@josefprusa I really wish it felt like there was a chance for a start up doing something in this industry, but It's just so difficult in the western world to compete. I've been designing a large core-xy of my own, inspired by others, but the cost to build high quality would make most cry.
Just inspected the Starship booster, which the arms have now placed back in its launch mount. Looks great!
A few outer engine nozzles are warped from heating & some other minor issues, but these are easily addressed.
Starship is designed to achieve reflight of its rocket booster ultimately within an hour after liftoff. The booster returns within ~5 minutes, so the remaining time is reloading propellant and placing a ship on top of the booster.
Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria had to be met prior to catching the Super Heavy booster. Thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with catch on our first attempt.
@Positron3d@BambulabGlobal@Prusa3D I have been wanting to get one for a while, but the cost to Australia is probitive after getting hit with import tax. I still have my Prusa i3 I built back 2012 before Josef started the company. Amazing how far they have come.
Still absolutely speechless. That was one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen in my entire life! Huge congrats to the teams @spaxex for getting SO MUCH DATA!!! 🙌 rest for us here and then review footage tonight!
Reentry heat is wicked - I've survived it 3 times. Learning a lot about the difference between simulation and reality today @SpaceX. Congratulations on both soft splashdowns - pushing the envelope right to the edge. Excellent!
Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!
Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic achievement!!