Launching at only half payload capacity is disappointing. Starlink is severely capacity constrained, SpaceX needs to get as many v3 sats as they can into orbit, instead of flying partial loads.

▲

testing22321 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They are testing, learning and evolving the program, and they’re doing it in public so we’re lucky enough to get some inside tech details.

It continues to improve. Be patient.

▲

tristanj 2 hours ago | parent [-]

I'm completely aware. But this is the third flight in a row with a half payload. If this trend continues, it's not a good sign for Starship block 3's performance capabilities.

	▲	testing22321 4 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		“If this trend continues” about Falcon 1. About Falcon 9 landings, about Falcon 9 reuse, about starlink capacity, about starship launching at all, about the heat shield, about the catch, about the towers, about drone ship landings……. That has been the narrative about every single step spacex has ever taken. And you know what the trend is? They are kicking fucking ass. Annihilating old space and the writing the game one incremental win at a time. Yes, the trend is incredibly good.

▲

randallsquared 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

If Starship succeeds, that will be about half an hour's worth of launch capacity in the early 30s.

	▲	tristanj 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'm fully aware. But Starlink is blocked by today's Starship launch cadence and payload capacity. Pointing out Starship could handle this payload 5 years in the future isn't helpful. All of Starlink's future ambitions are blocked by today's Starship.