Wacky space post

12:50 PM

Speculation alert: Here's another idea. With respect to re-entry, I am wondering if it possible to repel a heated plasma with a magnetic field. This would keep the plasma away from the spacecraft, and keep it cooler. It would depend upon the power of the magnetic force within the spacecraft, and the amount of plasma ( if any) created as the spacecraft heats up on re-entry. The heated plasma would have a magnetic field, presumably positive, so a magnetic field, properly oriented, would repel it.

Indeed, since the Starship is made of stainless steel, it may be possible to magnetize it. It wouldn't add any mass to the spacecraft.



end update of 8:14 AM , 4/29/24 post



Speculation alert. Here I am, talking out my ass again. That seems to be what I do best.

Anyhoo, I got an idea that I'm sure that nobody will dream of doing, because it is too simple, and makes too much sense.

With respect to the lunar lander for Artemis, I would suggest that SpaceX would just forget about landing the Starship on the Moon, or at least not for now.

Instead, here's an alternative:

Use the second stage Falcon 9, and the Dragon capsule, with an extra extended compartment for fuel, to land on the Moon. SpaceX could use the maxxed out version that could put 200 tons into low Earth Orbit. Now, looking into the Apollo Era, the masses for that equipment could be launched with the SuperHeavy booster all in one launch. The second stage Falcon 9, and the souped up Dragon could mass out at less than that. It could return to Earth on its own, or just land and return to the Gateway, as per current flight specs. I'm guessing the required delta-v available in such a configuration would be adequate for the mission.

I haven't really run the numbers on any of this, so it really is a speculation supremo.

If that profile turns out to be feasible, then go for it. A return to the Moon could be feasible. You already have flight proven equipment, except for the SuperHeavy, and that could be developed along side the rest of the needed equipment. It could be done faster than what the current plan is going for, I bet.

If you want to land cargo on the moon, just send the Dragon without any return fuel, and unmanned. A cargo mission could be paired with a manned mission.

So much for this idea. I'm sure nobody will want to do this because it is too sensible. Just for the record, I don't really like the Starship being used for a lunar lander. At the very least, it should be modified in order to simplify the mission. Think the KISS method. Too many launches complicates this beyond reason.