11–20 of 25 posts
I 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.
Why 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.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 lik…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 lik…
Humans have a very big problem with paying attention to the bigger picture. Carbon emissions are only relevant if we still need fossil fuels to run our industry. In space, without oxygen we'll be using nuclear or solar as power sources not hydrocarbons.
This 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?
I 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.
Agreed. Them and Virgin Galactic seem like they're the next logical step. I'm especially excited because they have the opportunity to succeed where the supersonic jetliners failed: Imagine if any spot on the globe was within 2 hrs travel time...
Why 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?
Why 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?
I would assume if the re-entry was in US airspace, then you would need FAA approval.
Just try launching/landing a space vehicle without informing air controllers in any country with a functioning government. I'm pretty sure black helicopters would be near you in minutes, and stern-faced guys in battle gear would start yelling questions.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Agreed. Them and Virgin Galactic seem like they're the next logical step. I'm especially excited because they have the opportunity to succeed where the supersonic jetliners failed: Imagine if any spot on the globe was within 2 hrs travel time...
I wonder, though, if the same problems will apply : high per-passenger-mile costs and restricted takeoff/landing sites. Eventually the Concorde overcame the per-passenger-mile costs but they could never evade the takeoff and landing restrictions. If they had flown the LA/NY route it would have been much more successful. I can see any type of space transportation coming across the same issues.
Why 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 pro…
Pedantic, I know, but still oddly intriguing to me. The fact that such a legacy organization like the FAA has to stretch to fit into this business space is interesting to me.