3 ms·

The reason they don't use chutes is that the stated long term goal is refuel and refly from the pad with the BFS. Chutes have to be repacked, means it's a no-g

The reason they don't use chutes is that the stated long term goal is refuel and refly from the pad with the BFS. Chutes have to be repacked, means it's a no-go. Powered landing is where it's at for true reusability.

LoSboccacc 9y ago
You have to replace the shock adsorber anyway, the chutes could be as well detachable and replaceable with a ready to go packed one, while the spents are sent back for repacking
- Inconel 9y ago
  From my understanding, the type of parachutes necessary for this, and the associated hardware needed for their safe deployment, are quite heavy and complicated.
agildehaus 9y ago
Chutes also have almost zero utility for a vehicle the size of the ITS when landing on Mars. Every single thing they're doing in this program is prep for Mars.
- SimbaOnSteroids 9y ago
  Not just SpaceX, everything Elon is doing is centered around mars. Yes some of these are a stretch, a big stretch even. Ok a ludicrous stretch. Anyways by company. SpaceX-pushing rocket tech makes mars a more targetable endevour. Tesla- better solar panels and better batteries mean you can consume and store more power on be red planet. Open AI- it's going to be very important to be able to prefab critical systems before any astronauts get there. AI can help there. Boring Company- Where do you build a home in a place with almost no atmosphere to shield you from radiation? Underground. What's nice and cylindrical and would fit nicely in a tube atop a rocket? Bore segments. Also TBC's bores are being designed with a smaller diameter than your typical bore. Elon says it's so cars can fit in them to revolutionize the LA commute, I see something that can be moduralized and put on top of a heavy lift rocket and used to prefab Martian living quarters.
GameDaddy 9y ago
Even the lightest wind is also hell on a targeted landing. Our model rocket experiments clearly demonstrate a significant force is applied with even the lightest winds which ends up putting the rocket far off course when choosing landing zones. We have actually been precalculating trajectories, and have used trial balloons to measure wind speed and direction immediately prior to launches, combined with planned pre-flight path alterations in an effort to land rockets with parachutes more accurately into a targeted area or small designated area.

LoSboccacc 9y ago

You have to replace the shock adsorber anyway, the chutes could be as well detachable and replaceable with a ready to go packed one, while the spents are sent back for repacking

Inconel 9y ago
From my understanding, the type of parachutes necessary for this, and the associated hardware needed for their safe deployment, are quite heavy and complicated.

agildehaus 9y ago

Chutes also have almost zero utility for a vehicle the size of the ITS when landing on Mars. Every single thing they're doing in this program is prep for Mars.

SimbaOnSteroids 9y ago
Not just SpaceX, everything Elon is doing is centered around mars. Yes some of these are a stretch, a big stretch even. Ok a ludicrous stretch. Anyways by company. SpaceX-pushing rocket tech makes mars a more targetable endevour. Tesla- better solar panels and better batteries mean you can consume and store more power on be red planet. Open AI- it's going to be very important to be able to prefab critical systems before any astronauts get there. AI can help there. Boring Company- Where do you build a home in a place with almost no atmosphere to shield you from radiation? Underground. What's nice and cylindrical and would fit nicely in a tube atop a rocket? Bore segments. Also TBC's bores are being designed with a smaller diameter than your typical bore. Elon says it's so cars can fit in them to revolutionize the LA commute, I see something that can be moduralized and put on top of a heavy lift rocket and used to prefab Martian living quarters.

GameDaddy 9y ago

Even the lightest wind is also hell on a targeted landing. Our model rocket experiments clearly demonstrate a significant force is applied with even the lightest winds which ends up putting the rocket far off course when choosing landing zones. We have actually been precalculating trajectories, and have used trial balloons to measure wind speed and direction immediately prior to launches, combined with planned pre-flight path alterations in an effort to land rockets with parachutes more accurately into a targeted area or small designated area.