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SpaceX's Starship launching to orbit for first time ever today

304 points · 367 comments · geox

  1. holt62 · · 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 · · 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 · · 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 · · focus · HN ↗
          Could someone give me a eli5 of what makes that launch impressive compared to other rocket launches?
          1. jryle70 · · focus · HN ↗
            Full reuse. Both Superheavy (booster) and Starship (the spaceship). Especially Starship. It has never been been done (don't say Shuttle).

            Falcon 9 achieved reusable 10 years ago. Other rockets have only started getting there recently. Starship is a big step forward.

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