SpaceX Pushed Starship TT-17 to Limit, Booster V3 data Found! S38 Test Scrubbed Again, WHY?

While we were still focused on the flight 11 preparatory test, which experienced its second scrub, another important trial was taking place at Massie. Test tank 17 was pushed to its absolute limits, demonstrating just how far SpaceX is willing to go to ensure progress. So, what comes next? One of the most exciting updates is that my favorite rover Viper has officially been saved and is now set to launch with the help of a very familiar company. Can you guess which company that'll be? At the same time, NASA reached another major milestone. The final piece of the Orion spacecraft has been successfully installed, bringing the vehicle closer to readiness for future deep space missions. All this and more will be revealed on today's episode of Great SpaceX. Over the past few months, much of the spotlight has been on Starship tests and launches. However, there is another prototype that has been undergoing its own rigorous campaign of trials, and it deserves just as much attention. This is Test Tank 17, also referred to as booster 18.1, a prototype built to simulate the next generation Superheavy V3. What makes Test Tank 17 so important is that it introduces several key upgrades. Most notably, a new aftend heat shield system. Unlike earlier versions, this one features hexagonal metallic heat shields designed to withstand extreme heat and pressure during flight. These changes along with other structural refinements are being tested to validate the design and collect the data needed for the V3 upgrade. The tank section first arrived at the Massie test site on May 10th, just before the facility experienced its wellocumented incident. Since then, it has undergone no fewer than 10 tests. The 10th and most recent trial carried out on the 19th of September captured widespread attention. Video footage from Massie showed the test area engulfed in dramatic venting with powerful plumes escaping not only from the vehicle itself, but also from several nearby tubes. Unlike earlier runs, this trial appeared to push the prototype far beyond standard conditions. It's likely that the structure was intentionally driven to its maximum threshold, which may have caused an overload or rupture, leading to the forceful venting that was observed. This was not an accident, but a carefully designed stress test. SpaceX deliberately pushed the tank to its breaking point in order to gather valuable information about the limits of its new design. Data from such trials will directly influence the final configuration of official flight hardware, helping to ensure both reliability and performance. The question now is what comes next for test tank 17. Will it be transported back to the production site for repair and upgrades, allowing it to continue serving as a test bed, or has it completed its purpose and will soon be retired for good? What do you think? Let me know with an upgraded if you believe it will fly again in testing or scrapped if you think the journey is over. And so after the early morning excitement with Test Tank 17, which served as something of an appetizer, attention quickly shifted to the main course, SpaceX's effort to prepare for flight 11. In the previous update, SpaceX encountered a setback that led to the abort of the first test attempt. Fortunately, another testing window has already been scheduled for September 19th. This meant that from the evening of the 18th through the morning of the 19th, SpaceX teams worked tirelessly to resolve the problem. Crews were lifted to the ship quick disconnect area where they removed both the fuel lines and the quick disconnect plate for inspection and repair. Later, these components were carefully reinstalled, signaling that the immediate issue had been addressed. As predicted earlier, the root cause did indeed stem from the fueling system. However, the problem was not within the main infrastructure of the launchpad itself, but rather in the separate fueling lines of the ship test system. This discovery is somewhat reassuring since it suggests that the pad's core systems remain intact. The issue most likely arose due to repeated disassemblies and movements of the fuel line over time. Thanks to the team's persistence, the second test attempt began at 7:00 in the morning on the 19th, right on schedule. The launch tower's chopsticks were raised once again and the SQD was returned to its position. Soon after, the DSS was activated and venting activity appeared at the OOLM. As fueling progressed, venting expanded to the surrounding tank farm, marking the onset of propellant loading. Frost quickly climbed to more than halfway up the liquid oxygen tank, suggesting that SpaceX intended to test six engines. Strangely, the frost then began to recede, indicating a halt in fueling. Shortly afterward, the chopsticks lowered to secure the ship once more. No official reports were provided at the time, but the situation pointed to a serious issue. It could have been a new complication or possibly a recurrence of the previously repaired problem with the fuel line and quick disconnect plate. In response, SpaceX announced additional road closures scheduled for the 22nd and the 23rd, running from 7 in the morning to 5 in the evening central. These closures give the team two full days to address the issue before attempting another test. However, this development means delays for the broader timeline. S38, which was expected to return to the production site soon, may now have to wait until the 24th or the 25th. Following that, a full week will likely be required for inspections and installations. As a result, hopes of fully stacking Starship this month are fading, and the launch timelines will inevitably be pushed back. Even so, SpaceX's top priority is clear. Success on the next flight attempt. Rather than rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines, the company is likely to focus on careful preparation and thorough testing. Every abort and every delay is frustrating, but they also reflect the company's commitment to safety and reliability. With the new schedule in place, all eyes are on the next steps. The hope is that these adjustments will ensure smoother operations and a successful path forward for flight 11. If you want to show support for the team's relentless work, respond with keep working in the comment section down below. You can also share your predictions for the next launch date after these recent developments. And don't forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with SpaceX's remarkable journey. And now we turn to the most troubled