Re:Starship Prototype Unveiled
by doomlaser on Monday September 30, 2019 @01:23AM
(#21111990)
> Do that exact maneuver on Earth and you'd get an 'unplanned rapid disassembly' during reentry thanks to the thicker atmosphere
That is the planned Earth re-entry maneuver. Belly first almost all the way down, using the heat shield on one side, then flipping and completely re-orienting near the ground so that the vehicle is pointed upwards, and then the final burn to land upright.
But it does make sense that this path has arisen from a secondary capability: to land on planets or moons with less atmosphere. It still doesn't make me less nervous about their ability to pulli it off reliably. Here's hoping.
That is the planned Earth re-entry maneuver. Belly first almost all the way down, using the heat shield on one side, then flipping and completely re-orienting near the ground so that the vehicle is pointed upwards, and then the final burn to land upright.
But it does make sense that this path has arisen from a secondary capability: to land on planets or moons with less atmosphere. It still doesn't make me less nervous about their ability to pulli it off reliably. Here's hoping.