SpaceX SHS Rocket Switching to 304L Steel and Then Custom Alloy

The SpaceX Super Heavy Starship (SHS) will switch from 301 steel alloy to 304L steel alloy for some parts and then a new custom steel alloy.

The 304L steel is a lower carbon version and it will reduce welding issues.

Marcus House indicates that there are a lot of Raptor engines coming through.

The third prototype version of the Starship (SN3) is rapidly being stacked.

Some parts will use 304L, as it has higher toughness at cryo temps. Will move to internally developed alloys probably end of year.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2020

Lot of Raptors coming through! Now operating both horizontal & vertical firing stands in McGregor.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2020

Pretty close. Design is evolving rapidly. Would be great to flatten domes, embed engines & add ~1.5 barrel sections of propellant for same total length. Also, current legs are a bit too small.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2020

SOURCES- Elon Musk Twitter, Marcus House Video
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com

Brian Wang

Brian Wang is a prolific business-oriented writer of emerging and disruptive technologies. He is known for insightful articles that combine business and technical analysis that catches the attention of the general public and is also useful for those in the industries. He is the sole author and writer of nextbigfuture.com, the top online science blog. He is also involved in angel investing and raising funds for breakthrough technology startup companies.

He gave the recent keynote presentation at Monte Jade event with a talk entitled the Future for You.  He gave an annual update on molecular nanotechnology at Singularity University on nanotechnology, gave a TEDX talk on energy, and advises USC ASTE 527 (advanced space projects program). He has been interviewed for radio, professional organizations. podcasts and corporate events. He was recently interviewed by the radio program Steel on Steel on satellites and high altitude balloons that will track all movement in many parts of the USA.

He fundraises for various high impact technology companies and has worked in computer technology, insurance, healthcare and with corporate finance.

He has substantial familiarity with a broad range of breakthrough technologies like age reversal and antiaging, quantum computers, artificial intelligence, ocean tech,  agtech, nuclear fission, advanced nuclear fission, space propulsion, satellites, imaging, molecular nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine, blockchain, crypto and many other areas.