The first stage recovery capability of Falcon 9 is new tech
by Tommy Baseball (2020-05-30 17:02:17)

In reply to: I just can't get into new space  posted by Ravenium

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Although at this point, that is pretty old hat.

The next big thing for space will be Starship and Super Heavy. If SpaceX can get that working, that will not only be the world's tallest and heaviest rocket, but also a huge step forward in reusability as the entire rocket will be reusable.

If nothing else, the development makes for some entertaining TV.



Yesterday’s explosion didn’t help matters.
by rflor  (2020-05-30 17:05:52)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I read it was the third major failure of a Starship engine test. Optimist in me says SpaceX is good at analyzing and adapting to these failure scenarios.

They haven't lost any due to engine failure
by Tommy Baseball  (2020-05-30 17:13:08)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

The previous three were tank failures. This one appears to be a failure with the Ground Support Equipment. Speculation is that the hoses that feed liquid methane to the rocket separated after the engine fire. All that free propellant caught fire and destroyed the vehicle.

The important part of the failures is that they've had three failures in four months. The rate of improvement is impressive. They just destroyed SN4 and SN5 is already ready to put on the test stand (thought the test stand will need to be rebuilt). The failures are setting them back weeks rather than years.