Awesome 3D render of the "Can Crusher" test rig at Boca Chica

[glhs837]

So, how do you test your giant stainless steel rocket against the crushing force applied by 33 half million lbs of thrust each rocket motors pushing your upper stage through the tick atmosphere at "Max Q". You can analyze and have pretty good data, but then you need to test real world to validate that analysis. You will do flight test, but 33 engines on the first stage, and six on the second stage adds up to a lot of motors only to lose them at Max Q. So you build a crusher that not only pulls down from the top to simulate building aero forces, you hit the bottom with massive hydraulic rams right where the engines would be. This guy is amazing at modeling every part we see roll in, and with the help of the community, figuring out how they work together.

 

[Sneakers]

Turn everything upside down and thrust against the Earth. Eventually, after enough runs, the orbit of the Earth will change into a larger orbit and take care of the global climate change issue.

 

[Gilligan]

Turn everything upside down and thrust against the Earth. Eventually, after enough runs, the orbit of the Earth will change into a larger orbit and take care of the global climate change issue.