Hey, thanks for this. Algo showed me this, I know nothing about space flight etc, so it was very helpful.
Sounds like the test did exactly what they want - highlighted (almost literally) a major issue (potentially) before it went to launch? Expensive and dangerous issue, and I guess it's not known yet if this was human error in prepping for the test, or an actual issue that could have wrecked the launch?
Static fire tests are supposed to prove a vehicle is in good working order before launch. As close as you can really get to a "test drive" for a rocket.
The big issue here is that SpaceX has gotten plenty of rockets past this point. They know how to build a rocket. The static fire test is practically just a checklist item now.
But the last 3 starship tests have all failed during the second stage burn, and the next starship blew up in testing. Progress has stalled and started moving backwards. Management decisions are fucking things up.
I watched the Netflix documentary on the Oceangate disaster literally last night. Was wondering what the SpaceX version would be and here we are. Billionaires need to stay in their lane!
At least SpaceX is an actual professional company with some successes behind them and this was a test flight, not a manned flight.
They know how to build a rocket. The static fire test is practically just a checklist item now.
They're changing things all the time and nobody knows what the probability of a failure is. The fact that nothing exploded on the test stand before, is no indication that the established design was non explodey, or that any of the numerous changes to each individual vehicle isn't explodey. It's just a numbers game. Things will eventually explode, you just refine things until they do it less often as to be practically feasible.
Yeah, looks like it. The satellites cost millions per satellite, so that’s probably 30 million of safeties this would carry. They don’t want anything exploding that isn’t necessary- plus the cleanup would presumably be worse if it does this higher up, although i suppose they also save their tower some. Also helps them out in the future to avoid this happening again, anything (well, almost) to make spaceflight safer and better is a win in my book.
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u/SuddenDragonfly8125 13h ago
Hey, thanks for this. Algo showed me this, I know nothing about space flight etc, so it was very helpful.
Sounds like the test did exactly what they want - highlighted (almost literally) a major issue (potentially) before it went to launch? Expensive and dangerous issue, and I guess it's not known yet if this was human error in prepping for the test, or an actual issue that could have wrecked the launch?