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I don't think so. For starters, they test a lot in SpaceX. N1 had ablative engines, which could not be test-fired on Earth. They could only test them by launchi
by inglor_cz 1y ago
I don't think so. For starters, they test a lot in SpaceX. N1 had ablative engines, which could not be test-fired on Earth. They could only test them by launching the entire stack and hoping that it would go into the orbit.
The current wave of problems is likely caused by optimizations in the v2 of the rocket. Starship v1 was very conservatively built and mostly worked. They are trying to squeeze extra 25 per cent of payload capacity from v2 (from 80 to 100 tons on LEO), and they are running into the edges of multiple envelopes.
Raptor v2 BTW seems fine, the main issues are around the plumbing that feeds propellant into the engines.
- tedmcory77 1y agoThats enough to put a fully loaded Abrahams tank (with crew) into orbit…
- inglor_cz 1y agoBeing a fan of railways, I tend to compare to electric locomotives. The heaviest Vectrons are about 90 tons, and they would fit into the payload bay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectron_(locomotive) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectron_(locomotive) Now that would be high-speed rail.
- xattt 1y agoWhy not a whale to make the Douglas Adams trope a reality?
- inglor_cz 1y agoI've never taken a whale somewhere so far.
- qingcharles 1y agoNot again...
- m4rtink 1y agoI think a steam locomotive would be even cooler - first steps to Galaxy Express. ;-) For example 2 of the legendary JGR Class 8620 (nicknamed hachiroku) Japanese steam locomotives could be comfortably launched to orbit in 90 tons. :)
- api 1y agoIt's an Abrams tank. An Abrahams tank would be one designed to carry the Holy Hand Grenade. :)
- inglor_cz 1y agoLooking at the recent world developments, we seem to be in the stage of Abrahamic missiles already.
- EdwardDiego 1y ago> N1 had ablative engines, which could not be test-fired on Earth Why can't they be? NASA seems to test them on Earth. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19960007443/downloads/19960007443.pdf https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19960007443/downloads/19...