SpaceX

NASA chief explains why agency won’t buy a bunch of Falcon Heavy rockets

“It’s going to be large-volume, monolithic pieces that are going to require an SLS.” //  arstechnica.com

 

SpaceX has not publicly stated the TLI capacity of the Falcon Heavy rocket, but for the fully expendable version of the booster it is probably somewhere in the range of 18 and 22 tons. This is a value roughly between the vehicle's published capacity for geostationary orbit, 26.7 tons, and Mars, 16.8 tons.

 

Gerstenmaier then said NASA's exploration program will require the unique capabilities of the SLS rocket. "I think it's still going to be large-volume, monolithic pieces that are going to require an SLS kind of capability to get them out into space," he said. "Then for routine servicing and bringing cargo, maybe bringing smaller crew vehicles other than Orion, then Falcon Heavy can play a role. What's been talked about by [Jeff] Bezos can play a role. What United Launch Alliance has talked about can play a role."

“And,” not “or”

After this, Gerstenmaier reiterated NASA's default position with regard to the SLS and much cheaper commercial launch solutions—that there is room for everyone in the industry. "I don't see it as an 'either/or;' I see it as an 'and,'" he said. "We're trying to build a plan that uses SLS for its unique capability of large volumes and a large single mass in one launch. The cargo capability is pretty amazing with SLS. You can launch a big chunk of gateway in one flight; where it would take multiple flights, I'm not sure you could even break some of those pieces up into those smaller pieces to get them on a smaller rocket."

 

Elon Musk
@elonmusk 15 ч.
Attempting recovery of fairing falling down from space (right now) with our boat, Mr Steven. It’s a giant steel & webbing catcher’s mitt superstructure on a high-speed ocean ship. Godspeed, Mr. S …

Elon Musk
@elonmusk 15 ч.
В ответ @elonmusk
Mr Steven is 5 mins away from being under the falling fairing (don’t have live video)

Elon Musk
@elonmusk 13 ч.
В ответ @elonmusk
GPS guided parafoil twisted, so fairing impacted water at high speed. Air wake from fairing messing w parafoil steering. Doing helo drop tests in next few weeks to solve.

Elon Musk
@elonmusk В ответ @vbagate
Hopefully, actual video coming soon. Aiming to improve the link quality so it can be real-time.
4:40 - 31 мар. 2018 г.

 

Elon Musk в Instagram: «@rbalephoto»

543.9 тыс. отметок «Нравится», 2,941 комментариев — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) в Instagram: «@rbalephoto» //  www.instagram.com

 

elonmuskteslamotorsclub
.... Note, F9 Block 5 (arguably should be called Version 7) will have legs V2. Similar overall geometry, but easier to reuse. Aiming for two flights within 24 hours w V7. In theory, all we will need to do is reload propellant.