Propulsion thrust vs high winds?

Question

While I do understand that high wind speed is a risk for space launches (and all air flights), still, is it a physical constraint or a computational problem given we are not dealing with a hurricane/tornado?

I mean, the thrust of Starship engines should be enough to be able to (auto-)correct the course also under heavy wind?

(question inspired by the recent Starhip SN9 delay)

Note that the Flight Termination System on Starship is not yet integrated into the vehicle. It is a strap-on part that gets attached to the outside of the vehicle and needs to be manually armed and safed. Also, I believe the body flaps are currently still tied down and need to be released. Both of these require a person to go up on a cherry picker (well over 50m in the case of the nose body flaps!) which have their own wind limits, which are probably lower than what Starship can handle. Also, it's a test campaign, so they don't even know the wind limits yet. — Jörg W Mittag, Jan 27 '21 at 09:00
Are you asking about actual orbital launches or these test hops? There are several questions and answers on the site already about the effects of wind on orbital launches. — Organic Marble, Jan 27 '21 at 13:16
I didn't know that possible course correction is not yet part of the test. — J. Doe, Jan 27 '21 at 13:45
some rockets are flying noodles and though they can withstand incredible axial forces are pretty sensitive to sideways forces that can result from a difference in wind pressure along their length inducing sudden small changes in attitude perhaps. Why does the CRS-8 Falcon 9 rocket appear to be swaying before launch? and If not constrained by underpasses, etc., would Falcon 9 have been less of a flying noodle? See also this answer — uhoh, Jan 27 '21 at 20:48

Propulsion thrust vs high winds?

0 Answers0