(6/11) 6. QD Arm deploys from tower since chopsticks carriage is above for clearance. Once QD Arm deployed, the carriage can no longer move down the OLIT.
(1/11) Deep Dive 3 on the Ship Quick Disconnect (SQD): Starship Launch Sequence:
(2/11) 1. T - 10:00, a. Chopsticks’ vertical stabilizers retract from Ship sockets; b. Chopsticks lower 1m clearing load points on catching beams (which rise 0.75m when unloaded); c. Chopsticks open to max width (113°).
(3/11) 2. T - 8:00, Chopsticks rise to max height on OLIT, minimizing time in liftoff flames (SS traveling faster). Don’t have enough clearance to swing chopsticks across Starship, nor can the carriage move down the tower with the SQD arm deployed.
(1/8) Deep Dive 1 on the Ship Quick Disconnect (SQD) or “squid”. Following the excellent format used by Zack (@CSI_Starbase). First thread: “Axes of Motion” (at least 5 but could be 6 or 7 axes). 📸@Starshipgazer
(2/8) 1. SQD Arm on Orbital Launch Integration Tower (OLIT): Deploy/Retract (60 deg. of motion) about 17 m of clearance to OLM when retracted.
(3/8) 2. Claw & Platform deployment: Deploy/Retract (Platform halves attached to claw, L/R sides are connected to common plate on bottom of SQD Arm Extension)