Short Takes – 8-15-25

SpaceX reveals why the last two Starships failed as another launch draws near. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “SpaceX identified the most probable cause for the May failure as a faulty main fuel tank pressurization system diffuser located on the forward dome of Starship's primary methane tank. The diffuser failed a few minutes after launch, when sensors detected a pressure drop in the main methane tank and a pressure increase in the ship's nose cone just above the tank.”

SpaceX cleared for tenth Starship test flight. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “In addition to the Flight 9 analysis, SpaceX disclosed details about the loss of a Starship upper stage known as Ship 36 that was destroyed during preparations for a static-fire test June 19. The company said “undetectable or under screened damage” to a composite overwrapped pressure vessel, or COPV, containing nitrogen caused the COPV to fail. That damaged the vehicle and caused its propellants to mix, triggering an explosion.”

Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Participation in the Maritime Security Program. Federal Register MARAD 30-day ICR revision/renewal notice. Summary: “The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on its intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0525 (Application for Participation in the Maritime Security Program) is used to determine: the best qualified applicants for inclusion in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) during open solicitations, and continued qualification for inclusion in MSP by existing participants based on their financial statements. Proposed changes include instructions for electronic submission of applications, updates to statutory citations, removal of commercial references that are no longer relevant to MSP, and changes to certain collected information that better reflects current maritime business practice.” Comments due: No date given, should be September 15^th, 2025.

Swarm of over 100 earthquakes shakes Northern California. SFGate.com article. Pull quote: “While the sequence’s location is far from the state’s major fault systems, Hough cautioned that earthquake activity “always statistically increases the odds of more activity once you’re disturbing other faults.” She [USGS seismologist Susan Hough] added, “There’s definitely a chance that you’ll have other felt earthquakes in the area.””

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