lunar projects in recent memory. NASA's Viper Rover. For years, the volatiles investigating polar exploration rover has been on an uncertain path. Production was completed, yet the program nearly collapsed under the weight of rising costs. It was briefly cancelled, later saved, and then placed on indefinite hold, leaving its future in doubt. But now, after months of deliberation, a decision has finally been made. NASA recently announced on X after exploring innovative and coste effective approaches NASA has selected Blue Origin to deliver the Viper rover to the moon. Viper will search for vital resources like water ice to support a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. This marks a dramatic turning point in Viper's story. The official update explained that NASA has awarded Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, a task order under the commercial lunar payload services program with the option to deliver Viper to the moon's south pole region as part of the Aremis campaign. The total potential value of this award is $190 million, a significant contract that underscores both NASA's commitment to the mission and Blue Origin's expanding role in lunar exploration. This is not Blue Origin's first step into CLPS. In fact, it's the company's second lunar delivery assignment. The first scheduled for later this year will use the Blue Moon Mark1 robotic lander to transport NASA's stereo cameras for lunar plume surface studies and a laser retroreflective array to the moon's south pole region. The Viper mission, however, is even more ambitious and it highlights NASA's trust in Blue Origin's developing capabilities. According to NASA, Viper will be delivered in late 2027 using a second Blue Moon Mark1 lander, which is already in production. Blue Origin addits own statement, "Our second Blue Moon Mark1 lander is already in production and well suited to support the Viper rover. Building on the learnings from our first Mark1 lander, this mission is important for future lunar permanence and will teach us about the origin and distribution of water on the moon. Once deployed, Viper is expected to operate for about a 100 Earth days. It'll traverse the rugged terrain near the lunar south pole, searching for deposits of water ice that could one day sustain astronauts living and working on the moon. The mission responsibilities are clearly defined. NASA will lead these science operations while Blue Origin will handle the mission architecture as well as the integration of Viper onto the lander and deployment of the rover onto the lunar surface. Notably, the CLPS contract does not cover the launch vehicle, leaving open the question of which rocket will carry the lander into space. NASA leaders have been clear about the importance of this mission. Nikki Fox, associate administrator of NASA's science mission directorate, explained, "NASA is committed to studying and exploring the moon, including learning more about water on the lunar surface to help determine how we can harness local resources for future human exploration. We've been looking for creative cost-effective approaches to accomplish these explorations. This private sector developed landing capability enables this delivery and focuses our publications accordingly, supporting American leadership in space and ensuring our long-term exploration is robust and affordable. For supporters of Viper, this announcement is welcome news. While it will not be flying aboard a SpaceX rocket, Blue Origin's involvement gives the rover a renewed chance to finally carry out its mission. If successful, Viper could not only uncover vital information about lunar resources, but also pave the way for humanity's long-term presence on the moon. The rover's fate has been uncertain for years, but now its story moves forward once again. The next chapter belongs to Blue Origin and NASA as they prepare for one of the most anticipated robotic missions of the Aremis era. NASA has also reached another critical milestone in preparing the Aremis 2 vehicle, the mission that will carry astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than half a century. Recently released images confirm that teams have completed the installation of the launch aboard system a top the Orion spacecraft. Standing at 44 ft or about 13.4 4 meters tall. The LS is the pointed tower structure mounted on top of the SLS, which is designed to protect astronauts in the event of an emergency during launch. NASA acting administrator Shawn Duffy shared the news on X writing, "Another critical piece of Artemis 2 has locked in. We are one step closer to the moon. NASA teams have secured the Orion spacecraft with its launch abort system. If anything happens during launch, this piece will propel Orion and the crew out of danger, keeping them safe and secure. His statement highlights the importance of this system, which serves as a vital safeguard for the mission's crew. NASA has also detailed how the LS functions. It's powered by three solid rocket motors, the abort motor, the attitude control motor, and the jettison motor. In the event of a launch emergency, the abort motor pulls the Orion crew module rapidly away from the rocket. The attitude control motor then maneuvers and stabilizes the capsule's orientation, ensuring it remains upright. Finally, the jettison motor separates the LS from the crew module so that parachutes can deploy for a safe landing. In a normal launch, the system is discarded once Orion passes the most intense portion of ascent, shedding thousands of pounds to allow the spacecraft to continue efficiently on its path to the moon. Looking ahead, NASA explained that teams will now complete closeout activities before transferring Orion to the VAB. There, it'll be integrated at top the massive SLS rocket, forming the fully stacked Artemis 2 vehicle. From there, the rocket will eventually roll out to the launchpad for final preparations. With all major hardware now in place, Artemis 2 is taking shape as the historic next step in NASA's Aremis program. This milestone brings humanity closer to once again sending astronauts beyond Earth orbit and paves the way for future missions that will return humans to the lunar surface. Stay tuned because each step forward marks progress toward an era of renewed exploration. In any case, folks, this has been Kevin with Great SpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay up to date with yours truly on the latest milestones in SpaceX's journey. Thank you so much for watching and always remember, curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will follow you so long as you keep looking up.