Unlikely, but maybe still least unlikely, they have advanced the legs so much that they can do reentry without firing by using the legs partially deployed as aerobrakes and for a lifting trajectory.Given that it almost looks like New Glenn will attempt this with the rudimentary wings maybe not too outlandish. It would explain a large jump in reusable performance.
Was there a post somewhere in this thread about what is known about Block 5 upgrades and how they add up to impressive performance gains?
I tried the search, but it has it's limitations. I too would like to know the block 5 performance gains. I thought that they have already gone to full thrust engines. I would assume it would be strengthening weak components, like the helium tanks on the second stage.
Quote from: spacenut on 03/13/2017 07:14 pmI tried the search, but it has it's limitations. I too would like to know the block 5 performance gains. I thought that they have already gone to full thrust engines. I would assume it would be strengthening weak components, like the helium tanks on the second stage. It's not always on NSFhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9#Falcon_9_Block_5
Quote from: butters on 03/13/2017 06:47 pmWas there a post somewhere in this thread about what is known about Block 5 upgrades and how they add up to impressive performance gains?The performance improving changes that known for sure are the Merlin thrust upgrades (to 7607 kN at SL) and expected changes to the COPVs to allow rapid filling (which will lighten the upper stage).There is a updated version of the fairing and of the landing legs coming. It's not clear if those are lighter for performance gains, but that seems likely.
Quote from: Lar on 03/09/2017 02:32 am*ALL* SpaceX has to do is increase reliability as fast as possible to close to Atlas levels, get cadence and predictability down pat, and prove out that reuse lets them get their costs to 30M a launch or so... *ALL* they have to do is all of that and there isn't much room for a 150M a launch provider except for very high end specialty/government payloads. and, and, and, and......Yeah, and if a frog had wingsThe bet would be straight up. There is no weasling out with odds. Either you put up or ....And becoming the American Proton doesn't count. That is a pyrrhic victory.
*ALL* SpaceX has to do is increase reliability as fast as possible to close to Atlas levels, get cadence and predictability down pat, and prove out that reuse lets them get their costs to 30M a launch or so... *ALL* they have to do is all of that and there isn't much room for a 150M a launch provider except for very high end specialty/government payloads.
A partially redesigned fairing to better suit the deployment of the constellation would make economic sense if they could fit even one or two more satellites per launch. Since that would reduce the number of required launches around 10%.
Quote from: envy887 on 03/13/2017 07:46 pmQuote from: butters on 03/13/2017 06:47 pmWas there a post somewhere in this thread about what is known about Block 5 upgrades and how they add up to impressive performance gains?The performance improving changes that known for sure are the Merlin thrust upgrades (to 7607 kN at SL) and expected changes to the COPVs to allow rapid filling (which will lighten the upper stage).There is a updated version of the fairing and of the landing legs coming. It's not clear if those are lighter for performance gains, but that seems likely.8,451 kN is a 24.2% increase from the initial full thrust capability.
Quote from: JazzFan on 03/13/2017 08:48 pmQuote from: envy887 on 03/13/2017 07:46 pmQuote from: butters on 03/13/2017 06:47 pmWas there a post somewhere in this thread about what is known about Block 5 upgrades and how they add up to impressive performance gains?The performance improving changes that known for sure are the Merlin thrust upgrades (to 7607 kN at SL) and expected changes to the COPVs to allow rapid filling (which will lighten the upper stage).There is a updated version of the fairing and of the landing legs coming. It's not clear if those are lighter for performance gains, but that seems likely.8,451 kN is a 24.2% increase from the initial full thrust capability. 8,451 kN is NOT a real number. Elon tweeted "1.9 million lbf" and somebody converted that to kN, which is 8,451.62... but Elon was referring to the vacuum thrust of the vehicle that gets 7,607 kN at liftoff. Which is 1.85 million lbf. This is why rounding, unit conversion, dropping and adding significant figures, and conflating SL and Vac numbers is misleading.Look at the published numbers here: http://www.spacex.com/falcon9
Wikipedia depends on people like you to correct those things.
each octaweb takes about 3 months to go through the welding process from start to finish, there are MULTIPLE NDE checks at each step of the process'.
the octaweb team is typically 5-6 welders working day shift and 2-3 night shift. at any time there are about 5-6 octawebs in different stages of build, but each one spends roughly 3-4 months in that department from start to finish.
Musk: New design coming for Grid Fin. Will be largest titanium forging in the world. Current Grid Fin is aluminum and gets so hot it lights on fire... which isn't good for reuse.