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Building the Full Metal Starship testbed: Starhopper

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Raptor is on site in Boca Chica.
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Elon was right, engineering is basically magic.
 
Doesn't look like that Raptor is centered. So will they install another one before the test, or will they do a small test where they aren't anywhere near lifting off? I guess we'll see soon.
Definitely looks off center, but thrust vectoring could compensate for that (hold rocket in tilted orientation to align CG and engine vertically). Mounting may be set up for 3 engines with this just being a plumbing/ back blast survivability test.
 
Definitely looks off center, but thrust vectoring could compensate for that (hold rocket in tilted orientation to align CG and engine vertically).
That would be a crazy amount of gimbal range. Seriously doubt it. (And how would you realistically land with the rocket at something like a 20 degree angle?)

Mounting may be set up for 3 engines with this just being a plumbing/ back blast survivability test.
That's my guess. Unless we see a second Raptor show up very soon.
 
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That would be a crazy amount of gimbal range. Seriously doubt it. (And how would you realistically land with the rocket at something like a 20 degree angle?)

One leg at a time :) (Take off would also be weird from a control POV)

Yeah, range may not be that high, but it does need to be able to compensate for a failed engine eventually (maybe via throttling of remaining engines).

They could also add weight to the legs to center CG over the engine...

Test one engine, then attach more makes the most sense.
 
One leg at a time :) (Take off would also be weird from a control POV)

Yeah, range may not be that high, but it does need to be able to compensate for a failed engine eventually (maybe via throttling of remaining engines).

They could also add weight to the legs to center CG over the engine...

Test one engine, then attach more makes the most sense.
Yes, this thing may still blow up. If it does, loss will be smaller.
 
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