Problems with Raptor Production at SpaceX
 

According to a recent article at Space Explored, an internal memo from Elon to SpaceX employees at Hawthorne has surfaced indicating problems with Raptor engine production is so bad that it may actually cause SpaceX to declare bankruptcy if it cannot be corrected. Apparently the financial stability of SpaceX hinges on being able to obtain a launch cadence of once every two weeks to loft StarLink V2 satellites into orbit. Falcon 9 is unable to perform this mission, only Starship.

Read the full article at https://spaceexplored.com/2021/11/2...-raptor-crisis/

Reading near the end of the article, they seem to think bankruptcy is unlikely, but a scaling back of unprofitable ventures is likely if they can't meet the twice monthly Starship schedule. Falcon-9 missions and the development of a lunar lander are not likely to be affected.

Thanks for posting the article link; interesting stuff.

I have to think too that some of that "...and we might go bankrupt" stuff is, at least a bit, of management 'scare talk' to the troops. "Hey, if you guys don't shape up and work out these problems you all are gonna loose your jobs!" kind of thing. And issuing that right at Thanksgiving time, too. Oh, and the big boss saying "And I'm canceling my weekend off to be at work around the clock". How many are going to go ahead with holiday plans or vacation when Musk says that?

Not saying that everything in the memo is a bunch of crapola but some of the comments seem a bit over the top and maybe a little more dire than really, really needed.

Earl

I also think that there is no way they would bet the whole farm on twice a month launches in such a short time frame considering the heat tiles that NASA worked on for decades and never really solved, and their new designs are still popping off the Starship. They must have a contingency plan of some sort, even if it's counting on the govt to bail them out like GM. :rolleyes:

The Raptor is already showing decent progress with the test hops, so I wonder if it is more of a production efficiency issue they are dealing with.

I cancel my vacation or weekend plans for NOTHING other than a physical health emergency.

Most people don’t work for bloated corporations in the automobile, pharma, and big tech that can feed off the government teat when times get tough.