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SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

nasa.gov

461–470 of 839 posts

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#461
post #39

It's absolutely incredible to see this. So much work to get us here. So much work just to organize this launch event. Seeing astronauts getting dropped off in one of the most technologically advanced automobiles on Earth and walk into the capsule sitting on top of a rocket which is the Pinnacle of humanity's biggest advancements in technology and space is astounding and goosebumps-enducing. What a time to be alive!

I dont get it, wasnt this already accomplished? Whats the big deal ? The space station already exists, astronauts have gone there before.

Because it's the first time in a decade the US has done it, and done it in a way that is significantly less expensive, paving the way for much easier access. It's a minor historical event in terms of human achievement since, as you said, we've done it before. But it's a major economical event in the history of space exploration, and historic for the potential that represents.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#462

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Won't they just recreate Earth's social structures on the Moon? Possibly with divergence over time but why would they suddenly abandon racism and nationalism?

I would assume/hope the fact there are only a very small number of you living on an inhospitable rock would bond people together in the effort needed to survive.

They will of course invent a new racism, off-Worlders. But I'll take that as a slight improvement to our current situation anyways.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#463

Anyone else feel that some parts were kind of tacky? I tuned in a few hours before the launch, and I happened to watch the astronauts get loaded into a branded Tesla car, and the announcers were gushing about how cool the side doors were. I couldn't shake the feeling that half the stream was just marketing for marketing for Elon's companies.

Broadcasters will say anything to avoid dead air. Just mute the stream until about a minute before the launch; you'll be a lot happier.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#464

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know much about the intricacies of asteroid mining, but human beings are very capable entities. As great as machines like the Mars rovers are, there's no comparison. A human astronaut could probably accomplish as much in a week as a Mars rover can in a year. When I was reading the daily diaries of one of the rover drivers, it was incredible how much effort and thought went into the most trivial activities. A…

Do you have a link to said "daily diaries?" They sound fascinating, but this is the first I've heard of them.

https://marsandme.blogspot.com/ is Scott Maxwells blog about driving Spirit + Opportunity

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#465

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a fair point. Hell, I'd argue that half the interest in spaceflight (except those of people seeing it all through the lens of an Excel sheet) is because of the idea of sending people up there. That alone makes an occasional manned mission worth it, just to keep the general interest alive.

It is not the 1910s any more. We don’t risk other peoples lives on exploration. Heroic though it might seem, it is ultimately foolish. We are already exploring the solar system with machines. And there is no reason to risk the explorers life for a more limited and more expensive ways to explore.

A machine can not tell us how it felt to be there, and write a poem about it.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#466

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In a way I think landing the boosters is harder, and certainly was more of a first-time thing when SpaceX did it. I was bummed that the cameras cut out for the booster landing on this mission.

The droneship landings always cut out. The rocket interferes with the radio link transmitting the video feed.

At this point I was expecting the drone to simply retry to transmit the video a few seconds or minutes later.

I guess we just don't have the technology.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#467
post #443

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess people find it vulgar. Space should be for noble missions in the service of all mankind.

Because the tax payer has paid for nearly all of this and the goal was certainly not for some billionaire couple to get into the hundred mile high club.

Yes, the goal was for everybody to get into the club. Billionaires wold just get there faster, for a fee. Similarly like it happened with aviation. Sergey Korolev was pretty comfortable with the idea.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#468

Earlier quoted context omitted.

factory of rockets Rocket factories existed over 50 years ago. But they were making ICBMs.[1] The big change is that it's now possible to make money launching. [1] https://youtu.be/Pqw9YOOOuKk

Rockets were being made long before 50 years ago. There were plenty of rockets in WWI. And there were smaller rockets going back to before the US war of independence (ie "the rocket's red glare" ). If we are talking big metal things that fly into space being produced on an assembly line, then those operating in Germany during late WWII making the V2s (75years ago) were probably the first rocket factories. But I'm not…

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was written during the War of 1812, not the War of Independence.

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#469
post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

- International travel (anywhere in the world in less than two hours) could be one of those things. - Asteroid mining

>in less than two hours plus or minus 48, depending on the clouds today.

Should be really big clouds to surpass something which was doable for Buran (wind 9-12 m/s http://buran.ru/htm/flight.htm ) .

Re: SpaceX successfully launches two humans into orbit

#470
post #449
post #339

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tom Cruise and presumably at least one camera person for a movie on the ISS

He just wants to go to space and get a tax deduction by counting it as a business expense.

Of course, his taxes are already earmarked for Scientology.
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