And the Shuttle's escape system wasn't for use during launch. It was only usable in controlled flight, if they couldn't reach a runway. It was added after Challenger.
Yes, but broadly speaking that has been known pre-SpaceX. The DC-X was the first proof of concept, and SpaceX's wonderful engineering is another evolutionary step in that direction. In Musk's words, SpaceX is "Just continuing the great work of the DC-X program"
> SpaceX has pretty conclusively shown the Shuttle architecture (stage and a half, using LH2 at launch) was not the right choice.
The space shuttle was retired for a reason? This was already known. The only thing it shows is that with that knowledge, you can design something better. Hindsight 20/20 etc
[−]dreamcompiler · 2026-11-15 Sun 17:09 UTC ·
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NASA knew the shuttle was not the right technical choice before it ever flew. But it was the only political choice they could get funded at the time.
And even Space Shuttle wasn't a demonstration of that, since the propellant tankage (the largest volume of any stage) wasn't reusable.
SpaceX has pretty conclusively shown the Shuttle architecture (stage and a half, using LH2 at launch) was not the right choice.
[1] https://www.space.com/22432-reusable-dc-x-rocket-space-hall-...
The space shuttle was retired for a reason? This was already known. The only thing it shows is that with that knowledge, you can design something better. Hindsight 20/20 etc