SpaceX Finishes Assembling New Starship Prototype (Photo)

[AntennaGuy]

This article shows a picture of the exterior of the new SpaceX Starship Mk1 prototype:
https://www.space.com/spacex-assembles- ... photo.html
It was hard to find, but I just discovered a diagram of its internal workings! Here it is:
https://i.redd.it/8b7s7ni947001.jpg
Well ok, ok, maybe that isn't really what it looks like inside. But... it does look kinda similar, right?

[notFritzArgelander]

The design is cute. The only problem I see is that there's not enough of a "gas tank".

[Ylem]

It's certainly nice and shiney
Can carry 100 people! Wow!

[smp]

Here's another article from Ars Technica:

https://arstechnica.com/features/2019/0 ... le-closer/

smp

[GCoyote]

Unfortunately, Mr. Musk is not mellowing with age. Rockets are not the most serious sticking point in going to Mars. The limitations imposed on human biology by the zero-g and radiation environment are the most serious impediments and SpaceX isn't working on those parts.

[notFritzArgelander]

Unfortunately, Mr. Musk is not mellowing with age. Rockets are not the most serious sticking point in going to Mars. The limitations imposed on human biology by the zero-g and radiation environment are the most serious impediments and SpaceX isn't working on those parts.

Agreed. Rocketry might be fun and flashy but biology is the point of failure.

[Star Dad]

Yeah. I keep telling the young folks I run into at outreach programs that solving the radiation problem is paramount before going to the Moon or Mars. 6 months there - a couple of months to build shelters (or dig into the ground) add up to some serious REMs. (Roentgen Equivalent Man) The astronauts that went to the moon had a 4 fold increase in the rate of cancer and they were only exposed a few days. We need a lightweight shield - be it magnetic or physical before we send anyone or they'll be DOA (Dead On Arrival) to Mars.

[goldstar]

I can't help commenting that the launcher looks very 1950 Sci Fi'sh with a dash of Flash Gordon stirred in there.
Whatever- the thought of propelling 100 passengers into orbit and possibly watching the monster explode is just one huge Musky ego trip waiting to go down.
Don't get me wrong-I love this guy's ambition but it doesn't take even a small disaster to to destroy the whole program.
I note that we have not read much about Branson's efforts after the loss of a pilot some years ago.
He's the sort of guy that takes the human cost deeply to heart.
I hope we can say the same about Musk...god forbid if it happens...

[AntennaGuy]

I can't help commenting that the launcher looks very 1950 Sci Fi'sh with a dash of Flash Gordon stirred in there.

Heh heh. 1930s, actually. Here's where I got the second link:

[GCoyote]

I can't help commenting that the launcher looks very 1950 Sci Fi'sh with a dash of Flash Gordon stirred in there.
Whatever- the thought of propelling 100 passengers into orbit and possibly watching the monster explode is just one huge Musky ego trip waiting to go down.
Don't get me wrong-I love this guy's ambition but it doesn't take even a small disaster to to destroy the whole program.
I note that we have not read much about Branson's efforts after the loss of a pilot some years ago.
He's the sort of guy that takes the human cost deeply to heart.
I hope we can say the same about Musk...god forbid if it happens...

Here is an update, https://www.afr.com/technology/branson- ... 927-p52vft