tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post4104848899247832551..comments2024-03-28T08:06:43.198-04:00Comments on The Silicon Graybeard: SpaceX Kicking of 2020 TomorrowSiGraybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-44478101850270259342020-01-05T21:38:55.828-05:002020-01-05T21:38:55.828-05:00Recovering the upper stage of Falcon would be trul...Recovering the upper stage of Falcon would be truly amazing. <br /><br />Yes, fairing seems difficult, but each half is basically an aeroshield by itself. NASA had designs for emergency single man escape from orbit, from a solid sled much like a fairing, or an inflatable heat shield much like what you'd find at the bottom of a capsule - think those inflatable ski-sled thingies you pull behind a boat...<br /><br />But a cylinder, with engine on one end and open part on the other? That's about as aerodynamic (for aerobraking) as a rock. <br /><br />Wonder if they'll put wings on it or if they'll go with more of those waffle-fins.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.com