Jonathan,
The prototype isn't about hopping or landing as much as it is about Entry.
A paradigm shift in what a "heat shield" is. Moving away from disposable
ablatives and dedicated (extra mass) heat shields to an integrated system
where the physical tank is the heat shield. Active Cooling of the heat
shield will be the new normal at some point in the future, using a little
propellant mass as the ablative so to speak.
On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 8:50 AM Jonathan Goff <jongoff@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Craig,
Do we actually know if this prototype is an SSTO-capable RLV with all the
fixings, as opposed to an early test prototype like the other hoppers? Has
SpaceX officially said that, or is that just speculation?
~Jon
On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 9:47 AM Craig Fink <webegood@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Looks like we are close to seeing the first Single Stage to Orbit launch.
As a bonus, this launch should be a fully reusable vehicle, capable of
Entry and Landing. Plus, this accomplishment will be just a step on the
path to his new launch vehicle, as the SSTO is SpaceX's research version of
Starship's second stage.
https://youtu.be/6IydYEBrk0E?t=413
CloudLicker on Youtube seems to do a good job aggregating SpaceX News so
you don't have to.
Following SpaceX today is what following NASA was like in the 1960s. All
Doing, less Talk. Exciting times ahead.
--
Craig Fink
WeBeGood@xxxxxxxxx
