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> SpaceX does not say how much Starship is costing them to develop, but external estimates seem to be under $8 billion. So for the cost of 2 SLS flights, SpaceX
by jltsiren 4y ago
> SpaceX does not say how much Starship is costing them to develop, but external estimates seem to be under $8 billion. So for the cost of 2 SLS flights, SpaceX is developing a rocket with a cost to LEO orbit of under $10 million, and that they are aiming to get down to $2 million.
Some of that sounds like unreasonable optimism.
Given the track record of SpaceX, it's safe to assume that Starship will eventually fly and that the lower stage will eventually be reusable. Getting the Starship itself to survive reentry and landing in good enough condition to fly again without major refurbishment is another story. Something like that has never been achieved before. It's plausible that SpaceX will make it happen, but it's also plausible that it won't work. Then Starship will be simply an expendable upper stage that's too big and too expensive for the purpose.
- jaybrendansmith 4y agoWhile I agree with your point, I would only suggest ... compared to what? Let's say SpaceX cannot make Starship reusable. Will it really cost $4 Billion Dollars to create a Starship + Booster? Still cheaper than the SLS...
- inasio 4y ago> Getting the Starship itself to survive reentry and landing in good enough condition to fly again without major refurbishment is another story. Something like that has never been achieved before Didn't the space shuttle used to do that?
- Dylan16807 4y agoNo. Shuttle needed major refurbishment.
- panick21_ 4y agoEven assuming its gone cost 100M or even 1 billion it would still be better. A non reusable Starship still beats SLS. So the discussion is kind of mute.
- btilly 4y agoYou're suggesting that they won't be able to do it simply because it hasn't been done? Do you have any idea how many firsts they've put up? The craziest was reusable boosters. For this one the problems to solve are fairly well-known. There is no particular reason to believe that it will be harder than what they already do.