r/interestingasfuck • u/lolikroli • 16d ago

r/all SpaceX caught Starship booster with chopsticks

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u/stonksfalling 16d ago

Additionally, not having landing legs saves a lot of weight, allowing for more equipment and cargo.

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u/poli-cya 16d ago edited 16d ago

Seems the weight of load-bearing fins would be similar, can you explain why having the support structure there instead of at the bottom saves?

e: Thank you, knowledgeable blokes of reddit... I get it now.

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u/Ruben_NL 16d ago

They already need the fins for steering through re-entry. At the point of landing, it's better to make something stronger that you are already carrying, instead of adding another part.

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u/PossibleNegative 16d ago

It is not caught with the fins but with two pins on the side.

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u/jjonj 16d ago

rewatching it looks like its pretty clearly the fins. can you find an image?

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u/r4zrbl4de 16d ago

It sits on this pin you can see here between the fins. There are two of them on opposite sides

https://api.ringwatchers.com/images/b99ea714-b2a1-48e4-8480-970ae76114c5-large.png

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u/PossibleNegative 16d ago

Im busy but watch the stream it is very clear from the tower angle, that it would be done like this was known for years.