Why SpaceX Could Be Forced To Abandon Starship Payloads Until 2024!

SpaceX has been working extremely hard to prevent a complete structural failure of Ship 24's interstage and payload section during Max Q. In this episode we will investigate how this situation developed starting from the day SpaceX was forced to move on from Ship 20 and Booster 4.

This is intended to be an example of issues that can occur during the rapid iteration process when the manufacturing begins to outpace vehicle qualification testing.

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Huge thanks to the following photographers and content creators who make all of this possible!

▶︎Andi Ashtorak - Starbase Simulator:

🎤Andrew Keating of Cosmic Perspective

▶︎Chameleon Circuit - Starship & Test Tank Animations

▶︎Cosmic Perspective

📷Greg Scott - Kennedy Space Center Photographer

📷 Kevin Randolph - for WAI Media

▶︎ LabPadre - 24/7 Starbase Livestreams

▶︎Marcus House

▶︎ NASASpaceflight

▶︎ Nick Henning Lunar Starship Simulation

▶︎ RGVAerialPhotography - Starbase Weekly Livestreams

▶︎ Ryan Hansen Space - CSI 3D Forensics Agent

📷 Starship Gazer - Starbase Photographer

Most of the music is from the YouTube Audio Library except:
SpaceX has been working extremely hard to prevent a complete structural failure of Ship 24's interstage and payload section during Max Q.

Last but not least I want to give HUGE SHOUTOUT to the entire CSI Starbase team on discord. This dedicated team of 100+ agents with specialties ranging all across the board, has been crucial in getting the most accurate info for these episodes. Couldn't do it without yal!

0:00 Intro - SpaceX Biggest Fear
2:15 Part 1 Review
5:46 Sponsor Segment
7:29 How did we get here?
8:57 B7 - New Thrust Puck Testing
11:18 B7 - Downcomer Failure Analysis
14:25 S24 - Design Upgrades & Initial Testing
15:25 S24 - Pre-Press Failure Analysis
18:32 B7.1 - Structural Verification of Booster Aft Section
19:30 Booster Thrust Bearing Structure Analysis
20:21 B7.1 Special Can Crusher Configuration
22:45 B7.1 Partial Failure - Crushed!
23:23 S24 & B7 Testing Ramps UP
25:05 Autogenous Pressurization Summary
26:05 S25 & B7 Testing Continued
26:40 B7.1 Returns from Repairs
27:40 Importance Of Spin Prime Testing
28:28 B7 Static Fire Campaign Ramps UP
29:05 E-Dome Test Tank Analysis + S25 Testing
31:58 S25 - Testing Begins
32:20 B7 Static Fire Campaign Cont.
33:40 S24 - Payload Bay Structural Issues
40:15 S24 - Temp Solution To Payload Bay Issues
46:10 New Modifications - Payload Door
48:34 S24 - Aft Section/Interstage Structural Issues
52:00 S26.1 Testing New Modifications To Ship Aft Section
58:01 How did this happen?
1:00:00 B6.1 - Structural Qualification of Booster Interstage
1:01:30 NC31 - Remaining Structural Verification Prior To Launch
1:03:00 Final Thoughts and Outro

[ztechrepairs]

Man anyone not watching this is missing out on some incredibly unique and awesome content. Thanks for all the work you do

[lordcraycray]

By far the most underrated space channel.

[markhuebner]

What an amazingly well orchestrated time contraction of a very long and seemingly disjointed array of seemingly unrelated actions. Thanks for bringing at all together in true CSI style!

[NCrPhbA]

Mate, I cannot actually put into words how impressed I am at what you guys are doing with this channel. In such a short time you have rocketed into my list of "do not miss a single episode". These amazingly thought out and analysed videos are exactly what the hardcore fans need.
The insights you've managed to tease out are phenomenal. I'm blown away, good work.

[ThatBoomerDude]

Better engineering descriptions on this channel than on any others covering SpaceX.

[BasketKees]

Absolutely stunning how you manage to oversee such a long period of (seemingly) disjointed events, often from the smallest of details, turn it into a single narrative and then present it in a beautiful and as easy as possible to understand manner. I know you bring together the work of many people, so you stand on the shoulders of giants. But damn, you manage to make the stack mighty tall! Thank you so much and the same to everyone who’s work make this possible.

[williamhoward]

It's amazing to think that SpaceX moves through this testing is rapidly as they do. There's so much more involved in it than I realized. Thanks for the great work Zack.!

[georgejenkins]

Sir, ....even though I watch Starbase each day, the mechanical problems included by yourself including the remediation is astonishing, by Spacex certainly but also including yourself... I am totally stunned !! Your skill set and knowledge blow my mind as to the level of intensity by Spacex as well as all things I learn from you Sir !! I thank you so much Zack, your knowledge as well your abilities to educate the lay person is so very welcome. I thank you Sir !! Zack on Zack !! We love it... and all channel watchers need to make sure to watch and Study C.S.I. !!
George S. Jenkins

[scottie_]

*Easily* the best Starship engineering video on the internet.

[Thorocious]

The level of detail in this was phenomenal guys, massively underrated channel.

[JoeTegtmeyer]

Really, really excellent work Zack! I appreciate all the detail, research and critical observations. You know, SpaceX themselves might want to hire you to directly test and verify their systems and designs. Again, great job!

[j.jastner]

I watch A LOT of space and SpaceX related videos. This is the channel I come to to make sure I haven't missed anything. This utuber is consistently fantastic at what he does. Kudos and Thank You!

[jimhartley]

Fantastic work, Zach! Your engineering skills reveal how much plain work is taking place at Boca Chica.

[KarmaMechanic]

A wise professor once told us there are only three percentages. 15% 50% and 85%. It's either most of the time about half the time or usually not. Words to live by

[a.srijamorn]

You guys know that when @CSIStarbase uploads a video about Stage Zero and/or Starship, you know it will be exciting.

[rocketman]

Can’t wait for this. Already know this is going to be amazing- I was so excited after the last part ended to see this one, and it’s finally happening!!

[ismailnyeyusof]

You’ve really earned your channel’s name of CSI. You’re able to bring in information from different sources and analyse them all to come up with a clear, combined picture. Well done!

[AlienVibesss]

Still 6 minutes until it's live, and I already know it's gonna be a banger. I always leave the video smarter than I entered. Struggling to wait to see what this one entails.

[scottd]

Thanks for your detailed and very well presented information! And all the best for you going full time with this, Zack. Terrific work by the entire CSI Starbase team!

[djredrover]

Banger, as usual. Good job securing that sponsor. I'm super happy for you bro.