Astronomy Picture of the Day - Moon Rising Between Starships

APOD.NASA.gov ^ | 22 Feb, 2021 | Image Credit & Copyright: John Kraus

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: What's that on either side of the Moon? Starships. Specifically, they are launch-and-return reusable rockets being developed by SpaceX to lift cargo and eventually humans from the Earth's surface into space. The two rockets pictured are SN9 (Serial Number 9) and SN10 which were captured near their Boca Chica, Texas launchpad last month posing below January's full Wolf Moon. The Starships house liquid-methane engines inside rugged stainless-steel shells. SN9 was test-launched earlier this month and did well with the exception of one internal rocket that failed to relight during powered descent. SN10 continues to undergo ground tests and may be test-launched later this month.

[MtnClimber]

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[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌

[polymuser]

Elon Musk got Americans interested in and excited about space travel again.

He’s doing what NASA (inevitably) lost sight of. NASA is a prime example of where gov bureaucracy leads to vs. private enterprise.

[Viking2002]

Way cool, like out of an old sci-fi movie.

[Seruzawa]

Sorry, but it’s ridiculous to call spacecraft “starships” that can’t even achieve moon orbit.

[Flick Lives]

*This* is the way spaceships should look.

[know.your.why]

Sorry, but it’s ridiculous to call spacecraft “starships” that can’t even achieve moon orbit

You must have been a real drag to play with as a kid.

[Kartographer]

What a picayune and petty objection to such an interesting post and a truly superb photo

[mylife]

very cool...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=PnbB8DvggXQ&feature=emb_logo

[mlo]

"Sorry, but it’s ridiculous to call spacecraft “starships” that can’t even achieve moon orbit."

Starship is being designed to go to the Moon and to Mars.

These are only prototypes.

[Larry Lucido]

Like a flaming globe!

[Delta 21]

Ha! Yeah, the only ones that get to make that complaint are the aliens that just dropped out of warp on the trip from their solar system.

[Jamestown1630]

One of my favorite childhood memories:

[ctdonath2]

Those are well understood to be the second stage of a much taller rocket. These are the stage capable of return trips to/from Mars and beyond.

“Planetships” is just awkward to say, hence the aspirational “Starships”.

[TChad]

Beautiful. Inspirational for kids. “When I grow up...”

[CJ Wolf]

Hey it could go to the sun. Only at night though.

[Seruzawa]

Still not going to Alpha Centauri. Words mean things.

[mrsmith]

Impressive pic!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

First: those who build them get to name them. You did not build these.

Two: everything is made of Material from the Stars, Star-stuff. So technically star-ships.

Humm. Don't like that?

Third: adjust the trajectory sunwards at launch and they become Star Ships. (Seems a bit of a waste though...)

You should enjoy this! Not only is it a work of fiction, the fictive starship and troopers will never land on any star anywhere!

That said I wish you a good night!