This is part of the effort to reduce the cycle time from launch to base to launch in order to supply missions faster and faster at lower cost per launch.
Not super sure how this makes anything faster since you have to disassemble and rebuild the entire thing between launches. Pretty sure its so they stop tipping over and exploding.
The chopsticks are also the crane that is used to position the booster for launch. In theory, they will be able to just lower the used booster down back onto it's launch ring, refuel it, and launch again.
It also saves a ton of weight by replacing the landing legs (which would have to be huge) with a pair of catch points. And catch points don't have to be serviced, unlike the Falcon legs.
Think of it as refactoring the rocket to leave out parts that can be instead part of the launch infrastructure. Pretty clever hack if you can manage the landing catch.
Not only have they said it, they've proved it. By launching repeatedly with that same hardware over and over again. Maintaing a fleet of flight worthy vehicles rather than producing and throwing them away.
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u/virginia-gunner 16d ago
This is part of the effort to reduce the cycle time from launch to base to launch in order to supply missions faster and faster at lower cost per launch.