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SpaceX can use the same booster 30 times. NASAs new rocket can use it one time. We don't need to see financial statements to figure this one out.
by terminalshort 8mo ago
SpaceX can use the same booster 30 times. NASAs new rocket can use it one time. We don't need to see financial statements to figure this one out.
- luke5441 8mo agoI wouldn't be too sure. Depends on NASAs mission profiles and a lot of factors. Falcon heavy can bring 26.7t to GTO in expendable mode and only 8t in reusable mode. Reusable cost of Falcon is US$97 million vs US$150 million expendable. How much does it cost to develop and maintain the reusability? Is it worth the trade-offs in lower tons to orbit due to more weight? Is it worth it adjusting the payload into smaller units, including developing things like refueling in LEO? Idk, I'm not on the inside doing those calculations...
- trothamel 8mo agoSpaceX tends to expend cores they've gotten significant use out of, rather than new ones - so the core would have been "paid off" by then.
- s1artibartfast 8mo agoAnd nasal didn't build the new rocket! They have paid Boeing 93 BILLION to design and manufacture it.