Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

SpaceX Starship

Interesting. Sounds like they had plans to protect the launch pad but it was a couple months from being built. The pad held up during the static fire (it did take some damage but nothing severe, and was repaired) so they gambled that it would hold up during the actual flight. The static fire had the same number of engines fired up, but I don't think they throttled them all the way to full power. So the pad was going to be hit with more force during the launch than the static fire. I'm guessing they knew it would do damage, but didn't think it would dig the massive crater that we saw.

Elon says 1-2 months from being able to launch again....so probably 4-6 months.

 
  • Like
  • Informative
Reactions: jaj040, ClonesFTW and NateTheBoss
besserheimerphat said:
I know that Thursday was a backup date. I posted it for the picture. I don’t know what the FAA has to do with rocket launch pads either, but it does seems like there is some regulatory agency who will be asking a lot of questions about the launch's effects on the ground.
Click to expand...
No doubt, especially sense the launch site is surrounded by protected wetlands as far as I know. They had a starship blow up in the air over the launch site back in 2021 which scattered prices around the area. I think they spent weeks if not months sorting that out with the EPA to make sure it was all cleaned up properly. I'd assume they'll have a similar process this time too.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: wxman1
isutrevman said:
Who said they were okay with blowing up the launch pad? Agree, that wouldn't make any sense.
Click to expand...
Sure sounds like it, especially the last SpaceX saying **** it, let's see what happens post.

isutrevman said:
I think it's fair for people to call it a "failure" as it didn't complete the full mission. However, anyone calling it a failure should provide the full context by describing as an "expected" failure. I think it would have been a surprise to SpaceX if the entire mission was completely without any issues. This "failure" also doesn't really set Starship back. Does it push back the date of when Starship is ready to carry satellites and eventually people into space? Probably not.
Click to expand...

NateTheBoss said:
Spacex designs and builds things quick, tests it and iterates on it. The have already been working on a water suppression system but that wasn’t ready for this launch and was removed. Will be interesting to see what they do for next launch.
Click to expand...

isutrevman said:
To be fair, they did a long static fire to simulate lift-off a couple months ago. The pad took some damage during that test but nothing like what happened today. I'm guessing if they knew how much debris would get thrown around, they would have done something different. Then again, it's SpaceX so they might have also said "**** it, let's see what happens".
Click to expand...
 
simply1 said:
Sure sounds like it, especially the last SpaceX saying **** it, let's see what happens post.
Click to expand...
I don't see a single reference to blowing up the launch pad.

No, I don't SpaceX was fine with destroying part of their launch pad. There's also a difference with being "fine" with something happening and not wanting something to happen, but knowing you can deal with it if it does.

For example:
1. Fine: Starship not finishing it's mission, but completing some objectives before being terminated and falling into the ocean.
2. Not ideal, but can deal with: destroying part of the launch pad.
3. Disaster: Having rocket with people on board blow up.
 
Last edited:
  • Dumb
  • Agree
  • Creative
Reactions: alarson, simply1, riceville98 and 1 other person
My guess is much closer to a year for another launch. Words can't describe how bad this was to the pad and the launch tower. Cars a mile away were damaged from pieces of the pad being thrown that far. If people had been closer, there might have been injuries or worse. The FAA is going to want answers, and the EPA is going to want a much better environmental assessment.

My guess is they end up tearing out the whole launch tower and starting again, with a new launch tower with sound-supression system included from the beginning.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wxman1
UnCytely said:
My guess is much closer to a year for another launch. Words can't describe how bad this was to the pad and the launch tower. Cars a mile away were damaged from pieces of the pad being thrown that far. If people had been closer, there might have been injuries or worse. The FAA is going to want answers, and the EPA is going to want a much better environmental assessment.

My guess is they end up tearing out the whole launch tower and starting again, with a new launch tower with sound-supression system included from the beginning.
Click to expand...
After watching some of the live streams after they finally opened the highway, I would agree that it'll be many months or a year before they can launch again. They whole site is beat to hell. I think they were permitted 4 launches per year, so even if the pad was pristine I doubt they would go again in a month. It's Elon being Elon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wxman1
jaj040 said:
It's Elon being Elon.
Click to expand...
That's the best way to characterize him. His entire management style is to set ridiculously ambitious goals and then throw money and people at them. It usually works, eventually. It is definitely not a "perfectly executed plan" type of system; more of a "F around and figure it out" process. But it might be the best approach for breakthru type goals.

It's funny to me, some people criticize him for the failures and delays and the seeming insanity of the goals. And others lionize him for the same reason. Reality is that it's both. He's like a QB that throws a lot of touchdowns and scores a lot of points, but will definitely throw some picks and lose some games too.
 
  • Like
  • Optimistic
  • Agree
Reactions: ironsam, NateTheBoss, Bigman38 and 3 others
CIMD and his fiancé didn’t even know the rocket failed when they watched the launch. They were there Monday and stayed for the second attempt.
 
dmclone said:
I love everything about this. I know there are so many reasons to hate this guy but my God he's changed the world for the better in so many ways. There has never been anyone close to him in my lifetime that has made this kind of impact.
Click to expand...
I'm so glad we have a billionaire genius to save us! Think of all the things HE created to make the world better! PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter. I wonder what he'll think up next!

The only way Elon Musk has "changed the world" is with money and for money.
 
  • Like
  • Dumb
  • Creative
Reactions: cydsho, CycloneVet, dmclone and 6 others
You must log in or register to reply here.

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom