Blue Origin's rocket reuse achievement marred by upper stage failure(arstechnica.com)
33 pointsby rbanffy3 hours ago4 comments
  • eagerpace27 minutes ago
    I know insurance for a launch is typical, but seems really tough to do that for this still “rather experimental” launch. I got to imagine it has costs something like 50% on a project like this.
  • WalterBright24 minutes ago
    Once Elon showed how to do it, and how cost-efficient it was, a rocket company that doesn't do it is not viable.
    • testing2232115 minutes ago
      Spacex first landed an orbital booster just over 10 years ago and have now landed 600 times.

      The entire rest of the world combined has done it twice.

      For a long time people would scoff when it was said they had a 10 year lead, and that others would catch up quickly. Proof meets pudding.

      • gamblor9564 minutes ago
        FTA: "SpaceX suffered upper stage failures on three test flights of the massive Starship rocket last year. "

        SpaceX has also had numerous failures with the larger generation of second stages and currently doesn't have a lead there. Nobody does.

  • staplung36 minutes ago
    The failure of the upper stage is a bummer. If it triggers a months-long review, that will almost certainly bump back the schedule for the prototype Blue Moon lander launch.