Comments on: SpaceX launches NASA X-ray telescope https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/spacex-launches-nasa-x-ray-telescope/ Fri, 10 Dec 2021 07:12:31 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/spacex-launches-nasa-x-ray-telescope/#comment-1253994 Fri, 10 Dec 2021 07:12:31 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=81116#comment-1253994 This makes me wonder how hard it would be for a five core Falcon superheavy to ease Raptor production woes. Most of the strengthening is done.

]]> By: Ray Van Dune https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/spacex-launches-nasa-x-ray-telescope/#comment-1253711 Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:26:42 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=81116#comment-1253711 I listened to the NASASpaceflight commentary on the launch, and during a wind shear hold, they mentioned that SpaceX has demonstrated all the possible re-use cases for the F9/FH boosters:
1. Std F9 re-flown as FH side booster
2. FH side booster re-flown as std F9
3. FH core booster re-flown as std F9

FH core booster cannot be replaced by Std F9 booster or by FH side booster, due to special strengthening used in FH core design. In other words, it takes a specially-strengthened booster to handle the center position in the FH! Still a pretty impressive demonstration of manufacturing standardization and resultant use flexibility.

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