SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
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Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#2This is quite simply amazing news. The implications are astounding, beyond the mere selfish prospect of one day travelling to space as a tourist.
Considering a loose estimate on the value of the asteroid belt is like $5(10^20), it could literally be a new gold rush. It would be awesome (to the true definition of the word) if one day our manufactured goods are being landed from space rather than shipped across the ocean.
Beyond that, I envy my offspring that could one day live in space as if it were mundane.
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#3Congrats to them. The FAA seems to be doing a good job not getting in the way of space travel.
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#4I firmly believe that SpaceX is the best chance humanity currently has at achieving space travel for the general population. They are one of the few companies I can get honestly excited about these days.
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#5This is quite simply amazing news. The implications are astounding, beyond the mere selfish prospect of one day travelling to space as a tourist. Considering a loose estimate on the value of the asteroid belt is like $5(10^20), it could literally be a new gold rush. It would be awesome (to the true definition of the word) if one day our manufactured goods are being landed from space rather than shipped across the oce…
Brings new meaning to carbon footprint?
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#6Why does a company need a licence from the FAA to perform re-entry? The FAA doesn't regulate all of the earth's outer atmosphere, right?
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#7Why does a company need a licence from the FAA to perform re-entry? The FAA doesn't regulate all of the earth's outer atmosphere, right?
The FAA regulates non-governmental manned spaceflight.
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#8Why does a company need a licence from the FAA to perform re-entry? The FAA doesn't regulate all of the earth's outer atmosphere, right?
No, but they regulate the part where a chunk of white-hot metal and composite plummets into an area of the sky they're responsible for. That extends well beyond U.S. territorial airspace--by international agreements, much international airspace has been assigned to various nations to control. If SpaceX were to conduct their entire reentry out in the middle of the pacific in completely uncontrolled areas then they probably wouldn't need a license, but recovering the capsule would be a whole lot harder.
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#9This is quite simply amazing news. The implications are astounding, beyond the mere selfish prospect of one day travelling to space as a tourist. Considering a loose estimate on the value of the asteroid belt is like $5(10^20), it could literally be a new gold rush. It would be awesome (to the true definition of the word) if one day our manufactured goods are being landed from space rather than shipped across the oce…
Brings new meaning to carbon footprint?
One thing that I have learned in the past is that large problems can often be completely absolved simply by growing beyond them. As an example, during the industrial revolution, cities were covered in soot. They were a mess. But we plowed ahead instead of saying "gee, we should stick with current technology and stop expanding until we fix the soot", and look where we are now. Today's power makes 1800's power look like a pigsty, purely as a side effect of our growth & development.
What I mean to say is, if past experiences are any indicator, supposing we push on into space, carbon footprints will probably become a concern of the past- most likely due to some development we couldn't possibly have foreseen from our current vantage point. (what 1800's coal plant worker could have foreseen nuclear reactors?)
Re: SpaceX receives first-ever FAA license for commercial reentry
#10Why does a company need a licence from the FAA to perform re-entry? The FAA doesn't regulate all of the earth's outer atmosphere, right?
You think every country is going to apply for an american license to send their tourists in space?
It rather sounds like a joke. Like a license to drink.