My guess would be using Tower 2 for both catches. It will take multiple orbits for the ship to pass over the launch site again, so that gives them several hours to safe the booster and transfer it to a stand. If they encounter any issues with the booster, they’d probably still have backup options for ship splashdown in the ocean.
Not sure exactly what the status of the Pad 1 chopstick upgrades are (or what the status would be in a few weeks), but as the flame trench is still under construction, it seems as though Pad 1 will be an active construction for the foreseeable future.
I remember everyone freaking about only having one tower before the first booster catch attempts. Seeing the refit and new construction timelines really validates that fear, but I guess it’s their MO to go for it.
Double catch on the same launch tower? Like, booster catch, move it to a stand, then ship catch? Or using the original tower for one?
My guess would be using Tower 2 for both catches. It will take multiple orbits for the ship to pass over the launch site again, so that gives them several hours to safe the booster and transfer it to a stand. If they encounter any issues with the booster, they’d probably still have backup options for ship splashdown in the ocean.
Not sure exactly what the status of the Pad 1 chopstick upgrades are (or what the status would be in a few weeks), but as the flame trench is still under construction, it seems as though Pad 1 will be an active construction for the foreseeable future.
I remember everyone freaking about only having one tower before the first booster catch attempts. Seeing the refit and new construction timelines really validates that fear, but I guess it’s their MO to go for it.
I suppose “going for it” might cause a delay if they break the chopsticks, but waiting for a second pair of chopsticks to be ready will cause a delay.
Oh for sure, they just have a much higher risk tolerance than me. They finally just got the first Starlink launch up! And the ship had an engine out!