08-24-2017, 05:24 PM
cbelt3 wrote:
So the launch fees are lower with used engines ? LOL !
They prefer the term "Flight Proven"... and yes, Flight-Proven boosters are 20% less expensive than when you order a "brand new, never flown" one. Building a new one costs money, and amortizing the already built ones over multiple flights is cheaper.
SpaceX has already proven the engines for as many as ONE HUNDRED full duration burns... so the engines are not an issue. The Merlin engines are pretty phenomenal.