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No full-envelope abort system exists or likely will exist for human lander ascent systems. That breaks the "hard requirement" argument if we're going to the Moo
by Robotbeat 7y ago
No full-envelope abort system exists or likely will exist for human lander ascent systems. That breaks the "hard requirement" argument if we're going to the Moon or Mars.
- bryanlarsen 7y agoA launch escape system from a lunar ascent module would be kind of silly. Where would you escape to?
- ben_w 7y agoRight now, sure. If we use this low cost space access to build a Moonbase equivalent to the ISS, it would be good to be able to return back to that base of the launch failed. I won’t be surprised if there is a better solution than a launch escape system, perhaps like a non-rocket launch in the form of a lunar maglev launch track, but it’s probably worth figuring out soon-ish.
- derekp7 7y agoI don't see anything about the Starship design that would prevent a future version with the nose cone being sealed off with a bulkhead, along with and explosive bolts attachment mechanism and Super Dracos attached (plus parachutes). The mass budget is there, and if it is designed to be detachable only in emergency then it could be a lot simpler than a separate capsule system design.