So, they want to go to the moon... If that happens, I wonder what the moon landing deniers will do? Change their views, or admit that China went to the moon first?
What do you think is the most complex thing here, genuinely? Masten Space's Xombie first flew in 2009 and has done 227 launches and landings.
These are of course small rockets with modest performance. So maybe the hard part is the scale or the mass optimization to a real orbital rocket's first stage.
Again, not saying it's easy, just trying to get insightful comments on what are the hard parts more specifically.
Consistent and sufficient funding that won't evaporate when you inevitably fail the first few times. Investors and political officials get a bit upset when the billion dollar prototype they funded crashes and burns two or three times in a row. But that's kind of what it takes.
So, they want to go to the moon... If that happens, I wonder what the moon landing deniers will do? Change their views, or admit that China went to the moon first?
What do you think is the most complex thing here, genuinely? Masten Space's Xombie first flew in 2009 and has done 227 launches and landings. These are of course small rockets with modest performance. So maybe the hard part is the scale or the mass optimization to a real orbital rocket's first stage. Again, not saying it's easy, just trying to get insightful comments on what are the hard parts more specifically.
Consistent and sufficient funding that won't evaporate when you inevitably fail the first few times. Investors and political officials get a bit upset when the billion dollar prototype they funded crashes and burns two or three times in a row. But that's kind of what it takes.
It's cool to see recoverable rocket tech continue to advance
This is the most highly optimised and successfull rocket validation test ever.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/02/china-showcases-new-mo...
Others have failed to do this much over decades and massivly higher costs.
It amazes me to witness where China was scientifically and technically in 70's and 80's and where it is now.
Investing in STEM education and research paid great dividends.