3 ms·
I think saving weight is definitely one of the main issues, see those proportionally large legs on Falcon-9, I guess it simply doesn't scale on bigger vehicles
by mshockwave 2y ago
I think saving weight is definitely one of the main issues, see those proportionally large legs on Falcon-9, I guess it simply doesn't scale on bigger vehicles like Starship / Heavy booster. Also, by catching the booster on site, they can even save the transportation and do the refurbishing on site, so even shorter turnaround time I guess.
- pfdietz 2y agoAlso, saving on damage to the landing pad.
- chasd00 2y agoThat’s a good point, they used the sprinklers on landing to mitigate damage to the pad and the booster was caught well off the ground.
- cubefox 2y agoAnother way to save weight would be to make the booster out of carbon fiber instead of steel. I wonder whether they will do that eventually.