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To: fieldmarshaldj; AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; ...
Thanks fieldmarshaldj. I'm sure some will be surprised by the design, compliant as it is with aerodynamic requirements. The right hand shot appears to be the artist's conception, the left hand image appears to be a slightly cleaned-up actual photo -- the earlier images showed that it was roughly crafted out of large sheets of stainless steel. The engines are the long-awaited Raptor methane-burners, and this prototype is to be a "hopper", straight up, straight down, propulsive landing.

12 posted on 01/13/2019 1:22:19 AM PST by SunkenCiv (and btw -- https://www.gofundme.com/for-rotator-cuff-repair-surgery)
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https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

As Musk tweeted: “Engines currently on Starship hopper are a blend of Raptor development & operational parts. First hopper engine to be fired is almost finished assembly in California. Probably fires next month.”


14 posted on 01/13/2019 1:30:02 AM PST by SunkenCiv (and btw -- https://www.gofundme.com/for-rotator-cuff-repair-surgery)
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To: SunkenCiv

Some commentary alluded to this second stage as perhaps capable of making orbit with dry tanks and no payload—SSTO.


59 posted on 01/13/2019 7:54:05 AM PST by Ozark Tom
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