From: snidely.too@gmail.com   
      
   JF Mezei speculated:   
   > If I am not mistaken, the big raptor engines would be used only to go   
   > from earth to that weird lunar orbit, and actual lunar operations   
   > between "Gateway" and lunar surface (in both directions) more likely to   
   > be those thrusters placed higher up the stack.   
   >   
   >   
   > It is wise to carry those 6 raptors as dead weight between Gateway and   
   > lunar surface?  Do we kow if the actual lunar engines would draw from   
   > the same tanks as the raptors or need dedicated tanks?   
   >   
   > Or is the official plan to use the raptors for much of trip between   
   > Gateway and surface and back ,amd the side thrusters only for operations   
   > within X metres of surface?   
   >   
   > Considering what the stack did at its first launch to the concrete base   
   > and OLM, is it wise to fire Raptors with the Starship "safely" above a   
   > lunar outpost? Without atmosphere to disperse thrust, won't thrust from   
   > those 6 raptors reach way down and potentially obliterate a lunar   
   > outpost below?   
      
   I don't think there's been enough information provided for to be sure,   
   but you can spend some time working out the delta-v required (as a   
   shortcut, you can start with the delta-v the LEM used, even though that   
   was a different orbit, so the altitude delta is probably different),   
   and the amount of mass involved, and make a better guess.  But since   
   Raptors are deeply throttable, and the Starship dry mass is a little   
   larger than the LEM's, and since payloads the mass of the LEM may be   
   involved, I'd expect the Raptors to be used until close to the lunar   
   surface.   
      
   The first landings will probably not involve spraying aluminates in the   
   exhaust to provide a bit of site preparation, and the dozer to dig the   
   flame trench might be on a later flight, but careful location of any   
   permanent presence devices and structures could minimize the danger of   
   liftoff exhaust.   
      
   Note that the National Team's Version 2 lander will also be carrying   
   the motors used to get from earth orbit to lunar orbit.   
      
   /dps   
      
   --   
   As a colleague once told me about an incoming manager,   
   "He does very well in a suck-up, kick-down culture."   
      Bill in Vancouver   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)