Jump to content

SpaceX Discussion Thread


Skylon

Recommended Posts

3 minutes ago, Wjolcz said:

A static fire would make sense though...

yes SpaceX does static fires before the launch. They might drop them with superheavy once they get experience, engine out on that one will make engine out on an B52 with 8 engines look critical. F16 pilots tend to be sarcastic if you request an emergency landing because of engine out on an B52 :)
Starship will also have extremely good abort modes for an cargo missions as in far better than the shuttle who had them because it was manned. 
And you can refuel in orbit and use an 3rd stage to give you say 14 km/s with an 100 ton payload=Tilt^3. 
Stuff like Europa sea bed sample return become an option. 
Tilt^3, SpaceX is probably another Myspace, its just rocket science after all. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I kinda had the feeling this would happen... seemed a bit fishy when Musk was talking about the precision required for orbit and how SN2 was better... SpaceX is always very quick to abandon old ways if something might be better. Remember how short-lived the Falcon 1 was once F9 development got going.

 

The good news is, of course, that they really are building these things ridiculously fast! They spent quite a bit of time working out problems with the fuel tanks on SN1, so SN2 construction could potentially go *even* faster

 

Even without SN1, we could still be only a couple months away from having a fully flight-flight-ready vehicle.

 

Also... what about SN1's nosecone? What's gonna happen to that?

Edited by ThatGuyWithALongUsername
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, magnemoe said:

Not from the start but its look like SN1 failed the pressurization test and its no reason not to use the cone on SN2. 

? I'm reiterating what @Ultimate Steve just said for clarity. As far as I know, they have done no pressure tests at all on SN1 yet, it only went to the pad this morning. after all, and no road closures yet.

SpaceX has lousy naming schemes (like I should complain, you should see my KSP craft files, ugh).

Hopper was a thing.

Mark 1 was a thing, they put it all together for the photo op, then took the nose off, and tested the tank—which popped.

Then they built SN1.

The tank at the launch site right now is SN1, untested.

Parts for SN2 are already being constructed, too.

 

Edited by tater
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speculation over at NSF and the wording of those tweets suggest that SN1 will not fly. It would explain why they decided to stick all of the equipment on the outside of the stage and why they left the header tanks out...

If this is true... Ouch. That's twice now they have built a flight vehicle only to realize it's not good enough for flight. I wonder how many more they will have to build to actually get to the flight stage.

On the plus side, I guess, they can make full tanks in ~2 months now. Might still be acceptably close to SN2s testing.

AAAAAAAA I'm going to be an adult by the time something flies. Someone help, where did the time go? I'm not ready to be an adult yet. I'm not ready for the big wide world of taxes, politics, finances, insurance, bills, and five figure college debt!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Ultimate Steve said:

AAAAAAAA I'm going to be an adult by the time something flies. Someone help, where did the time go? I'm not ready to be an adult yet. I'm not ready for the big wide world of taxes, politics, finances, insurance, bills, and five figure college debt!

I used to be with it, but then they changed what 'it' was, and now what I'm with isn't it. And what's 'it' seems weird and scary to me... 

...and... 

Spoiler

 

 

359208.gif?b64lines=Li4uSXQnbGwgaGFwcGVu
<ebil, slightly senile laughter>

 

er.. anyways... 

49 minutes ago, RCgothic said:

It's not fully ruled out? SN1 could fly on a single raptor. You don't need as much fuel for low altitude hops which means you don't need as much thrust.

You guys are probably right though.

could it, tho? And would there be much data to be gleaned? What they really need/want to test is the whole skydiver thing, I don’t think a single-engined SN could get high enough for that. 

I suppose that’s the downside of rapid iteration and rejection of sunk cost fallacy, lots of rocket parts left lying by the side of the road... :wacko:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, tater said:

? I'm reiterating what @Ultimate Steve just said for clarity. As far as I know, they have done no pressure tests at all on SN1 yet, it only went to the pad this morning. after all, and no road closures yet.

SpaceX has lousy naming schemes (like I should complain, you should see my KSP craft files, ugh).

Hopper was a thing.

Mark 1 was a thing, they put it all together for the photo op, then took the nose off, and tested the tank—which popped.

Then they built SN1.

The tank at the launch site right now is SN1, untested.

Parts for SN2 are already being constructed, too.

. I thought it had been tested and failed based on the tweet. Luckily for SpaceX I was wrong :)

Plausible they will fly SN1 with just one engine. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm actually kind of happy they have decided not to fly SN1. It means that they have decided not rush things and are focusing on making sure this thing doesn't pop again.

Sure, its a little disappointing, but before you know it SN2 is already on the pad awaiting launch. Just ignore the clock and it will seem to happen in no-time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Remember when I said it's going to fly in late spring? I was about to say I was wrong and retract it but nah. Late spring it is then!

It's a shame DelayX strikes again. But then if they were to lose raptors (because it would crash or pop) it's probably for the better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There may be some margin between "too low" and "full design pressure".

I just find it odd that they're struggling with MK1 and SN1 which were both plainly better construction than Starhopper.

Edited by RCgothic
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...