Supply chain asymmetry — Pipeline vs. Truck convoy
Comparison of charging methods for 1 Starship launch (based on 4,500 tons of liquid oxygen)
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Methane (fuel)
Direct connection to natural gas pipeline
1 pipeline connection
Constant
Stable supply, no bottlenecks
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Liquid oxygen (oxidizer)
Specialized cooling plant → Insulated truck transport
Approx. 250 trucks
Approx. 18.1 tons transported per truck
As launch frequency increases, the bottleneck occurs not in the rocket, but in this truck convoy