Re:SpaceX Picks Rocket for First Relaunch
by _ph_ on Monday July 18, 2016 @02:00AM
(#12113431)
The idea of the program certainly is, that the rocket can be flown several times without requiring extensive checking/maintenance. However, as there are no experience with reusing the Falcon 9, it is the proper scientific/engineer approach to extremely carefully inspect the whole rocket to document its conditions to analyze possible failure reasons. The engines have been endurance tested on the ground, but not after reentry. So one has to learn about this. Ideally, all those inspections show that the rocket is just fine, but one can know only doing the proper science. With those experiences gained, it is possible determine the service intervals for standard use.
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That's true, but it's not at all clear that scarygliders was talking only about these first few re-used rockets as it was a completely unqualified statement. I certainly read that post as talking about refurbishment generally, in which case sandworm101's reply seems to me to be perfectly reasonable and measured.