Remarkableriots Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/29/20889605/spacex-elon-musk-starship-rocket-update-pictures-mk1 Quote “This thing is going to take off, fly to 65,000 feet — about 20 kilometers — and come back and land in about one to two months,” Musk said, referring to the stainless steel prototype behind him. The giant test article stood next to a SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket, the first vehicle the company put into orbit. The staging was symbolic, especially since the presentation occurred on the anniversary of SpaceX’s first flight to orbit with the Falcon 1. The test rocket in Boca Chica towers over 165 feet (50 meters) tall and has three of SpaceX’s next generation Raptor engines attached to its base. Its goal is to test out the launch and landing capabilities that the final Starship vehicle will need to be a fully reusable system. The prototype will use its engines to fly to a high altitude and then lower itself back down, performing what’s known as a propulsive landing — the same technique SpaceX uses to land its currently operational rockets. SpaceX still has a lot of work to do to get this thing flying on such a short timescale. The Starship prototype makes for an impressive sight on the ground. It’ll be even more of a spectacle when it finally takes to the skies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anathema- Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwheel86 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Note that's just the upper stage with 6 engines. The booster it'll ride on top of has 37 engines and is twice as tall. 150t to Low Earth Orbit. Meanwhile, NASA is salt. Yes, Crew Dragon is behind schedule but it's still ahead of Boeing Starliner and NASA's SLS rocket is massively behind schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 I think switching from carbon fiber to stainless steel was a game changer - Stainless steel is about 2% the cost of carbon fiber (according to Musk) and can take way higher thermal stresses and loads. Plus, stainless can be repaired in the field a lot easier than carbon fiber. Do I see them launching humans next year aboard this rocket? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if its launching cargo next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwheel86 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 26 minutes ago, mclumber1 said: Do I see them launching humans next year aboard this rocket? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if its launching cargo next year. How exactly does this thing deploy payloads since it doesn't have a fairing? Space Shuttle doors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 18 minutes ago, Jwheel86 said: How exactly does this thing deploy payloads since it doesn't have a fairing? Space Shuttle doors? The design as of a few years ago had a clam shell opening at the nose. It isn't clear if they are sticking with the clam shell though. The design has changed quite a bit in the last few years so who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbobo Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 that seems like a lot of ship to lift into orbit to delivery payloads like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 1 hour ago, elbobo said: that seems like a lot of ship to lift into orbit to delivery payloads like that If you use a smaller ship with a smaller payload capability, you'll likely have to throw away at least the upper stage (as SpaceX does with their Falcon 9). By making both the booster and the upper stage huge, there is so much margin that you have enough fuel left over in the second stage to reenter and land after the mission. Throwing away stages is expensive. The largest cost for Starship launches will be the fuel - maybe a couple million dollars worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anathema- Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 7 hours ago, mclumber1 said: If you use a smaller ship with a smaller payload capability, you'll likely have to throw away at least the upper stage (as SpaceX does with their Falcon 9). By making both the booster and the upper stage huge, there is so much margin that you have enough fuel left over in the second stage to reenter and land after the mission. Throwing away stages is expensive. The largest cost for Starship launches will be the fuel - maybe a couple million dollars worth. NERD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairslinger Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 20 hours ago, Jwheel86 said: Note that's just the upper stage with 6 engines. The booster it'll ride on top of has 37 engines and is twice as tall. 150t to Low Earth Orbit. Meanwhile, NASA is salt. Yes, Crew Dragon is behind schedule but it's still ahead of Boeing Starliner and NASA's SLS rocket is massively behind schedule. Doesn't he mean.... Quote Starship will be the most powerful rocket in history, capable of carrying humans to the Moon, Mars, to Infinity and beyond! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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