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Author
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Topic: SpaceX Starship Test Flight patches
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50525
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-14-2023 05:14 PM
   
SpaceX has released its insignia for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas: |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50525
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-20-2023 10:07 AM
SpaceX is now taking orders for its Starship Test Flight patch. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 294
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 04-20-2023 04:04 PM
So now they are back to producing patches? Even after an unsuccessful test? Yes, I am aware much data and experience was learned but the vehicle exploded unintentionally (that is a failure). My comments come because SpaceX stated and held their ground in the past, patches would not be released until the mission was successful. Yes, companies can change their minds but after stopping production of CRS patches before CRS-20 along with other missions, I gave up on collecting SpaceX patches. I find the selling of this patch "amusing" after their patch history disappointments. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50525
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-20-2023 05:08 PM
Technically speaking, the vehicle's explosion was intentional — it was commanded by the flight termination systems for both Starship and Super Heavy. It was the failure of the stages to separate and the tumbling that were not to plan.SpaceX said from the start that "mission success" for this test flight was just clearing the pad. Anything that happened after was just "gravy," adding to the data they collected from the launch. So in that sense, the test flight was a success. Why SpaceX chose this flight to resume patch sales is unknown. Given they also released several Starship products this week, I suspect it was because they saw the increased interest from the public in this particular flight. It is also not clear yet if this patch will represent all of the upcoming Starship test flights or if it is unique to the first. |
David C
Member Posts: 1397
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 04-21-2023 07:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by J Blackburn:
Yes, I am aware much data and experience was learned but the vehicle exploded unintentionally (that is a failure).
That's not how flight test of anything works. You have a list of objectives to achieve — primary, secondary etc. You then have a criteria for success. We don't know what all the FTOs were on this, but from what was said pre-flight, it's likely that most, if not all primary objectives were met. It's unlikely to have been 100% successful, but we don't even know that. What's a passing grade? Certainly doesn't require 100%. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 294
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 04-21-2023 08:26 AM
Then, may I ask just what was SpaceX's main mission goal yesterday? There was a mission goal and that goal was documented. According to Space.com the goal was and I quote, "The goal was to get Starship to a maximum altitude of about 145 miles (233 km), then bring it barreling back into Earth's atmosphere for a trial-by-fire reentry, ending with a hard splashdown in the Pacific Ocean not far from the Hawaiian island of Kauai about 90 minutes after liftoff." I do not think any cigars were lit after yesterday's test. So, with that said I guess SpaceX has for now changed their direction from their recent patch production history and is now a space swag company. From a post a few years ago on this forum as I remember Elon Musk was quoted of making a statement he did not want to become a "space swag" company. I love space related patches as a collector but do not like when a company in their prime decides to stop selling patches only to start up again after dozens of missions are not available and collections go incomplete. I am not one who likes knock off patches being made and sold for the lost missions. Yes, it is my choice not to purchase from them but for those who do I wish you the best of luck collecting. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50525
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-21-2023 09:01 AM
No other company in history has launched at the frequency that SpaceX has, such that no other company in history has had to consider the logistics of issuing patches when there is a new one every week (or even every couple of days). SpaceX does produce and sell collectibles for both their employees and the public, so they recognize the desire that exists. It just may have been there wasn't as a large demand for, say, CRS-23, as there was for Starship Flight Test 1. (That doesn't exactly answer the lack of patch sales for the Crew Dragon flights, but maybe SpaceX figures it is being respectful to the crew's own patch by keeping its own design in-house.) (As for the details of first test flight, we have a separate topic where that is being discussed and debated.) |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50525
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-25-2023 01:58 PM
RetroRocket Emblems is taking pre-orders for its SpaceX Starship flight test patch, an original design. On Thursday, April 20, 2023, the SpaceX Starship full stack made it's maiden flight. Like many flights of this type, the milestones were generous and it achieved several before veering out of control and terminating its flight over the Gulf of Mexico. This patch notes several of the milestones that the test flight did achieve and shows the six Raptor engines that failed along the way. The patch is 4" in diameter. Delivery expected mid-May.  |
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