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Wiki Super Heavy/Starship - General Development Discussion

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Yeah, the chilling was my uncorroborated thought.

To achieve a > 1 thrust to weight ratio, Starship will need all 6 Raptors (2MN each) firing, and probably a less than full fuel load (or payload).
12 MN = 1350 tons (on Earth). Max fuel load 1200 tons, max payload 100+ tons, ship mass goal ~150 tons = 1450, Space.com says launch weight will be 1,400 pounds.
Elon Musk Just Dropped More Tantalizing Details About SpaceX's Starship Prototype | Space

Lunch time, so I'll be lazy and just ask, what is the fuel burn rate for 6 Raptor at 100%?


The burn rate is over 9000!
 
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So if it's OK for the fireball of the first stage to engulf the second, it could fly out eventually.
However, what's the plan if the second stage has a failure?

Simultaneously with a first stage failure, or after separation?
If the second stage failed on the pad along with the first, that is not recoverable.
After separation, if they lost an engine they could burn fuel till light enough and then land. 6 engines, 3 independently gimbaled.
If massive failure, but able to achieve orbit, another Starship could go get them.
Failure and unable to achieve orbit, dump fuel and glide?
 
From the Ars Technica weekly Rocket Report email, quote:
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NASA chief says private rockets leapfrogging SLS would be great. During an interview with The Atlantic, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was asked about SpaceX's Starship project, and the potential for that vehicle and its Super Heavy booster to beat the Space Launch System to the Moon. "I think it would be fantastic if they could do that," he said.
NASA will be a customer ... More Bridenstine: "And if they can get to the Moon, we want to use those services. Our goal is to be a customer, not the owner and operator of all the equipment. But right now, if we’re going to get to the moon in 2024 with humans, SLS and Orion are the way to do it." The last sentence was brought to you by the U.S. Senate. ”
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:D

Link to The Atlantic article NASA Hands Elon Musk a Reality Check
 
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Elon tweeted that the FH grid fins are going be “welded steel” instead of aluminum (like the early F9 boosters) or titanium.

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On reddit: @bluemoondance74 [Reagan Beck]: Road and beach closures Oct 23-25 (*primary and 2 alternative days), “...due to anticipated test launch activities for SpaceX” [Boca Chica]

Discussion regarding what those closures signify. Some feel it is just for a Starship Mk1 tanking test, others say it could be a test fire, a few think it could be a suborbital hop test but that seems very unlikely given how much apparent work remains to be done on the vehicle.