Ab

No question.

16/
So while delays are frustrating, they show SpaceX is doing this the right way - testing hard, improving fast, and refusing to rush.

Starship’s future depends on it.

-End-

15/
If Flight 9 succeeds, it could unlock a faster launch cadence, tighter recovery systems, and a more reliable Starship fleet moving forward.

14/
A new aft tank section may belong to Booster 18, which could be the first of a refined Super Heavy design focused on better performance and reusability.

13/
Meanwhile, Booster 17 has entered cryogenic testing.

Ship 37 is being assembled to fly with it - possibly on Flight 11, which may attempt a Mechazilla catch.

12/
S35 is getting critical ignition system updates after failures in Flights 7 and 8.

Each ship engine matters - there’s no backup like on the booster.

11/
It’s a bold move: testing a worst-case landing profile in a controlled way.

The data could help build trust in recovery even during suboptimal descents.

10/
This simulates an engine-out scenario.

If B14 can land with only 2 engines, it proves Starship can survive partial engine failure - key for future Mechazilla-assisted landings.

9/
Flight 9 will also feature a major test: a 'planned engine failure'.

SpaceX will intentionally shut down one of B14’s 3 inner engines during landing.

8/
Earlier estimates pointed to a mid-April launch.

Now, late April looks more realistic - possibly April 26 - depending on how smoothly prep work goes.

7/
The investigation into Flight 8 is still open.

Though it may not block Flight 9, it adds pressure and could lead to last-minute design or procedure changes.

6/
Both B14 and S35 must complete a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) before launch.

SpaceX skipped this step for Flight 8 - likely a lesson learned.

5/
S35, the upper stage, was moved back to production in mid-March.

It hasn’t returned yet and still needs engine installs, static fires, and full inspections before flight.

4/
The clamp system used for hot staging might be getting extra attention after recurring issues during Flights 7 and 8.

Possible tweaks or redesigns could be extending the timeline.

3/
B14 is likely undergoing deep inspections.

Engineers are checking engines, installing the hot staging ring, and preparing the flight termination system - each step takes time.

2/
B14’s test marked the first reuse of a Starship booster - huge milestone.

But since then: no more tests, and the booster was removed from the launch mount.

Progress has paused.

1/
Starship Flight 9 started strong with B14’s static fire test on April 3, but momentum has slowed.

What’s causing the delay, what critical upgrades are in progress, and why this flight could be SpaceX’s most important yet 🧵

3/ Several reasons for the delay:
- Engine inspections
- Installation of the hot staging ring and flight termination system
- possible clamp system redesigns due to concerns from flights 7 & 8

2/ But since that test, progress has slowed at Starbase.

B14 was lifted off the orbital launch mount, and a road closure suggests it was returned for inspections and system installations.

9/ in conclusion

we're not just observers but participants in this AI driven era

as we inch closer to AGI, let's engage in discussions, policy making and ethical considerations to ensure a future that benefits all

the journey into the AI future is just beginning

/ end of thread

8/ navigating this new era will require foresight, adaptability and perhaps a reevaluation of our values and systems

the emergence of AGI invites us to imagine a future where humanity and AI coexist, each enhancing the other's potential

#navigatingthefuture

7/ with AGI's potential arrival, we're forced to confront not just technological, but existential questions:

what's our purpose?

how do we find value in a world where AI can do most things better?

the transition might be bumpy, but the long term prospects are promising

#existentialAI

6/ inside whispers from openAI suggest that AGI isn't just a dream

it might already exist, waiting for the right moment to be unveiled

imagine having AI that could match or outperform human intelligence in general tasks

#AGIishere

5/ the implications?

massive

AI like sora and autonomous agents could transform job landscape, automating tasks from coding to content creation

but it's not just about job displacement - it's a shift towards a new societal structure

#futureofwork

4/ AGI might emerge not from a single invention, but as a composite of advancements: sora's world simulation, chatgpt's conversational brilliance, autonomous agents, specialized AI chips and more

each component is a piece of the AI puzzle

3/ predictions for AGI's arrival are constantly being revised - and not toward later dates, but sooner

what was once deemed 50 years away, now seems possible within a decade - thanks to faster than anticipated advancements

#techprediction

2/ remember the 'second half of the chessboard'?

it's a metaphor for exponential growth, perfectly illustrating our current phase in AI development

we're accelerating into a future where AI capabilities might soon surpass our wildest imaginations

#exponentialgrowth

1/ let's dive into the latest buzz around #AI, focusing on openAI's groundbreaking platform, sora, and the broader conversation on AGI