4 ms·
There's an advantage to the ships that a fixed location couldn't provide. With the ship, you can anchor the rocket and pull it into port without having to move
by emeraldd 9y ago
There's an advantage to the ships that a fixed location couldn't provide. With the ship, you can anchor the rocket and pull it into port without having to move the rocket itself after landing. On a fixed platform, you'd have to have infrastructure to relocate the rocket to bring it into port. Unless, of course, you're going to refurbish it and launch from the platform ... Now that would be impressive.
- woodandsteel 9y agoPerhaps they should contact the Zenit people.
- techdragon 9y agoAt that point they would be better off using full RTLS and landing the rocket on land back near the launchpad as much as possible. Also based on the BFR / spaceX airways teaser video, they might be planning this sort of offshore refurbishment / no refurbishment needed mode anyway.
- m_mueller 9y ago> Unless, of course, you're going to refurbish it and launch from the platform But then you're at the same problem again - if the fuel isn't enough to cancel out the entire downrange, they have to land some place further out again.