Hacker News Reader

Starship will use 304L stainless steel due to it's good performance at cryogenic temps. 304L just so happens to be the best kind of stainless steel for salt water exposure.

Not sure if any other steps will need to be taken for greater protection (for the ceramic heat shielding etc).

View on HN

Marine grade is 316L. 304L main advantage is lower cost.

I'd be more concerned about the engines than the hull.

They seem to have managed it with the Falcon 9s.

Engine out redundancy is built in (as with Falcon 9)— hull redundancy typically isn't.

The hull isn't affected that much by being exposed to salty sea air and salt water spray, is what I mean by that.

Engines are more sensitive in that regard (think salt crusts, etc.).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com