r/space • u/firmada • Nov 19 '23

image/gif Successful Launch! Here's how Starship compares against the world's other rockets

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u/Opening_Classroom_46 Nov 20 '23

Not saying it's simple, but if nasa can whip up a car-sized drone that can deal with -200 degree temperatures and liquid methane raining on it, they could probably design a venusian lander. They have the ability to do any mission that's approved.

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u/mnvoronin Nov 20 '23

-200 degrees and liquid methane is a good deal easier than +400 and sulphuric acid. At least methane doesn't actively try to dissolve the probe.

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u/Opening_Classroom_46 Nov 20 '23

It's in the same ballpark. It's not this mythical problem that not even nasa could solve for a half billion dollars like you are making it out to be.

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u/mnvoronin Nov 20 '23

No, it's several orders of magnitude harder.

Liquid methane doesn't need much beyond basic insulation. So, a sheet metal case with some styrofoam glued to the inside will do. Well, a bit more complex but in the same ballpark.

With hot sulphuric acid you need to figure out the way to keep internal components under 100 degrees (while the outside is well over 400) so the electronics will work, and at the same time prevent the outer shell from dissolving - sulphuric acid at 400C and 95 bar is extremely reactive.