SpaceX test flight of Starship SN-5 [video]

Re:SpaceX test flight of Starship SN-5 [video] by maxioatic on Wednesday August 05, 2020 @01:30AM (#24057542)

I feel the same way. Likely not to start but over time I think they would build up capability. I wonder how lesser gravity on Mars would help/hurt their efforts. Easier to heft heavy gear up high?

I'm also thinking on the flip side, say a Starship somehow gets irreparably damaged getting to Mars (but successfully gets there). With some basic gear they should be able to part it out and re-use the steel.

Like for a new door on all the Cybertrucks rollin' around up there. /s

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Re:SpaceX test flight of Starship SN-5 [video] by nine_k on Wednesday August 05, 2020 @02:39PM (#24064064)

The idea of using parts of the landing unit for materials to build local structures and machines is not new. Probably, with proper planning and construction of the lander unit parts, it can be facilitated.

But you have to plan for another mission to pick up the crew, unless you're on the Moon where you could use an electromagnetic catapult to achieve orbit, and then slowly ascend to the rocket that would take you home.

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Re:SpaceX test flight of Starship SN-5 [video] by maxioatic on Wednesday August 05, 2020 @08:29PM (#24067065)

I didn't know that. Sure, it doesn't sound like a revolutionary idea, and I'm not surprised at all its been thought of. I was basing it on the assumption there are people there already who aren't leaving. With a colony on Mars/Moon it surely becomes more useful to have a vast amount of steel to reuse than some crazy alloy.

Electromagnetic catapult, huh. Sounds fun as hell.

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