mikegarrison Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 (edited) A "fairing" is any non-structural surface that exists to change the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic shape of an aircraft or boat. It's a fairing because it "fairs" the lines of the plane and also the streamlines of the fluid. We say the wing is "faired into the fuselage". Typically wings, winged keels, rudders, etc. would not be considered "fairings" because they intentionally create aerodynamic forces. Fairings are intended to reduce drag and/or protect what is under them, not make lift. For instance: The bulge where the wing attaches to the fuselage is called a wing-to-body fairing. It prevents vortices from forming there and creating "interference drag". The long grey shapes on the bottom of the wing are also fairings. These are "flap track fairings", and as you might imagine they protect the flap extension mechanisms. (They also serve a dual purpose as anti-shock bodies, but mainly they are there so the flaps can be extended.) The nose of the airplane is a fairing called a radome, that covers a radar antenna. Etc. So a rocket payload fairing is just a fairing. It's a non-structural shell that fairs the lines around the top of the rocket and protects the payload. I suppose, however, that if they are used to a payload fairing as being the only kind of "fairing" they ever talk about, they might be tempted to come up with some other words to describe different fairings. Like maybe "aerocover", I guess. Edited September 12, 2020 by mikegarrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zolotiyeruki Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 22 hours ago, kerbiloid said: The long and narrow aerodynamic detail from the cabin glass to the fin ("гаргрот") - is it a "fairing", too? Or what's her English name? Reveal hidden contents I've seen it called either a "turtle back" or a "fastback". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropian Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Wow, they're really doing some rapid development! <hype intensifies> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealKerbal3x Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, tater said: That's pretty cool, two active Starship prototypes sitting right next to each other. Anyone want to take a guess on how many flight-proven SLS prototypes there are? 12 minutes ago, tater said: That's going to be fantastic to see. The bellyflop maneuver will look insane. Also, SN7.1 already did a cryo proof test, and now it's been lifted onto the stand for pressure tests with the thrust simulator... Edited September 12, 2020 by RealKerbal3x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothalogh Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 On 9/11/2020 at 12:44 PM, tater said: I'd be more interested in air augmentation on ascent A BFR going full Gnom on ascent would be a sight to behold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCgothic Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 If something goes wrong with SN8... No big deal. SNs 9,10 and 11 are waiting. If something goes wrong with the green run... No Artemis One. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Can someone refresh me on sn9 and sn10? I know that sn7 is a test tank, sn8 is neat done, and we have seen a few parts for sn11, but i have forgotten what stage 9 and 10 were at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCgothic Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 SN9 and 10 are starting to get sleeved. I think some of SN9's sleeved domes may have been mated to some additional rings but I'm not sure. SN 11 is still just bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Something might also be SH in that mix. Not impossible, it's just SS writ large (as long as the parts are upper domes and not the thrust structure). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 I think that the SN 10 and 11 might be superheavy. Because that's weird to have 3 different starships in rapid production, or I am just not ready to have 6 starships in one place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 What are they going to do with SN5 and SN6? More short hops or retire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 33 minutes ago, sh1pman said: What are they going to do with SN5 and SN6? More short hops or retire? No idea, not much to do with them, really, though they could I suppose try new leg designs out with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 13 minutes ago, tater said: No idea, not much to do with them, really, though they could I suppose try new leg designs out with them. Is there anything stopping them from turning SN5 and 6 into proper Starships with fins, nose cones and many engines? They can fly, so why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 17 minutes ago, sh1pman said: Is there anything stopping them from turning SN5 and 6 into proper Starships with fins, nose cones and many engines? They can fly, so why not? Dunno if the propellant supply lines (downcomer, etc) are plumbed for multiple engines. Maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothalogh Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 3 hours ago, Ultimate Steve said: Can someone refresh me on sn9 and sn10? I know that sn7 is a test tank, sn8 is neat done, and we have seen a few parts for sn11, but i have forgotten what stage 9 and 10 were at. I'm looking forward to when these things have names, instead of numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOXBLOX Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 18 minutes ago, Nothalogh said: I'm looking forward to when these things have names, instead of numbers. As long as they don't give names like Enterprise or Endeavour. These flying grain silos are cool, but they aren't warships, or even ships at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothalogh Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 17 minutes ago, SOXBLOX said: As long as they don't give names like Enterprise or Endeavour We already know Elon is a man of taste,, they will be named from the Culture series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 25 minutes ago, Nothalogh said: We already know Elon is a man of taste,, they will be named from the Culture series He said one would be Heart of Gold. Think they will wait until they have more flight experience for some of that. As long as they are in potentially destructive iteration, SN# is fine. 46 minutes ago, SOXBLOX said: As long as they don't give names like Enterprise or Endeavour. These flying grain silos are cool, but they aren't warships, or even ships at all. Yeah, orbital ships can get names, and even then, better not to name them til they are able to be reused. New fins: Those are the bottom ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubinator Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 10 minutes ago, tater said: As long as they are in potentially destructive iteration, SN# is fine. Untitled Space Craft comes to mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnemoe Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 2 hours ago, The Doodling Astronaut said: I think that the SN 10 and 11 might be superheavy. Because that's weird to have 3 different starships in rapid production, or I am just not ready to have 6 starships in one place! I say its very unlikely, SH will have an very different trust structure because all the engines. Thicker skin and I assume internal ribbing so it can hold up an starship wile not pressurized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 8 minutes ago, magnemoe said: I say its very unlikely, SH will have an very different trust structure because all the engines. Thicker skin and I assume internal ribbing so it can hold up an starship wile not pressurized. Good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFUN Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 38 minutes ago, cubinator said: Untitled Space Craft comes to mind... I could go for a Starship called "New Falcon Ship Name" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nothalogh Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) 51 minutes ago, cubinator said: Untitled Space Craft comes to mind... To be fair, the first named one ought to be Atlas, as a nod to the other stainless steel rocket. Edited September 13, 2020 by Nothalogh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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