SpaceX has filed for FCC approval to fly Starlink terminals on the Super Heavy and Starship vehicles during the orbital launch demonstration. The requested start date is Aug. 1, meaning no launch in July if SpaceX wants to fly with Starlink onboard.
"SpaceX intends demonstrate high data rate communications with Starship and the Super Heavy Booster on the ground at the launch site in Starbase, TX during launch, during booster recovery, in flight, and during reentry."
"Starlink can provide unprecedented volumes of telemetry and enable communications during atmospheric reentry when ionized plasma around the spacecraft inhibits conventional telemetry frequencies."
"The terminals will use the same antenna and communications electronics as SpaceX’s previously authorized consumer terminals but with a revised enclosure and mounting that is suitable for the mission profile."
I have attached the exhibit with additional details to this forum post.
"I agree with the SEP’s assignment of a significant strength for SpaceX’s proposed capability to substantially exceed NASA’s threshold values or meet NASA’s goal values for numerous initial performance requirements."
"I note that the SEP did not identify any significant strengths within Blue Origin’s technical proposal. Nonetheless, Blue Origin’s proposal has several attractive technical attributes."
"I note that while the SEP evaluated several positive attributes for Dynetics’ technical approach under this factor, none of them resulted in the assignment of a significant strength."
Following up on @thejackbeyer's find, I can confirm that Deimos and Phobos are the names of two oil rigs purchased by SpaceX – likely for conversion to support Starship operations.
ENSCO 8500 and ENSCO 8501 were the previous names of the rigs. They are nearly identical twins.
BOOM!
Both rigs were purchased by Lone Star Mineral Development LLC which is either a SpaceX subsidiary or a subsidiary of a company that SpaceX is leasing the rigs from (like SpaceX does with the droneships).
If you think we didn't do a quick Google search, go "hey, this actually might be related to the Shell Deimos project," you are wrong. We did. It is not related.
Is the undisclosed buyer SpaceX? I have found no indisputable evidence other than a Deimos sign appearing on the side of the rig (spotted by @thejackbeyer). So yes, there is some uncertainty, but it seems very possible.
Looks like SpaceX may be making a pressurize to failure attempt.
Watch Live:
Tons of condensation coming from the bottom now. This might finally be happening. Still could have an issue at any time of course, but looking promising!
After something like 18 hours of streaming, FROST IS FORMING!
The lack of development funding means that SpaceX has to price funding for a Mobile Service Tower, extended payload fairing, etc into their pricing for NSSL Phase 2.
I wonder if this could have hurt SpaceX's NSSL Phase 2 bid, as their pricing probably ended up being very similar to ULA. Thus, SpaceX's usual advantage on cost might have been wiped away.