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They didn't have to increase speeds, they already achieved orbital velocity. To circularize all they need to do is relight. Relighting an engine is very diff
by bryanlarsen 7mo ago
They didn't have to increase speeds, they already achieved orbital velocity. To circularize all they need to do is relight. Relighting an engine is very difficult for an engine like Raptor, but they've already demonstrated relight.
- JumpCrisscross 7mo ago> They didn't have to increase speeds, they already achieved orbital velocity My undertstanding is Starship didn't hit 17,000 mph [1]. LEO orbits tend to be 17,500 mph and up. Like, I'm not arguing that SpaceX couldn't have circularised on previous tests. But it would have added material risk without any reward. And taking a ship, particularly a re-usable one, particularly a novel one, into its first orbital flight is always exhausting and novel. [1] https://www.thespacereview.com/article/4761/1#:~:text=As%20Super%20Heavy,not%20in%20orbit. https://www.thespacereview.com/article/4761/1#:~:text=As%20S...