Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
1–10 of 41 posts
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#2First, we should accelerate building better robots to do the work of humans, then send thousands throughout the solar system. This will be cheaper and faster than manned space flight...
Anyway, I went through this a few years ago on HN after the Virgin Galactic accident. People argued that it was only a minor setback. Any setback that involves humans costs a lot of money and time.
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#3Can you really get to the moon with just $90M? My impression is that SpaceX is just about the cheapest launch provider currently available, and they charge something like $50-60M to get to orbit. And then you need to do all the tech required to land on the lunar surface as well.
Do they anticipate getting additional funding or decreasing costs?
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#4Can you really get to the moon with just $90M? My impression is that SpaceX is just about the cheapest launch provider currently available, and they charge something like $50-60M to get to orbit. And then you need to do all the tech required to land on the lunar surface as well. Do they anticipate getting additional funding or decreasing costs?
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#5First, we should accelerate building better robots to do the work of humans, then send thousands throughout the solar system. This will be cheaper and faster than manned space flight... Anyway, I went through this a few years ago on HN after the Virgin Galactic accident. People argued that it was only a minor setback. Any setback that involves humans costs a lot of money and time.
Such a simple and elegant solution. We could also upload our minds into said robots remotely.
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#6First, we should accelerate building better robots to do the work of humans, then send thousands throughout the solar system. This will be cheaper and faster than manned space flight... Anyway, I went through this a few years ago on HN after the Virgin Galactic accident. People argued that it was only a minor setback. Any setback that involves humans costs a lot of money and time.
Such a simple and elegant solution. We could also upload our minds into said robots remotely.
So simple!
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#7Can you really get to the moon with just $90M? My impression is that SpaceX is just about the cheapest launch provider currently available, and they charge something like $50-60M to get to orbit. And then you need to do all the tech required to land on the lunar surface as well. Do they anticipate getting additional funding or decreasing costs?
They're the cheapest (probably) per kilogram; but if you're willing to settle for smaller payloads, you can get to orbit for quite a lot cheaper. For example, the European Vega will get you 2.5T to LEO for under $40M. Half your budget on launch costs isn't bad.
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#8This is just them investing $90M in bitcoin right? To the moon...
Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#9Re: Japanese startup Ispace raises $90M, targets landing on moon surface by 2020
#10Can you really get to the moon with just $90M? My impression is that SpaceX is just about the cheapest launch provider currently available, and they charge something like $50-60M to get to orbit. And then you need to do all the tech required to land on the lunar surface as well. Do they anticipate getting additional funding or decreasing costs?
It costs roughly $4000/lb to LEO, and the rocket equation makes the whole thing pretty unforgiving with current tech.