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The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

arstechnica.com

151–160 of 187 posts

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#151
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if you could head over to Matamoros and give a fisherman $50 to take you out on the water. The launch tower is maybe 500yds from the beach.

I had a similar thought about watching it crash down into the Pacific off of Hawaii. If it makes it that far, they plan to sink it in a naval graveyard about 50 miles north of the island. Watching it attempt to soft landing and then sink below the waves would be remarkable

This second stage is going to slam into the water at terminal velocity (per FAA filing). No mock landing flip and burn. The two after will break up on re-entry (no "wings", people suspect they are for payload or propellant transfer tests).

The booster, however, will do a mock landing over the water a ways out from the launch facilities (40 miles I think it was).

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only under 400 mi after that it is cheaper to fly & rent. Current gas prices it's probably 350.

Inflatable mattresses are available at Walmart for like $10 :)

older model s came with free lifetime supercharging. I have mine. I'm tempted to go. S Padre Island isn't going to let you sleep on it in your car, I would guess. Are there campgrounds nearby? Only 2 70kwh superchargers on the island. I will watch that video.

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some people are confused and think the government is against Musk in some way like the public is. The government quite likes SpaceX.

Sadly "The government" is hundreds of separate organizations, agendas and politicians all with separate cover their ass agendas, NASA probably want this to succeed, I doubt the others are as enthusiastic.

NASA, the military and security services

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#154
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping cats indoors to avoid dangers associated with diseases, parasites, cars, attacks from other animals, poisons and extreme weather Now it’s not only children but cats too? I grew up in a location where cats could go anywhere they pleased (in or outside), and it’s really strange to me that some countries recommend or require them to always be inside.

Outdoor cats live much shorter lives than indoor ones.

But are they happier ones?

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#155
post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Inflatable mattresses are available at Walmart for like $10 :)

older model s came with free lifetime supercharging. I have mine. I'm tempted to go. S Padre Island isn't going to let you sleep on it in your car, I would guess. Are there campgrounds nearby? Only 2 70kwh superchargers on the island. I will watch that video.

Get/make some magnetic window covers. I couldn't find any when I drove cross country spontaneously so I just got a bunch of the cheapest black pillow cases and some binder clips.

Park literally anywhere not obvious, it is only one night. I am not sure how charged up you need to be to maintain a comfortable temperature. 5%? Just go and problem solve on the road. You'll be fine.

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#156
post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s a very charitable interpretation. Testing slowed because of flaws in the Raptor which required a complete redesign. We’ll see if their chaotic development process produces something safe and reliable.

I hadn't heard that Raptor 2 was a complete redesign as a results of flaws discovered (I hadn't heard anything at all about why they made Raptor 2). Do you have a link where I can read more about this?

Not a complete redesign, but substantial. Even the head of the propulsion department was changed.

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#158
post #25
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Feline friends always love it when humans put out nice new warm beds for them! Certainly a warm heated spot in the cold could serve no higher purpose :): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/outdoor-cats-are-u...

> the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping cats indoors to avoid dangers associated with diseases, parasites, cars, attacks from other animals, poisons and extreme weather Now it’s not only children but cats too? I grew up in a location where cats could go anywhere they pleased (in or outside), and it’s really strange to me that some countries recommend or require them to always be inside.

>I grew up in a location where cats could go anywhere they pleased

And some people grew up in a location where women were not allowed to vote.

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#159
post #45
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You would need to build a second tower with catch arms there. The booster does not have landing legs and will not touch down on the ground, the plan is to have it settle on the same "tower arms" that are used as a crane to stack the booster and the ship for launch, with engines still well above ground.

They managed landing legs and they decided to up the level of difficulty a few notches or something?

It's true that SpaceX's previous landings have used legs, but that's either been Falcon boosters (much smaller/lighter than Starship boosters, AKA "Superheavies"), or for Starship's upper-stage (again, much smaller/lighter than Superheavy boosters).

The catching system looks crazy, but it might actually be easier than landing a Superheavy on legs. The ground is a larger target than the catching arms; but its maneuverability and shock-absorption are famously low.

Re: The FAA has granted SpaceX permission to launch its Starship rocket

#160
post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a similar thought about watching it crash down into the Pacific off of Hawaii. If it makes it that far, they plan to sink it in a naval graveyard about 50 miles north of the island. Watching it attempt to soft landing and then sink below the waves would be remarkable

This second stage is going to slam into the water at terminal velocity (per FAA filing). No mock landing flip and burn. The two after will break up on re-entry (no "wings", people suspect they are for payload or propellant transfer tests). The booster, however, will do a mock landing over the water a ways out from the launch facilities (40 miles I think it was).

I imagine because of ITAR etc they particularly want to have very little to be able to recovered by foreign parties.
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