Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultramaroon
I think you may not know just how paper-thin those shells are. They are designed to react against specific loads.
|
They are about as thin or slightly thicker than an aircraft like a 747. There is an internal structure to them, also like an aircraft, except the SpaceX rockets used carbon fiber and now stainless steel instead of aluminum. I think they are 4mm or just over 1/8'', which is actually pretty thick, especially with the supporting structures. Considering a 747 is propped on its side with a third of the tail suspended over the rear wheels, I feel like a properly designed net could catch a parachuting Starship. If a human can be slowed and caught by a net at terminal velocity then a parachuting Starship should be fine too.
747
SpaceX
