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I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the eventual plan is to do both -- or to manufacture the BFR (the rocket part) in one location, and the BFS (the spacesh
by nbadg 9y ago
I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the eventual plan is to do both -- or to manufacture the BFR (the rocket part) in one location, and the BFS (the spaceship part) in the other. The article does mention that the LA location is intended to be able to receive (and presumably service) recovered vehicles, which would make a lot of sense for droneship landing after a Vandenberg launch.
At any rate, I personally haven't heard any speculation about them moving BFS testing outside of Texas, but /r/spacex might very well be the most reliable way to find out (unless you're a SpaceX employee!)
- mkempe 9y agoIs the BFR also expected to land on droneships?
- mikeash 9y agoNo, the plan is for it to always return to the launch site.
- sq_ 9y agoTo add to this, SpaceX has said at some point that they are planning to land the BFR directly back on the launch clamps to remove the need for landing legs.
- nerpderp83 9y agoSounds like a nice option and a scary default.
- sq_ 9y agoWhen Elon (I think it was him) was talking about it, he seemed pretty confident that they could do it effectively. They already land the Falcon 9s on a relatively small area; with a bit of extra maneuvering capability right before touchdown, along with the Raptor engine's deep throttling ability, it should be entirely possible to do pinpoint landings.