Oh hey cool, an op-ed I wrote is now published!
TLDR: we need *fewer* satellites, each with *longer* operational lifetimes. Engineers: that's your challenge.
Thousands of satellites with incredibly short lifetimes are being sent up into low Earth orbit. When they fall back down they're fireballs of pollution — and what doesn't burn up hits the ground.
That's a really nice article!
Incidentally, this morning I came across a writeup about the state of SpaceX in general. I used to grudgingly accept that they at least seem to know their rocketry.
Not so much it turns out.
https://www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/starship-was-doomed-from-the-beginning
@DanielEriksson @sundogplanets In short, Capitalism's N1. Seems to be coming apart for similar reasons (pogo, exploding turbopumps, control problems, desperate weight-shaving, in-flight fires) too.
A Methalox nine-Raptor first stage with RVac high energy upper stage (with a lifting body for crew) really would have made more sense, even if it was just an interim.
Probably the greatest core flaw of Starship is that it tries to do everything.
Prof. Sam Lawler
Dr Daniel, Photon Shepherd🇸🇪🇦🇺
Garrett Latimer