@elonmusk@Rainmaker1973 'Fully solved' by definition requires addressing all possible moves, even 'stupid' moves. We are already able to beat all 'sensible' algorithm moves, and certainly all human moves.
@batcavefiles@Erdayastronaut When the ship re-enters, it is by definition on a sub orbital trajectory, thus moving at sub-orbital speeds. The re-entry conditions will be near identical the of flight 13. And no, Musk nor SpaceX 'own' regulatory approval, and have been delayed by the FAA many times before.
@batcavefiles@Erdayastronaut There are many, many possible other reasons for delay, completely outside of the heat shield. It could simply be a matter of gaining regulatory approval, or preparing the launch pad for the catch operation. They may also want to perform additional preflight testing before catch.
@conspiracyslyr This is incorrect. NASA has discarded rocket stages and has the crash into the moon several times, including during Apollo missions 13-17.
@peterrhague@SpaceX This has been severely overdramatized by the media. NASA has discarded several rocket stages resulting in the crashing them into the moon, most notably during EVERY Apollo mission from Apollo 13-17. And the are literally developing a reusable second stage: STARSHIP.
@PebMet1@SpaceX@elonmusk Was the first New Glenn Mission was a success? Just like with flight 12, the booster failed all post-ascent objectives. However, because of the successful orbit insertion (also with flight 12), NG1 was widely regarded as successful. Booster recovery is not mission critical.
@JoeDienstag@SpaceX If you think about it, it's a 50m high-rise building tipping over, and it's full of highly flammable fuel and oxidizer. In a 'normal flight', it won't be landing on the ocean, so they don't need to design it to survive tipping over.