3 ms·
> I really think this is overrated in how much of a technology risk this is. Specially if you have enough weight that you can invest in the solution. Refueling
by zardo 5y ago
> I really think this is overrated in how much of a technology risk this is. Specially if you have enough weight that you can invest in the solution.
Refueling is a schedule risk, maybe the first design will fail to account for something and it will take a couple iterations to get it right. There is zero risk that the problem is unsolvable.
- panick21_ 5y agoI would agree mostly. If you need to many iterations you might run out of money however. In general I think refueling is a far smaller problem then the heat shield.
- zardo 5y agoThe heat shield is such a massive component that it's conceivable that the first design is flawed, and resolving the flaw requires a dry mass increase that cuts into the payload and makes a Mars return unachievable.