STARSHIP : Il se PASSE une chose très ÉTRANGE... - Le Journal de la Starbase #398 - Le JDE

Item: STARSHIP : Il se PASSE une chose très ÉTRANGE... - Le Journal de la Starbase #398 - Le JDE
Rating: 4
Author: PostSingularity Institute

STARSHIP: Something very STRANGE is HAPPENING... - Starbase Journal #398 - The JDE

by Quentin Leicht · View the channel on PSI

Formal & Physical Sciences Space Exploration TRTransport technology and trades TRPAerospace and aviation technology

🎙 Quentin Leicht 👥 400K 📅 September 16, 2026 ⏱ 18 min 👁 2K 📄 news review 🧭 2026-09-16

Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

dew pointsound wavesStarshipSpaceXdeluge system

Summary

In this episode, presenter Quentin from Le Journal de l’Espace first unravels the mystery of the pulsing cloud seen during Starship static fires. He explains that the cloud is made of water vapor from the launch pad deluge system, suspended near the dew point. The intense sound waves from the 33 Raptor engines cause rapid pressure variations, leading to alternating evaporation and condensation, which creates a strobe-like effect visible in slow motion. The video uses the analogy of a wheat field to illustrate that the water itself does not move, only the pressure wave does. The second half covers recent Starbase developments: SpaceX’s purchase of 180 hectares near Brownsville with speculated uses (data center or logistics), tests on Ship 42 simulating catch maneuvers, progress on Pad A’s new flame trench, arrival of components for the Gigabay’s overhead cranes, and preparations for the 14th Starship flight scheduled for September 18, 2026. The episode concludes with a call to subscribe and a teaser for a special program on space and finance.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video delivers a clear and compelling physical explanation of a visually striking phenomenon, supported by quantitative references (e.g., the Brigham Young study on sound levels). The argumentation follows a logical structure: from the composition of the cloud to the role of the dew point and sound waves, and finally applies these principles to the specific case of Starship static fires. The analogy of a wheat field effectively clarifies the concept that matter does not travel with the wave. The news section provides factual updates with a clear distinction between confirmed information and speculation, particularly regarding the intended use of the newly acquired land. Overall, the value lies in both educational and informational content.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video relies on a peer-reviewed source (the JASA Express Letters paper) to substantiate acoustic claims, which enhances its scientific credibility. However, it does not provide a direct link to this paper, and the description only lists general credits. The title is slightly sensationalist but accurately points to the main focus of the episode. The content is well-structured and consistent with the title, with a dedicated section on the cloud phenomenon followed by news updates. Multiple external photographers and channels are credited, though some are only mentioned verbally. Despite the lack of explicit citations for certain claims, the overall rigor is appropriate for a space news channel.

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Title / Content Match

The title highlights an intriguing phenomenon that is thoroughly explained in the first half, while the rest covers related SpaceX news. The title accurately reflects the primary focus.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The video offers a scientifically grounded explanation of the pulsing cloud phenomenon, citing a peer-reviewed study from Brigham Young University. News updates are clear and separate facts from speculation. Minor shortcomings include no direct link to the cited study and some speculative commentary on the land purchase.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Sound level measurements of Starship Flight 5 (JASA Express Letters) — Mentioned in the video as a study by Kent G. and colleagues from Brigham Young University, published in November 2024.
Le Journal de l'Espace – Official website — Referenced as the main source for episode information and supporting documents.
RGV Aerial Photography (YouTube) — Provided drone footage of the newly acquired land and other Starbase activities.
Marcus House (YouTube) — Reported via envoy Shawn Gisler on the arrival of crane components for the Gigabay.
Listing of subscriber questions and answers (PDF) — A summary of questions and episodes, referenced for completeness.

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video provides a novel and accessible explanation for a commonly observed but often misinterpreted phenomenon at the Starbase, bridging fluid dynamics and acoustics. It also aggregates the latest SpaceX news, offering up-to-date information on infrastructure and flight preparations.

Pour aller plus loin :

Dew point — Central concept behind the cloud formation and evaporation cycles.
Sound — Explanation of pressure waves and their propagation, key to the pulsing effect.
Phase transition — The evaporation/condensation process driven by temperature variations.
Flame trench — Launch pad infrastructure that directs exhaust and absorbs acoustic energy.

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Radar Profile

The profile shows a well-rounded video with high scores in information quantity and quality, a solid technical level, and reliable sourcing, making it a valuable reference for both space enthusiasts and those interested in the physics of rocket launches.

Reliability 8/10