feet. Additionally, Starship 3 is designed to offer a payload capacity of more than 200 tons.
What’s New
Ship 33 is 6 feet taller than the previous version and is designed to accommodate larger methane and liquid oxygen tanks. However, this increase in size comes with a trade-off. The cargo bay is shorter, allowing for the launch of heavier payloads but limiting the number of satellites it can carry.
One of the most notable changes is the new front wings. These wings are smaller and more pointed. They’re all positioned higher on the fuselage, which helps to reduce plasma leaks that previous Starship models experienced during atmospheric re-entry. In Starship’s Block 1, the flap hinges were identified as the weakest points in its aerodynamic design.
Another noticeable improvement is the uniformity of the thermal slabs. Starship’s Block 2 features a new heat shield with enhanced installation methods and an upgraded secondary ablative material to better withstand heat.
The heat shield presents significant challenges, given that it’s the largest of its kind ever created with the goal of being fully and quickly reusable. While the design remains straightforward, SpaceX is considering the potential addition of a cooling system to enhance its durability during atmospheric re-entry.
Image | SpaceX
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