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Questions tagged [spacex]

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, is a private space exploration company. It was the world's first privately held company to successfully launch a cargo mission into space , cargo to the ISS (International Space Station), land and reuse a booster, and a crewed mission into orbit. See the wiki for related tags.

50 votes
1 answer
7k views

In Starman's roadster, where's the Towel?

Did Starman forget his towel? A towel is the essential thing every explorer needs to carry, right? Can't get very far without it.
Jake J's user avatar
  • 295
48 votes
1 answer
7k views

Is Starman wearing a seatbelt?

While staring at the live feed of a crash dummy in a convertible in outer space, I was wondering: Is this crash dummy following safety conventions and wearing a seat belt? I somehow doubt that it ...
Mithical's user avatar
  • 493
44 votes
4 answers
11k views

Why can't Falcon 9 fairings touch the water?

SpaceX is spending considerable effort to catch Falcon 9 fairings into a giant net on a ship. I am aware that salt water ruins almost everything in the long run, but the fairings are a composite ...
filo's user avatar
  • 1,442
43 votes
3 answers
10k views

Is a SpaceX launch completely automated?

Once the engines are ignited and liftoff occurs, are any operators/controllers on the ground making any manual changes to the flight? Or are they simply monitoring the entire event until the boosters ...
v15's user avatar
  • 1,189
42 votes
2 answers
8k views

What is that haze on Starman's windshield?

There is a haze on the top half of Starman's windshield? It was not there in the first day o fthe launch and the video feed. It looks like fogged window, but assume it cannot be that. What is it and ...
kdobrev's user avatar
  • 471
41 votes
3 answers
10k views

SpaceX merlin engine failure

On SpaceX's website, they make a claim that their rockets are the safest and most reliable in the industry. This is because apparently it can complete its mission even if up-to two of its engines fail ...
Urvish Ramaiya's user avatar
41 votes
5 answers
15k views

Why did the SpaceX Starship SN10 explode?

Much to everyone's relief. The SpaceX Starship SN10 successfully completed its flight and landed..... But, sometime later, It exploded! Why? And did it have anything to do with the fire near the ...
Đαrkraι's user avatar
  • 1,636
39 votes
4 answers
13k views

Before we build a Mars colony, why don't we build a 100% self-sustainable test colony in the Antarctic?

Before we go to Mars, why don't we build a sealed dome self sustaining colony in the Antarctic? One that can heat itself, recycle all materials, water and waste. Grow enough plants to produce oxygen ...
Bretton Ferguson's user avatar
38 votes
6 answers
9k views

Why did it take so long for methane to be used as a rocket propellant?

SpaceX have put methane on the map as a rocket fuel, but they weren't the first to consider its use. The first experiments in building a rocket engine that uses methane date back to 2007. Now methane ...
Hobbes's user avatar
  • 128k
38 votes
4 answers
6k views

After the Crew Dragon's success, does Boeing's Starliner still offer value?

Boeing's Starliner is more expensive than Crew Dragon and seems not to offer any significant advantages. Is there still value to NASA or other parties in the future to having a choice between the two?
Anixx's user avatar
  • 3,136
37 votes
4 answers
7k views

Why did Starhopper's exhaust plume become brighter just before landing?

In 2019 Aug 27's test flight, during the final 8 seconds before landing (T+00:45), Starhopper's plume was suddenly much brighter. Why? The Raptor's thrust can't ...
Camille Goudeseune's user avatar
36 votes
1 answer
5k views

What are these shiny wrist plates worn by astronauts in the SpaceX crew capsule

What are these shiny wrist plates worn by astronauts in the SpaceX crew capsule? screen shot from the NASA YouTube video Watch NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 Mission Arrive at the International Space Station
Bel Chavarria's user avatar
35 votes
3 answers
8k views

What is the primary reason for SpaceX motion to have astronauts board Dragon before fueling up the rocket?

News piece: NASA supports SpaceX plan to fuel rockets with astronauts on board. The move is criticized by many as unnecessarily dangerous. From what I understand though, it shouldn't be necessary - ...
SF.'s user avatar
  • 55.1k
35 votes
2 answers
5k views

SpaceX and propulsive landing on Mars -- what just happened? (and why?)

There is some news that I've just read about in the Pod Bay SE chat room: Wired: SpaceX's Mars Plan Hits a Pothole. Up Next: The Moon? Ars Technica: Elon Musk’s Mars rocket may be about to lose half ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 149k
35 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why was AMOS-6 mounted on the rocket for a test fire?

I understand that the static test is a general test of pre-launch procedures, but risking a multi-million dollar payload for a test seems remarkable. Couldn't they use a mass simulator or something? ...
Abacus Lever's user avatar

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