Ringwatchers Starship Thread 21/06
@Ringwatchers in @SpaceXChatSpaceX has begun modifying their new Starship vehicles with what appear to be multiple new vents located on the nosecone. Speculated to be part of the reaction control system, let's take a look at what's been happening.
First spotted being added to Ship 30's nosecone in the Ring Yard, there were 2 vents visible beside each other. When the nosecone moved to the Ring Yard, these were not present.
Around June 14th, crews began adding these same vents to the top of Ship 28's nosecone, with those same 2 vents visible. You can even see the right one is taped over to keep the pipe clean.
Ship 31's nosecone came outside on June 19th, now sporting these new vents, which showed that they were symmetrical on the nosecone. These 4 vents seem to be a late decision from SpaceX, but why?
It's possible that SpaceX just decided to make this design change now because they can, or maybe they now believe that more control authority is needed if these are acting as RCS, or maybe it’s something else.
Another change regarding the nosecone vents is these 2 bell-shaped diverters overtop of the existing nosecone vents. While this specific cone has been scrapped some of the others have already begun receiving these "nosebells" (lol).
So that's what we've seen happening with the nosecones. Plans are rapidly changing at Starbase, as they always do, and design changes are constantly occurring. Maybe there will be more mid-build changes happening to these Ships, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.