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Ace in the hole is a strong word. Starship's progress is breakneck by the standards of any aerospace program, but they've still got another booster (Super Heavy
by inamberclad 6y ago
Ace in the hole is a strong word. Starship's progress is breakneck by the standards of any aerospace program, but they've still got another booster (Super Heavy) to develop. Then they'll need multiple launches to get the vehicle into orbit and refueled before it can perform a TLI.
- kiba 6y agoSuperheavy is the easier project. Elon Musk is focusing on the hardest problem first.
- dint 6y agoI've seen a lot of people claim this. But it reminds me of what was said about the Falcon Heavy before its development got underway. That rocket turned out to be much more challenging than expected, despite being "just" an iteration on Falcon 9.[1] That said, I watch progress on Starship with interest and optimism. [1]https://www.defensedaily.com/developing-falcon-heavy-rocket-harder-expected-spacexs-musk-says/space/ https://www.defensedaily.com/developing-falcon-heavy-rocket-...
- kiba 6y agoI am simply referring to Elon Musk's claim. He got experience in both rocketry and automotive manufacturing. If he said it's hard, I believe him. He could be wrong yes, but I don't know anything about making cars or build rockets.
- woodandsteel 6y agoHeavy is easier than Starship because Heavy uses standard technology, but Starship is very innovative.
- rst 6y agoIt's the easier one to design -- but actually building it requires a production line that cranks out one of the most complicated rocket engines ever designed for cheap (it'll need over thirty engines in final configuration, though the first launch may be with "just" 20 or so).
- eloff 6y agoEasy and rocket engineering don't really go together. I imagine it will still be a challenge.