What Happened to Starship? SpaceX Orbital Launch Attempt Explained

Join NSF's John ''Das'' Galloway as he explains the SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Launch in terms everyone can understand... and makes a mess in his backyard with a pressure washer to study the physics that could hurl slabs of concrete hundreds of feet into the air. Uncovering the hidden facts and realities behind the massive dust cloud, we go on an exciting journey where science, engineering, and exploration intersect.

In this video, we make miniature replicas of the launch pad and simulate conditions that might've caused the strange occurrences during the Starship's liftoff. We discuss the absence of launch pad infrastructure like flame diverters and flame trenches and how their absence might have affected the launch. We raise questions about the unexpected engine failures and attempt to make sense of the chaotic aftermath.

Was it merely statistical anomalies or were there concrete causes? Was the dust cloud that engulfed the site actually dust, sand or pulverized concrete? You'll find it all in this video!

This video promises a thrilling exploration of the Starship launch and its challenges, paired with an exciting blend of citizen science and game fun.

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L2 Boca Chica (more clips and photos) from BC's very early days to today.

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[lnchgj]

I’ve been watching space specials since 1964. Even playing hooky from school to watch the Gemini and Apollo launches in the day. Clearly the media had abundant and timely information from NASA in the day to use in those specials. SpaceX, on the other hand, tends to keep such information close to the vest. All this to say, that was one of the best spaceflight programs I have ever seen. Well done.

[mrtveye]

Love that you didn't shy away from presenting some critical observations/conclusions, but without overdramatizing it. Should be the norm, but in this day and age where almost everything seems to be just black or white, I think it's worth mentioning.

[karatwilight]

Generally, in nature, concrete is rarely observed flying at the heights witnessed in the Starship test launch.

[kazioo]

This launch proves that a slow abort mode for the second stage actually makes a lot of sense. A failing booster does not always RUD in under a second. There were more launches in history where people were observing weird behavior of a booster for many, many seconds, being aware it's probably not gonna get to orbit. In other words Starship should have an ability to do early stage separation in case of a bad booster performance and try going back to launch site and land if people are onboard. The computer in the booster may still be capable of power cut off etc. and it would be worth trying to save the crew.

[awuma]

This video should get some sort of top-rank award for technical/scientific films. Reporting, analysis and even experimentation of the highest quality. Excellent production values, writing and sound too.

[TmccreightGaming]

Are we SURE starship wasn't built by The Boring Company?

[Rorschach]

Gotta give props to those oilfield welders. They've proven to Elon precisely what I told him couple years ago before SpaceX started operations in Boca Chica and they were still planning to build/launch them at the cape. There's a shitton of high tech skills in the oil patch that most people don't realize.

[ShadowZone]

That was a fantastic video! If you want to retry the "pressure washer experiment" in a more robust way, might I suggest a collab with SmarterEveryDay? Destin has top tier slow motion gear and is an engineer that was worked on military missile systems, he might have an idea how to make a pad and thrust source replica on a scale that more realistically represents what happened to the concrete. Or he would know people who know how to set that up.
Or he would just shoot a baseball at the concrete at 1000mph 🤣

Seriously though, again: great effort on this video, really appreciate the level of detail you poured into it!

[prestonspinks]

John Galloway is, by far, the best host that has ever been on this channel.

[adventurewithbrett]

Wow! That explanation was totally bonkies!!

[bobferranti]

Das, this was one of the best video's you've made so far, your explanations were excellent! Thanks so much for clearing up many of the questions from the launch day. You ROCK!

[ahollaubek]

Das and whoever else was working on this, well effing done!! Brilliant video full of information and amazing tests in the backyard, I'll definitely rewatch it not only because it was way past my bedtime but mainly because it is a bloody great video, thank you!!

[Tilion]

John, love what you're doing now, so happy for ya - but this is the Das we've missed. More of this!

[markw]

Yes, Das, we need you to build a scale version of the OLM and a 33 pressure washer booster to test out your theories even more!!

[AvilaDreamer]

Thanks, Das !! This was really interesting, and super informative. 👍 There's so much to learn here, and SpaceX is moving forward pretty quickly with new variants of systems that obviously needed upgrades. Who knows what they've learned that we can't easily see. 🙄 You're totally right - lighting/blowing things up is how SpaceX dances and progresses so quickly (it's an absolutely perfect example of "failing forward"). Appreciate you and everyone at NSF soooo much! I'm thrilled in NSF's success and growth. Looking forward to continued exceptional coverage, insight, observations, and intel. Love these new segments too! You guys rock!! Go Starship!! 😃✨🚀

[MarcelHuguenin]

Excellent video Das! Analytical and entertaining, great to watch! And you've proved that pressure washers can fly! 🤣

[Dolvid]

The way you handled that sponsorship was very good. I felt like you were being honest about the reason you chose this sponsor and your comments seemed genuine. I actually wanted to check out the product! Of course, cudos for the excellent content and production value!

[trashpandamanda]

Love the video Das!! Excellent job explaining everything!! Definitely need more Das long format educational videos!!

[rocketmanandrew]

This honestly might be my favorite NSF vid!

[laurin]

I would LOVE to see Many more of these Long-form Explainer VideosThanks Das and NSF Crew