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Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

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Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, that flight. It is a purchased flight. My understanding is that while they can throw the word "commander" and "pilot" around, that this will be a purely automated/ground-controlled exercise.

Indeed, even though that has not been that different on the crew rotation flights to ISS. Doug Hurley (iirc - might have been Bob Behnken instead?) got to fly Crew Dragon manually during the first crewed mission "Demo 2" but the spacecraft is meant to bring people where they should be all by itself (and with help from ground control).

The ISS is a special case. That requires a pilot who can take manual control should the docking system go wrong. A stuck jet on approach could shatter the station and so you need someone who can take over and make very fast avoidance decisions. The recent incident with a docked module was a huge reminder of those dangers.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#22
When was the last time a crew that orbited earth were all first timers?

I think all of the SpaceX launches so far have been almost all experienced people who have ridden on the shuttle or soyuz. I remember being amazed that we had such a deep pool of experienced astronauts.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#23
post #20
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure he cares to be honest. Why would he? His goal is to have humans populating the universe, strapping himself to a rocket for an ego trip would be a rather pointless risk. I'd say the fact that his company has absolutely destroyed both competitors to date wins any dick waving contest around "but I personally went to space first". I'm not even an Elon fan, and I think he's got a million character flaws, but…

He might care because he wants to go to Mars and so presumably it's totally reasonable to assume he might have the opportunity to go to space more than once. He might want to do a 3 day tour of the Earth as the beginning of that. He might just because he's the kind of guy who pretty much makes loads of his decision 'because he can'. Plaid? Model's S 3 X Y (sexy)? acceleration speeds that are almost unsafe for normal…

You can argue that turning down a 3 day trip orbiting the Earth is also outside the norm!

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#24
post #4

I have a bet with a friend that James Cameron will be one of the first private citizens to go to the moon, and that he will bring an IMAX camera to fund the trip.

Sounds plausible. Musk’s target price is essentially a rounding error compared to the budgets of Gravity or The Martian.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#25
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlike Blue Origin or Virgin Atlantic SpaceX is not an amusement ride. He doesn't need to prove anything, because he isn't looking for passengers that would pay $250k for a 10 minute ride.

No, but at 200 million for 3 days (1440 minutes) it is still $139000/minute, or almost $1.4 million for 10 minutes.

The difference is that this is a test before actual mission, similarly why there's plan to go to the Moon before going to Mars.

People there are not paying for the attraction and they are also aware with associated risks.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#26
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlike Blue Origin or Virgin Atlantic SpaceX is not an amusement ride. He doesn't need to prove anything, because he isn't looking for passengers that would pay $250k for a 10 minute ride.

No, but at 200 million for 3 days (1440 minutes) it is still $139000/minute, or almost $1.4 million for 10 minutes.

The millions are for the opportunity to say you were first. Musk’s target price is getting to Mars for what Virgin Galactic is listing for suborbital.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#27

The recent interview of Elon by Tim Dodd is probably more informative and interesting this this could ever be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t705r8ICkRw

Came here to post that video. Awesome!

My favorite part:

Elon's 5-Step Design/Development Process:

(1) Fix "Dumb" Requirements

(2) Remove Unnecessary Parts/Processes

(3) Simplify/Optimize

(4) Speed Up Cycle Time

(5) Automate

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#28
post #11

What I've been surprised about is that Elon isn't going on either this mission or just one of his own seeing as SpaceX could presumably have two commercial flights. Given the 'length comparison games' that Branson and Bezos have been up to with their 'near space' escapades it's a massive F U for Elon to do a trip like this which will actually be one of the furthest distances humans have gone from Earth since the moon…

I think the explanation is simple. Musk is a notorious workaholic and does not want to leave Boca Chica at this stage of Starship development. The activity at Starbase is frantic right now and will likely be frantic for some months to come.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#29
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlike Blue Origin or Virgin Atlantic SpaceX is not an amusement ride. He doesn't need to prove anything, because he isn't looking for passengers that would pay $250k for a 10 minute ride.

No, but at 200 million for 3 days (1440 minutes) it is still $139000/minute, or almost $1.4 million for 10 minutes.

You are off by a factor of 3... it is $46k a minute, there are 4320 minutes in 3 days.

Re: Netflix announces Space X documentary on civilian mission into orbit

#30
post #27

The recent interview of Elon by Tim Dodd is probably more informative and interesting this this could ever be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t705r8ICkRw

Came here to post that video. Awesome! My favorite part: Elon's 5-Step Design/Development Process: (1) Fix "Dumb" Requirements (2) Remove Unnecessary Parts/Processes (3) Simplify/Optimize (4) Speed Up Cycle Time (5) Automate

Two things I took from that interview:

* the quip about people spending a lot of time to optimize something unnecessary,

* the quip that you must be wary about recommendations made by smart people, because you will tend to trust smart people too much and they can still make mistakes.

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