At this point I think Elon Musk knows more about blowing up rockets than anyone currently alive on Earth.
1 month ago | 555
Apparently no one told him about the icing problem. So much for being the real life Tony Stark.
1 month ago | 49
Another way it's like the Cybertruck, it can't go through the car wash either.
1 month ago (edited) | 128
They are slowly solving the problems that were all solved on the Space Shuttle program... but with much better fireworks! lol
1 month ago | 53
SpaceX will claim Nasa never specified that the tiles must be waterproof, but they'll be happy to fix the problem for another billion or so in funding.
1 month ago | 78
As Adam something would say, "known genius Elon Musk finally discovers the importance of waterproofing your f**** tiles *50 years after it was discovered the first time."😂
1 month ago (edited) | 40
Hear me out. What if we just ignore that, and push on ahead?
1 month ago | 64
I work at spaceX, i can confirm the engineers have never heard of rain or water.
1 month ago | 103
It'll end up with them building a one-time Temu- rocket and they being proud as if it's an incredible breakthrough.
1 month ago | 16
How dare you doubt Elon's special ability to dodge the laws of physics. Don't you know who he is?
1 month ago | 8
Starship is designed to blow up, that's the only way to gather data
1 month ago | 48
Imagine it raining while the rocket is already set up, and only the windward side is getting soaked, making it heavier...
1 month ago | 6
If you've ever accidentally tried to use an oven mitt that got wet - you an realize first how how water negates insulation.
1 month ago | 62
Oh but he’s a brilliant businessman and culture icon. It’s simply amazing the level of stupid that people will believe just because someone has a lot of money.
1 month ago | 23
At this rate, they're going to go a full circle and end up with the Shuttle again.
1 month ago | 56
Thunderf00t
Short version of why Starship thermal protection system not being waterproof is devastating.....
One good thunderstorm and the heat tiles will absorb TONS of water. It rains a lot in TX and FL.
Thats an issue in knowing what the actual launch weight of your vehicle is.
IF you launch with that it will freeze with evaporative cooling in space.... and damage the structure of the heat tiles.
The ice evaporation rate will be slow, and on reentry will boil acting as a fantastic heat transfer agent.....negating the main purpose of the heat shield... insulation!
Shuttle had more or less the exact same tiles, and the exact same problem. The solution... WATERPROOF THE TILES...... downside.... kills rapid reuse as you have to do it every time you fly the vehicle.
Starship heat tiles are a COMPLETE water sponge!
1 month ago | [YT] | 2,035