[−]somenameforme · 2026-11-15 Sun 02:25 UTC ·
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There's many objections to this, but a major one is that the entire vision for Starship is Mars and other terrestrial bodies. If you create something optimized for Earth, you have to start over from scratch for another planet. And vice versa if you create something specialized for another planet.
An adaptable retropulsive landing system, by contrast, is fit for duty just about anywhere. In the long run you'd just need the atmospheric/planetary specs, a flat hard surface somewhere, and it'd be able to come down on it safely.
An adaptable retropulsive landing system, by contrast, is fit for duty just about anywhere. In the long run you'd just need the atmospheric/planetary specs, a flat hard surface somewhere, and it'd be able to come down on it safely.