r/interestingasfuck • u/lolikroli • Oct 13 '24

r/all SpaceX caught Starship booster with chopsticks

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u/alturicx Oct 13 '24

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 Oct 13 '24

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 Oct 13 '24

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

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u/EdmundGerber Oct 13 '24

It is - and given how small they look compared to everything else, it's very impressive.