NASA & World Space Exploration...News, Views, Photos & videos
- Thread starter bd popeye
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Wouldn't repeated start/stop of the lunar transfer thruster increase the odds of failure?It is going to take a couple of orbit raising around the earth, so that the space craft can be swung towards the moon.
I suppose they are using hypergolic propellants for increased reliability?
Man, what an insane piece of engineering! Just really awe inspiring in terms of scale and power the rocket generates at liftoff. Don't know if they will be able to pull it off as envisioned, but they certainly didn't constrain themselves in terms of vision when attempting to design their next gen rocket.
I know Elon has revealed himself to be a total dick through Twitter, but SpaceX is clearly the the pace setting world leader in rocket design.
Well, lets hope it doesn't decide to destroy half its engines on liftoff.
IDK. It reminds me of the N-1, tbh.
The N1 actually had a proper launch pad. SpaceX is also making the same mistake the Soviets did with the N1, they did not make any test stand for the first stage. Compare this with their extensive test facilities for Falcon 9.
Musk, just like the Soviet leadership, thinks he is saving money and time by not building a test stand. So he continues sending first stages with 33 engines to the trash with artillery like testing.
Musk, just like the Soviet leadership, thinks he is saving money and time by not building a test stand. So he continues sending first stages with 33 engines to the trash with artillery like testing.
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The N1 actually had a proper launch pad. SpaceX is also making the same mistake the Soviets did with the N1, they did not make any test stand for the first stage. Compare this with their extensive test facilities for Falcon 9.
Musk, just like the Soviet leadership, thinks he is saving money and time by not building a test stand. So he continues sending first stages with 33 engines to the trash with artillery like testing.
uhh, don't they use the launch pad as a test stand for the entire rocket assembly? I am almost certain they have test fired the first stage numerous times at the launch pad! Before they would consider a launch they would certainly have a test fire of the first stage, likely with the entire first and second stage assembled.
They do a hold down test at the launch pad. But that is not done with the engines at full power, nor is it done for the full duration of a flight.
The launch industry thinks hold down tests are enough to test reliability of pumps, plumbing, and engines, before launch, but Starship's first stage is highly complex with 33 engines. And it is unlikely the hold down test is enough to guarantee reliability of launch vehicle.