Gwynne Shotwell Interview - June 22, 2017 on The Space Show

[Lobo]

Easiest reconciliation is that they are "looking into" a Falcon Raptor the same way NASA looked into adding crew to EM-1. They knew it was a terrible idea but needed to confirm that.

The motives concerning EM-1 were pretty clear. What's the motive for Shotwell to divulge that SpaceX is looking into such an obviously terrible idea?

Dunno, but...

"Looking at the utility of it [Raptor] on Falcon"

[Jim]

It's 5.5 miles to the ocean, and only 1.5 of that is residential. 

If you're willing to do a road-block on Hwy 105 for 5 minutes, then you have a clear path without overflying anything other than pavement.

If the stages are reusable, you only have to do it occasionally - maybe once a month or less.

A non-issue.

Unqualified statements.

[Elmar Moelzer]

So will the Block 5 be stretched again to accommodate that yet once again increased thrust?
How much longer can F9 get?

[gongora]

Helium discussion moved to:
The SpaceX Helium Supply Discussion Thread

[cppetrie]

So will the Block 5 be stretched again to accommodate that yet once again increased thrust?
How much longer can F9 get?

No tank stretches. Would require changes to TEL (as I understand it). Additional thrust is due to further uprating engines (again, as I understand it).

[envy887]

So will the Block 5 be stretched again to accommodate that yet once again increased thrust?
How much longer can F9 get?

I doubt it, as that has significant implications for GSE. SpaceX has never changed tank dimensions without a version change.

But they can fit more prop mass in the same tank by loading it colder and faster, and by reducing the number of helium bottles in the LOX tank.