Must: [sic] Merlin engine thrust increased by 8%. Might be a little more room there. #SpaceX #Falcon9 #Block5
Falcon 9 Block 5 will see an 8 percent increase in thrust over older Block 4 models. Thrust-to-weight ratio even better than it was before, Musk says, which was already the best in the world for previous models.
Musk: Merlin rocket engine thrust increased by 8 percent, to 190,000 lbf.
Musk: Lots of new thermal protection material designed my SpaceX. Does not require paint. #SpaceX #Falcon9 #Block5
Musk: The black interstage and landing legs use a new thermal protection material that does not require paint
Musk on black interstage, raceways and landing legs: All use new thermal protection layers, which don't require paint. They're hydrophobic, so don't trap water."I really like the aesthetics of it," Musk says.
Musk: Propellant for a launch is only about $300,000 or $400,000. Still hoping to get the marginal cost of a Falcon 9 launch down to $5-$6 million.
Musk on cost of #Falcon9: Booster is about 60%; 20% on second stage; 10% on fairing; 10% on launch itself. Propellant is only about $300,000 per launch, maybe $400,000 "depending on how you count it."
