2024-10-26 02:05:33
Elon explained the reason for catching the rocket 2 years ago as being 1) getting rid of landing gear and making the craft lighter and 2) ability to redeploy starship quickly [Link] NEEDS_MORE_RATINGS(5-0-0) Author
2024-10-26 12:38:02
Engines do not "lose efficiency because they need to push the air out to the side." Trust increases as fuel is used. Also, the rocket does not need to "fall out of the air." They can land on legs (see F9 land [Link] Starship will be cought to save mass on the ship and rapid reuse. NEEDS_MORE_RATINGS(1-0-0) Author
2024-10-26 12:54:24
SpaceX catches the Super Heavy Booster and in future, the Starship 2nd stage, to save mass and to reduce turnaround times. Instead of having heavy landing legs it is caught by the launch tower, and this mass saving means a heavier payload can be sent to orbit. [Link] NEEDS_MORE_RATINGS(2-0-0) Author