Hacker Neue

Preferences
inglor_cz parent
I don't think so. For starters, they test a lot in SpaceX. N1 had ablative engines, which could not be test-fired on Earth. They could only test them by launching the entire stack and hoping that it would go into the orbit.

The current wave of problems is likely caused by optimizations in the v2 of the rocket. Starship v1 was very conservatively built and mostly worked. They are trying to squeeze extra 25 per cent of payload capacity from v2 (from 80 to 100 tons on LEO), and they are running into the edges of multiple envelopes.

Raptor v2 BTW seems fine, the main issues are around the plumbing that feeds propellant into the engines.

tedmcory77
Thats enough to put a fully loaded Abrahams tank (with crew) into orbit…
inglor_cz OP
Being a fan of railways, I tend to compare to electric locomotives. The heaviest Vectrons are about 90 tons, and they would fit into the payload bay:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectron_(locomotive)

Now that would be high-speed rail.

m4rtink
I think a steam locomotive would be even cooler - first steps to Galaxy Express. ;-)

For example 2 of the legendary JGR Class 8620 (nicknamed hachiroku) Japanese steam locomotives could be comfortably launched to orbit in 90 tons. :)

xattt
Why not a whale to make the Douglas Adams trope a reality?
qingcharles
Not again...
inglor_cz OP
I've never taken a whale somewhere so far.
api
It's an Abrams tank.

An Abrahams tank would be one designed to carry the Holy Hand Grenade.

:)

inglor_cz OP
Looking at the recent world developments, we seem to be in the stage of Abrahamic missiles already.
EdwardDiego
> N1 had ablative engines, which could not be test-fired on Earth

Why can't they be? NASA seems to test them on Earth. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19960007443/downloads/19...

This item has no comments currently.