Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

If I had to be launched into space, I would prefer to take my chances with a rocket ship that blew up lots of times in testing until it didn't anymore, vs. a boondoggle mega rocket with a bunch of paperwork.


> “..blew up lots of times in testing until it didn’t anymore”

Yeah, Starship hasn’t stopped blowing up. What it has flown successfully is a small atmospheric hop, with a pretty pared down version. The first stage hasn’t even successfully static fired yet. And yet, everyone is falling over themselves to say various versions of “SLS is obsolete because starship”. SpaceX has a great track record in developing Falcon 9, its reusability, and Dragon. But Starship is order of magnitude more complicated, optimistically it will not fly for several years.


SLS has been obsolete since its creating by the Senat in 2011. It never made sense and it was never needed. Its purely political.

I remember in 2017 when people said Falcon Heavy is not real, SLS is and all this bullshit.

SLS has no logical justification, even if either Falcon Heavy nor Starship existed. It just doesn't make sense if you actually think threw the problem.

NASA knew this, and didn't want (outside of Johnson) but were forced to do it.

> But Starship is order of magnitude more complicated, optimistically it will not fly for several years.

That quite the claim.

I would bet you 10k$ that Starship will reach orbit 5 times before SLS reaches Orbit twice? Interested?




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: