Public Opinion Reaction Once Both SuperHeavies Fly

[TomH]

WaPo article comparing/contrasting the two SHLVs:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2023/nasa-sls-spacex-starship-rockets/

[leovinus]

WaPo article comparing/contrasting the two SHLVs:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2023/nasa-sls-spacex-starship-rockets/

Good animations but nothing on cost. A simple 4x RS25 =$100 million and compare with 33 Raptors x 250k = $8.25 million aka 12x cheaper would be a nice discussion point.

[DanClemmensen]

WaPo article comparing/contrasting the two SHLVs:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2023/nasa-sls-spacex-starship-rockets/

Good animations but nothing on cost. A simple 4x RS25 =$100 million and compare with 33 Raptors x 250k = $8.25 million aka 12x cheaper would be a nice discussion point.

Check your math: the real situation is even worse. 4 RS25 @ $100 Million ea = $400 Million. The raptors are about 50 x cheaper, and this is without considering the SLS SRBs and without considering Starship reusability. With reusability (conservatively) of an average of 8.25, the Raptor cost per launch is $1 million. I don't think SpaceX will get all the way down to $250k, but I think the reuse count will be a lot higher than 8.25.

[deadman1204]

outside of the space fan section of the internet, I think the reaction won't be what people think.
Much of the general public thinks all rockets are nasa rockets. Even though SLS is the only rocket nasa "owns". They also dont know anything about cost and sls. They'll just see another rocket and think cool.

[TomH]

CNN article points out the dramatic cost differences, but most of it is criticism of Boeing. The author does acknowledge the role of politics and pork in the issue.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/20/tech/boeing-nasa-sls-rocket-history-scn/index.html

I am glad at least to see mainstream media putting information in front of the public.