4 ms·
> because there's not much fuel left in the tank to hover They can't hover at all, since the throttle doesn't go low enough. They need to do the landing perfec
by geon 10y ago
> because there's not much fuel left in the tank to hover
They can't hover at all, since the throttle doesn't go low enough. They need to do the landing perfectly, on a single try.
- fixermark 10y agoInteresting. That's a change from the Grasshopper testing platform? If I recall correctly, it was able to hover.
- doikor 10y agoThey probably just added weight so that it can hover. For the things actually going into space you don't have that option.
- david-given 10y agoI was all set to post something about how the Grasshopper used a different engine, but apparently both the Grasshopper and the F9 first stage use Merlin 1D engines. Wikipedia says that these produce 700kN at sea level and can be throttled down to 70%, which means at minimum power one engine could hover about 50 tonnes. I can't find out what Grasshopper massed. Does anyone know?
- ohitsdom 10y agoGreat clarification, thanks.