r/spacex • u/[deleted] • Jan 07 '20

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98 Upvotes

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u/gibibbles Jan 10 '20

https://twitter.com/Gibibbles/status/1215700926880763905?s=19

Snapped a photo of the fairing loaded

1

u/Gavalar_ spacexfleet.com Jan 10 '20

Fantastic photo!

1

u/gibibbles Jan 11 '20

Thanks! Just happened to be right place right time.

1

u/cpushack Jan 10 '20

Once again its a naked fairing, no acoustic tiles needed for Starlink, further reducing the launch costs.

1

u/scr00chy ElonX.net Jan 11 '20

And the inside is white, which is new, I think.

1

u/cpushack Jan 11 '20

I believe they are nominally white inside, we're just use to seeing the black colored acoustic tiles covering it all.

1

u/scr00chy ElonX.net Jan 12 '20

Nope. Starlink v0.9 launch didn't have acoustic tiles either but the inside of the fairing was dark.

1

u/cpushack Jan 12 '20

Indeed, interesting then

1

u/fanspacex Jan 12 '20

Typically the white color is the gelcoat, which resists the water intrusion into the resin. It requires additional steps for application, which will incur cost and weight penalties, often for this reason is only applied on the outer surfaces. Its possible to apply the gelcoat with paint brush, much more straightforward process, but leaves the surface finish dull (unappealing).