SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

In short, they will be launching 1200 pounds of supplies, remotely doing a bunch of maneuvers designed to prove to NASA that they can get around safely in space, and if those go OK, docking with the ISS.

This is so much cooler than a facebook IPO, I must say -- commercial US robot rocket ISS reloading. Come on!!

Re: SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

#6

Post by Nogwater » Fri, May 18, 2012, 2:31 PM UTC

Keep in mind, this is still just a test. If they get off the pad without exploding that's awesome, getting to orbit is super awesome, and actually reaching the ISS is simply amazing.

Re: SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

#7

Post by cryptoz » Fri, May 18, 2012, 2:32 PM UTC

I can't wait! SpaceX is the most amazing company right now. They're work is the exact opposite of the trivial-to-start social networking apps, the tedium of online advertising.

They want to send people to Mars. And they're launching to the ISS tomorrow, the most expensive object ever built by humanity. They have the world's trust. They have the world's best engineers. And they have some intense ambition and lots of money. So awesome.

I had a phone interview for a software position there just a few days ago (didn't get it) and it was the most thrilling experience I'd had, like, ever. I have to work hard and study more so I can try again in a couple months.

Best of luck SpaceX.

Re: SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

#8

Post by mikeash » Fri, May 18, 2012, 2:37 PM UTC

I'm impressed that NASA is allowing this. Can you imagine what it would be like to be the guy who has to sign off on that decision? Even if you have every confidence, imagining what would happen if things went wrong?

Re: SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

#9

Post by nutmeg » Fri, May 18, 2012, 2:41 PM UTC

TeMPOraL wrote: post #4

I hope it will be featured live on NASA TV.

NASA's site says launch coverage will begin at 3:30am (http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/cots_tv_sch...)

Re: SpaceX headed to the ISS tomorrow

#10

Post by arethuza » Fri, May 18, 2012, 2:42 PM UTC

cryptoz wrote: post #7

I can't wait! SpaceX is the most amazing company right now. They're work is the exact opposite of the trivial-to-start social networking apps, the tedium of online advertising. They want to send people to Mars . And they're launching to the ISS tomorrow, the most expensive object ever built by humanity. They have the world's trust. They have the world's best engineers. And they have some intense ambition and lots of…

"They want to send people to Mars"

I was actually thinking the other day about the people alive today who might be household names in 500 years - if Elon Musk achieves his goals for reaching Mars then his is probably the only name on that list.