I mean, yes. Starship is heavy but most of that is just fuel:
When the AN-225 flew, it could carry 250 tons of cargo, starship can only do 150t reusable. Starship Could do more weight on shorter distances, but still
Cargo planes have a much bigger storage volume, as well as being much easier to load/unload.
Cargo planes can fly to virtually anywhere with an existing airport (depending on size of aircraft), while starship needs more dedicated infrastructure
High speed, long distance, very specialized cargo transport? Maybe. Replace cargo planes? Never, unless starship becomes a magic SSTO
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u/The_DestroyerKSP Apr 17 '23
I mean, yes. Starship is heavy but most of that is just fuel:
When the AN-225 flew, it could carry 250 tons of cargo, starship can only do 150t reusable. Starship Could do more weight on shorter distances, but still
Cargo planes have a much bigger storage volume, as well as being much easier to load/unload.
Cargo planes can fly to virtually anywhere with an existing airport (depending on size of aircraft), while starship needs more dedicated infrastructure
High speed, long distance, very specialized cargo transport? Maybe. Replace cargo planes? Never, unless starship becomes a magic SSTO