> they're holding off on going fully orbital until the Ship engines are relatively stable
They’re still re-flying Block 2 boosters. Hence intentionally leaving off heat tiles (and re-flying engines). Burning for orbit wouldn’t make sense on an, essentially, already-obsolete vehicle.
Block 3 launches on Flight 12. (It also validates a new pad.) Once that is debugged, SpaceX would be ready for an orbital attempt.
The crazy thing is right after orbital they go for propellant transfer. This is something our species has never done, and it’s ridiculously capability enabling if we can get it even within an order of magnitude of cost expectations.
They’re still re-flying Block 2 boosters. Hence intentionally leaving off heat tiles (and re-flying engines). Burning for orbit wouldn’t make sense on an, essentially, already-obsolete vehicle.
Block 3 launches on Flight 12. (It also validates a new pad.) Once that is debugged, SpaceX would be ready for an orbital attempt.
The crazy thing is right after orbital they go for propellant transfer. This is something our species has never done, and it’s ridiculously capability enabling if we can get it even within an order of magnitude of cost expectations.