Thread by @Ringwatchers

The 3 interstage clamps that connect Starship and Superheavy together are a critical piece in the Starship full stack, but there isn’t much documentation of how they work and how they have changed through the generations of vehicles. Let’s change that. (1/14)

📸: @ChameleonCir

@ChameleonCir Two designs of these clamps have been used on Starship to date, with test article B2.1 being the first to have them. Notice how they have a much wider lip. This style was used until S21 and B6. (2/14)

📸: @BocaChicaGal

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal The old style is important to note because this was the only time where we got to see the actuation mechanism in action. A hydraulic actuator would simply be able to push and pull on it to lock and unlock, with a large spring pressing on it while locked. (3/14)

📸: @BocaChicaGal

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal On S22 and B7, a new clamp design was implemented that uses a much more hook-shaped clamp. This is the side and front profile of this new design. (4/14)

📸: @RGVaerialphotos

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos While there was a lot of speculation about how these clamps retracted, we never really had a chance to see this happen until @CSI_Starbase noticed this during S24’s realignment on top of B7. (5/14)

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase The new clamps retract a lot further back than the old design, making sure they properly clear the Starship. This video shows a test of these clamps in real-time. (6/14)

📸: @LabPadre

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre Here is a visualization of the unlocking and locking motion with these clamps, showing the rotation back. (7/14)

📸: @ChameleonCir

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre Using our knowledge of how the old style was actuated, this is a speculative design of the new style's system. We are yet to see the inside, but this is our best guess. (8/14)

📸: @ChameleonCir

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre It's also important to note that this has likely shifted away from a hydraulic-powered system on B9+, due to the lack of Hydraulic Power Units. So it's possible that this system is now using an electric linear actuator or some alternative system. (9/14)

📸: @LabPadre @NicAnsuini

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre @NicAnsuini You will also notice these wedge-shaped pieces surrounding the clamps, which likely make sure the clamps are properly aligned with the slots in the Ship and may provide some protection. (10/14)

📸: @RGVaerialphotos

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre @NicAnsuini The Ship sits on a rim that goes around the entire perimeter of the interstage, and this rim has 2 notches surrounding each clamp. These notches ensure that the Ship will stay in the perfect position for the clamps to extend and lock. (11/14)

📸: @RGVaerialphotos

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre @NicAnsuini The test stands also had their clamps replaced, with the design kept mostly the same, but the clamp piece only tilts back like the older clamps. The green part is the clamp, and the yellow parts act the same as the wedge-shaped pieces on the Booster. (12/14)

📸: @RGVaerialphotos

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre @NicAnsuini These clamps are all that make up the stage separation system, with no extra hardware like what is present on Falcon 9. If you want to learn more about Starship’s staging, check out this timestamped video from @Erdayastronaut (13/14)

@ChameleonCir @BocaChicaGal @RGVaerialphotos @CSI_Starbase @LabPadre @NicAnsuini @Erdayastronaut This critical system allows Starship and Superheavy to separate after MECO, and it’s pretty cool how it has evolved prior to the first flight of the integrated stack. Hopefully, this answers any questions about these clamps, but comments are always welcome as per usual! (14/14)