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I've been thinking about this, and it seems doubtful. The fairings are under a million dollars apparently, so they'd have to recover many dozens if not hundred

I've been thinking about this, and it seems doubtful. The fairings are under a million dollars apparently, so they'd have to recover many dozens if not hundreds to pay back the investment into all the catching technologies. It's not clear that they'll ever use that many fairings before switching over entirely to BFR.

morder 7y ago
Fairings are ~6m (i don't recall if that's per half or the pair) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz60GcmKOvc#t=33m28s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz60GcmKOvc#t=33m28s
privateSFacct 7y ago
No chance of under $1M for both. I heard $5M. They wouldn't go to the trouble they are going to (fish out of water and re-use etc) for a $500K part, but for $5M the math changes.
mdorazio 7y ago
Fairings cost upwards of $5M per launch. The technology for the boat basically consists of some arms (with shock absorbers) welded to the deck and a big net strung between them. The boat itself is chartered, not owned by SpaceX as far as I know. The only real tech development is in the parachute systems for the fairings, which also aren't particularly advanced. I can't imagine positive ROI requiring more than 4 or 5 recoveries. Personally, I'm kind of disappointed they didn't go with a skyhook concept, but getting that system to work with something the size and drag of a half-fairing would probably be a nightmare.
- skunkworker 7y ago
  I remember reading that the fairing build time is also fairly long (months? but I can't find the reference, it might've been a comment on /r/spacex), so it's trying to minimize the cost + build time.
pbreit 7y ago
Wut? The fairings are $6 million. Highly unlikely they spent even that much to develop a little engine and a boat with a net.