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The lack of a flame trench to redirect exhaust for the largest rocket in human history seems like it could result in heat damage to the nearby launch facilities
by SkyMarshal 4y ago
The lack of a flame trench to redirect exhaust for the largest rocket in human history seems like it could result in heat damage to the nearby launch facilities. Particularly the methane tanks the article mentions. I wonder what SpaceX’s calculations on that are.
- friend_and_foe 4y agoWell, considering they probably don't want to blow their launch pad up, and they employ engineers, they've probably determined it's fine and found another way to protect the facilities. I'll reserve judgment on that for when it does blow up.
- rideontime 4y agoYour judgment?
- SkyMarshal 4y agoTo clarify, it’s not really about the launch pad, it’s about the facilities surrounding it. A flame trench redirects some or much of the exhaust through a channel that safely avoids the surrounding facilities. Lack of one means the exhaust goes out in all directions. But yeah I can’t imagine they haven’t considered this and planned for it, so we’ll see.