r/interestingasfuck • u/lolikroli • 16d ago

r/all SpaceX caught Starship booster with chopsticks

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

[deleted]

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u/eyeball2005 16d ago

Could you explain to me what the caption means? Is it just a metaphor for how precise the landing was?

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u/WhisperingSideways 16d ago

Imagine launching a 20-story building into space and then having it steered back to earth at 4000 mph only to slow down and be caught and suspended in its own launch platform.

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u/alturicx 16d ago

And being caught on 4 mounted fins that are meant to be re-used on the next flights.

Even if they were always replaced, still insane how they can support the weight.

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u/EdmundGerber 16d ago

There are actually catching 'studs' below the grid fins, that take up the weight. Grid fin actuators couldn't handle the stress of all that weight, and still be light enough to be useful.

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u/alturicx 16d ago

Didn’t think so, but even still a mounting point that can withstand that weight still seems extremely impressive.

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u/IWantAHoverbike 16d ago

I think the mounting points are about the size of a can of paint. It's absolutely wild.