Thread

1. holt62 · 1790592705 · focus · HN ↗

   What an incredible feat of engineering, even if it doesn't make orbit. Just getting that much mass off the pad is mind-boggling.

   1. benj111 · 1790594142 · focus · HN ↗

      Well considering the point of it is the make orbit, it would be a bit useless if it didn't.

      Would HN describe a huge program that didn't do the thing it was designed to do a "feat of engineering"?

      1. s08148692 · 1790594810 · focus · HN ↗

         Yes. The Starship program is pushing the limits of engineering, if it fails today it doesn't make it unimpressive

         I'd also consider the attempts at fusion energy to be very impressive engineering projects even though none have them have yielded a stable source of fusion energy

         1. dgellow · 1790600542 · focus · HN ↗

            Could someone give me a eli5 of what makes that launch impressive compared to other rocket launches?

            1. atonse · 1790605836 · focus · HN ↗

               Also getting to "orbit" is a huge feat, because you need to be going over 17,500 mph (28,000 km/h), get into a designated orbit, and in this case, they're also deploying starlink satellites.

               This rocket is the largest rocket ever made by humans, and the largest to even reach orbit, which is insane considering it's by a private company and not a national space program.

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