Comments on: Update on SpaceX’s Starship and Superheavy

By: Edward

Edward — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 04:04:36 +0000

GaryMike asked: "Isn’t SpaceX transitioning from the “test-to-destruction, proof-of-concept” phase to the “prove to NASA and the insurers that SpaceX is a reasonably invest-able resource?" SpaceX still has a couple of concepts left to prove. Reentry is not yet proven, and landing on the chopsticks still seems like fantasy, but if it works, it wouldn't be the first time that SpaceX brought fantasy to life. In the meantime, Super Heavy is not guaranteed to get Starship to orbit, assuming Starship can get itself there, so Jeremy may yet see another SpaceX explosion. Once orbit and reentry are successful, SpaceX will graduate to the phase of improving processes and development of production versions. They still need to develop all the variants, such as lunar lander, tanker (and propellant transfer), payload, cargo, and manned Starships. It is possible that the Mars transport version may be different than the regular manned version, and there may be various varietals of the payload Starship (e.g. "Pez dispenser" for satellites, and hinged fairing for larger payloads). Since Starship already has four customers, investors are investing heavily, and NASA is counting on Starship to land Project Artemis on the Moon, I think that people already accept it as a reasonably investable resource. Insurance may be a little higher for the first few insured launches, though.

By: Jeremy, Alabama

Jeremy, Alabama — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:40:24 +0000

In a sense, the longer this takes, the more we feel invested in the need for a successful launch. It would perhaps have been nice to have a launch (FAA permitting) three or four months ago, even perhaps without a full suite of engines, just to get the vehicle off the ground clear of the tower and performing a separation at 20000ft, and controlled landings of both into the gulf. It would have been a good expenditure of V1 raptors.

There has been a lot of activity and improvements, both on the vehicle and the facilities, but it feels a bit more like old-fashioned progress (unproven) rather than the Musk way (blowing stuff up).

By: Ron DFesmarais

Ron DFesmarais — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:03:34 +0000

I wonder if Ship 26 and 27 could be destined for use as a Lunar Starship or a Fueling Depot prototype? It would be interesting to see, and could be a lower cost/faster option for additional booster qualification.

By: GaryMike

GaryMike — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 09:10:40 +0000

Isn’t SpaceX transitioning from the “test-to-destruction, proof-of-concept” phase to the “prove to NASA and the insurers that SpaceX is a reasonably invest-able resource?

Takes time, takes attention to detail.

The Firefly/Serenity meme in me is driving me crazy.

Breathe, dude.