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With a payload volume of 8m diameter by 22m height you could fit a James Webb size telescope inside with minimal folding. The sunshield (21.2 m by 14.2m) would
by throwaway4aday 2y ago
With a payload volume of 8m diameter by 22m height you could fit a James Webb size telescope inside with minimal folding. The sunshield (21.2 m by 14.2m) would only need to fold along one axis and the mirror (6.6 m) could be monolithic instead of having to fold, probably only requiring the mounting points for the primary and secondary to be hinged. This shouldn't be discounted because it makes telescope design much simpler and less expensive.
It also allows for launching individual space station modules that have almost the same volume as the entire ISS in one launch.
Their plans for refuelling on orbit with tanker versions of the starship open up the entire solar system to unmanned missions with much shorter timelines and much higher payload size and weight.
The fact the entire system is re-usable will make it both cheaper and faster to use than any other launch system.
All of this combined mean that it won't just be countries and space programs bidding for space on launches, it puts space within reach of many corporations and some private individuals. This isn't conjecture, it's already happening with the Falcon 9. Starship will make it even more accessible.
- foobarian 2y ago> With a payload volume of 8m diameter by 22m height you could fit a James Webb size telescope inside with minimal folding. Of course, that means you could also fit a James Webb-folded telescope except make it a lot bigger :-)
- throwaway4aday 2y agoYes! that too.
- Earw0rm 2y agoProbably need on-orbit refueling to work for that to happen, but they're working on it.
- jvm___ 2y agoJust park the starship as the sun shield. Or two starship, or an origami starship that unfolds for more surface area, your own personal sun umbrella made from a starship.
- throw4950sh06 2y ago> It also allows for launching individual space station modules that have almost the same volume as the entire ISS in one launch. My favorite related thing is that the Starship itself could serve as a large space or moon station.