During the recent ITS presentation, Elon mentioned an upcoming F9 upgrade, slated for "next year". What do you guys think the upgrade will be? I'll throw out a few possibilities:* fairing reuse
can you explain the rationale?p.salso possible that by upgrade he meant the F9H.
I would think changes to second stage to avoid the problems with the helium system. The first stage seems fine as is, with maybe some minor improvements. The second stage lost a cargo to ISS, due to helium tank struts. They are now looking at something that may have happened with the helium system. They may place the helium tanks in the kerosene tanks like the first stage.
Next year is too soon for Raptor.They have only just test fired it for the first time. There are probably a year or more of tests to come, perhaps with several versions for gradual improvements.
Quote from: MikeAtkinson on 09/29/2016 12:25 pmNext year is too soon for Raptor.They have only just test fired it for the first time. There are probably a year or more of tests to come, perhaps with several versions for gradual improvements.And it was a scaled down version at that.
I object to the use of 'v1.2' for the next version of Falcon. SpaceX may call the current version 'FT', but they use the moniker 'v1.2' internally. Various websites use that label as well. The fact there will be another version of the F9 shows that the name 'Full Thrust' was not the best choice.I suggest using 'v1.3' for the next version.
Quote from: Hobbes-22 on 09/29/2016 01:12 pmI object to the use of 'v1.2' for the next version of Falcon. SpaceX may call the current version 'FT', but they use the moniker 'v1.2' internally. Various websites use that label as well. The fact there will be another version of the F9 shows that the name 'Full Thrust' was not the best choice.I suggest using 'v1.3' for the next version.I concur, this would be Falcon 9 v1.3
And it was a scaled down version at that.
Quote from: Falcon H on 09/29/2016 02:27 pmAnd it was a scaled down version at that.By OSHA rule 1910.23, guardrail height is 42" = ~1.1m, gives ~0.91m diameter of the Bell end/engine throat. Either it's half size or without nozzle...