Starship will eventually be a totally reusable launch system to get humans to Moon , Mars and beyond.
Maybe the moon, I recently read an article where travelling further could be problematic due to kidney failure. I'll see if I can find the article, both an interesting and depressing read for those hoping to see Mars reachable within our lifetimes.
Musks future estimates once fully reusable and a continuous launch cadence was around $2 million per launch. Probably $50m each until they reach full launch cadence. He’s talking about sending 1000 ships to Mars ??? Hmm ….
Musk is very much an opportunist. Space X have had to invent very little which this gleaning off the net neatly summarises....
"NASA essentially had to invent the space program as we know today. Everything like the deep space network, communications, practical ways of doing the orbital maneuvers, handling cryogenic propellants, building large rocket engines and handling combustion instability, handling PoGo oscillations and all the challenges of building a super-heavy lift rocket - and all of this with little to no previous practical knowledge of the technical challenges posed by Space travel, and all of this done with slide rules and slow, primitive computers"
Yet, with all these lessons already learnt Space X still blow stuff up.
Musk is very much an opportunist. Space X have had to invent very little which this gleaning off the net neatly summarises....
"NASA essentially had to invent the space program as we know today. Everything like the deep space network, communications, practical ways of doing the orbital maneuvers, handling cryogenic propellants, building large rocket engines and handling combustion instability, handling PoGo oscillations and all the challenges of building a super-heavy lift rocket - and all of this with little to no previous practical knowledge of the technical challenges posed by Space travel, and all of this done with slide rules and slow, primitive computers"
Yet, with all these lessons already learnt Space X still blow stuff up.
I totally concur with all the above as most of today’s industry and technology was built from the pioneers of the past. My Aunt in the US worked for Rocketdyne ( 1968 to 1978 ) as a Secretary to one of many managers in production. She often sent me Apollo merchandise, a great time in history.
At least Musk has a vision and purpose not like his Amazon counterpart sending up the rich and famous for a flea hop. Smilin Al would turn in his grave if he knew about this mockery of the past and present astronaut corp.
I forgot to point out that Musk has launched nearly 500 Falcon 9 missions ( both crewed and un crewed supply and science missions ) with only 3 failures. Falcon 9 is not a small rocket ( thrust nearly 2 million pounds) and is 70% reusable. It can land anywhere land or sea.
Actually bad weather ( wind ) caused the scrub due to the tail end of that east coast low which pushed down the NSW coast yesterday.
Hopefully they get another launch window later this week
"We’ve made the tough call to postpone this week’s launch… to give us a longer, more flexible launch window for our first test flight, and our team a chance to rest after an intense few weeks of testing and prep."
They don't mention the weather. The forecast for tomorrow is sunny with light winds.
I know how complex this first flight must be for those behind it. But the repeated delays and postponements do leave me with a sense of unease. I can't put a name to it. Just a lingering doubt.
Just watched the Eris rocket lift off , rise up to around 50m , drift sideways , fall and blow up.
They have some work to do , back to the drawing board
I’m no rocket engineer but initial observation was that power weight ratio severely compromised by lack of thrust, plus compromised thrust vector control.The exhaust plume didn’t seem enough at lift off for the specs on the rocket, even from a few kilometres away.
I think those pathetic engines lasted only a few seconds.
If they survive financially, we may see another attempt in a few years, hopefully using proper rocket engines, solid or liquid fueled, not hybrid. But that will take a lot of money.
Something not right with the engine but they seemed to have control of the rocket right to the end and maybe moved it away from the tower to save a bit of infrastructure.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket has demonstrated a strong success rate, particularly in recent years. While early launches had some failures, Rocket Lab has achieved a 100% mission success rate in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. This consistency, along with rapid turnaround times, has positioned Electron as a leading small satellite launch vehicle.
Here's a more detailed look:
Overall Electron Success:
The Electron rocket has flown 68 times, with 64 successful launches and 4 failures.
Recent Success:
Rocket Lab completed a record launch turnaround in June 2025, launching two missions in under 48 hours from the same launch site, and achieved a 100% success rate for the year.
100% Success Rate in 2024:
Rocket Lab achieved a 100% mission success rate for all 16 Electron launches in 2024.
Continued Success in 2025:
This success continued into the first quarter of 2025, with a 100% mission success rate, including three launches in 13 days
