Quote from: RotoSequence on 05/03/2018 11:06 pmQuote from: Lars-J on 05/03/2018 11:04 pmNope, same diameter. (see image) Don't be fooled by the racetracks that add apparent (but not real) diameter.When are people going to stop doing attempted image analysis on tiny JPEGs with terrible compression?Probably at the same time people stop using similarly terrible images for the counterpoint. ? You might want to schedule an appointment with an optician. So you stand by your belief?
Quote from: Lars-J on 05/03/2018 11:04 pmNope, same diameter. (see image) Don't be fooled by the racetracks that add apparent (but not real) diameter.When are people going to stop doing attempted image analysis on tiny JPEGs with terrible compression?Probably at the same time people stop using similarly terrible images for the counterpoint.
Nope, same diameter. (see image) Don't be fooled by the racetracks that add apparent (but not real) diameter.When are people going to stop doing attempted image analysis on tiny JPEGs with terrible compression?
I find it curious that the raceway down the first stage is black, yet remains white on the second stage.
I thought the legs just changed material and/or coating, and I know they made them retractable at landing. The upper attach points are drastically different and the 6 4 triangle-shaped objects on either edge are gone as well.
The black color comes from thermal protection coatings for reentry. Obviously not needed for 2nd stages.
Quote from: 2008rlctx on 05/04/2018 03:54 pmI thought the legs just changed material and/or coating, and I know they made them retractable at landing. The upper attach points are drastically different and the 6 4 triangle-shaped objects on either edge are gone as well. Those 'triangle' attach points are still there, just hidden by the now wider legs. (See the Block 5 test pictures from McGregor, the core leg attachment points are there, see image) Those attach points may have moved slightly as well.So it is not completely clean sheet.
I wish SpaceX would write the core numbers more prominently and in something other than pale grey.
Looking at the side profiles, the new legs don't seem quite as aerodynamic along their leading edge. I wonder if that could cause a microscopic amount of performance loss (not to imply that the loss wouldn't be made up elsewhere in the over all Block 5 design).
Let's hope all the...I's (were) dotted!
The final shape isn't all that different - the leg tips have been extended and rounded like the cap/fairings.