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SpaceX (CNBC)Starship explosion spread particulate matter for miles

5 points by dmbche 4y ago

zardo 4y ago
The source of the debris is obviously the pulverized launch pad, not the rocket explosion.
- dmbche 4y ago
  Which is discussed in the article and the risks associated mentionned - including to the residents of the nearby towns which had their windows broken by the explosion. I personally wonder if any collants/oils/odd materials were vaporised high enough to reach the nearby towns - if the stuff in your car is bad, imagine in this.
  - Zigurd 4y ago
    The fuel is all cryogenic liquids. The choice of fuel produces relatively little soot. The rocket is made of steel. That leaves tank insulation, maybe?
    - dmbche 4y ago
      I mean do you have any relevant background? I'm fairly certain that rocket engines are not "just stainless steel", as engine normally require coolant and oils. We're not really thinking that a "bleeding edge" rocket is just stainless steel are we? (Edit: while I do understand that the fuel is used to cool the engine, I ask you to think about all of the stuff that is not the nozzle and that needs to he kept at precise temperatures to work)
      - Zigurd 4y ago
        The rocket engines are not just steel, but the alloys they are made of are pretty tough, they would not be pulverized. Almost all of Starship is made of stainless steel, though. There's little or no fancy carbon fiber, etc. But there is one possible component that could in fact result in small debris and dust blown miles away from launch: The heat shield tiles.
    - DemocracyFTW2 4y ago
      Reportedly there might also be hydraulic fluid which is probably not unproblematic.
dmbche 4y ago
(meant for (CNBC) to be first - typo) (And add attention to the 4/20 launch date, and the 4/20 which was on the tanks on the rocket. Seems like a weed bit to rush the launch to 4/20)
cratermoon 4y ago
You can see the splashes in the surf as debris scatters outward, starting at about 16 seconds. https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649097087248891904?s=20 https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649097087248891904?s=20

5 points by dmbche 4y ago

zardo 4y ago

The source of the debris is obviously the pulverized launch pad, not the rocket explosion.

dmbche 4y ago
Which is discussed in the article and the risks associated mentionned - including to the residents of the nearby towns which had their windows broken by the explosion. I personally wonder if any collants/oils/odd materials were vaporised high enough to reach the nearby towns - if the stuff in your car is bad, imagine in this.
- Zigurd 4y ago
  The fuel is all cryogenic liquids. The choice of fuel produces relatively little soot. The rocket is made of steel. That leaves tank insulation, maybe?
  - dmbche 4y ago
    I mean do you have any relevant background? I'm fairly certain that rocket engines are not "just stainless steel", as engine normally require coolant and oils. We're not really thinking that a "bleeding edge" rocket is just stainless steel are we? (Edit: while I do understand that the fuel is used to cool the engine, I ask you to think about all of the stuff that is not the nozzle and that needs to he kept at precise temperatures to work)
    - Zigurd 4y ago
      The rocket engines are not just steel, but the alloys they are made of are pretty tough, they would not be pulverized. Almost all of Starship is made of stainless steel, though. There's little or no fancy carbon fiber, etc. But there is one possible component that could in fact result in small debris and dust blown miles away from launch: The heat shield tiles.
  - DemocracyFTW2 4y ago
    Reportedly there might also be hydraulic fluid which is probably not unproblematic.

dmbche 4y ago

(meant for (CNBC) to be first - typo) (And add attention to the 4/20 launch date, and the 4/20 which was on the tanks on the rocket. Seems like a weed bit to rush the launch to 4/20)

cratermoon 4y ago

You can see the splashes in the surf as debris scatters outward, starting at about 16 seconds. https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649097087248891904?s=20 https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649097087248891904?s=20