Comment by ragebol

6 days ago

T-0 keeps getting pushed back. Nice for them to have this ability technically. Not all rockets can do this AFAIK, at least not as often as I've seen today.

Anyone know how often can do this, or what the technical limit it for this (so besides orbit insertion & other trajectory stuff or for reasons of running out the range flight restrictions etc)

Outside of those mission requirements you mentioned there are also some limitations in any cryo cooled liquids onboard.

Either the pressure increases internally, liquid off-gases and needs to be refilled (where there is a finite amount left to use), or risk of components freezing up can all play a factor into how long a rocket can stand on the pad for. As a result it’s less a question of how often can they delay the launch and more a question of how long can the rocket stay out on the pad for you to delay into.

Likely a heep of other reasons as well.

  • Ah, thought of boil-off already which can of course be replenished. But indeed the tank when that comes from can run out as well of course.