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Thread: The thrust of curiosity that leads men to try to go where no one has gone before. (The Space thread)

  1. #641
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    Yeah, kinda doubt explorers do their thing because they wanted a back up just because home might fail?

    Exploration is just adventurous and fun. IMHO, it’s also better to develop new technologies to explore rather than for war...

    Of course we could save all the money on such research and development and use the money to feed the poor..., but you’d probably get better return using the money to feed the designers and builders of these exploration vehicles... of course Mars doesn’t have to be it. Universe offers us endless possibilities...

  2. #642
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    the SLS had a successful test burn, ran for over 8 minutes.
    Ok its a static test, so it wasnt going to hit the pad when landing!!!
    But still good to see it succeed and be one step closer to its launch later this gear.

    Its probably not a great long term proposition, its expensive and that includes reusing left over shuttle parts.
    I think SpaceX is looking good for cheap and reliable.

  3. #643
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    Yes!!!

    (For the successful test and for your analysis...)

  4. #644
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dicknose View Post
    I think SpaceX is looking good for cheap and reliable.
    Different purposes though. NASA is doing the expensive leading in science and exploration, while SpaceX has a commercial goal.

  5. #645
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    SpaceX is being used as part of the Artemis project. They are going to deliver some of the modules to moon/lunar orbit. Quick check - Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship will all be used for different deliveries.

    SpaceX would be capable of doing almost all of the bits that the SLS would do. They are happy to do work for hire for NASA.
    It seems NASA didnt want to put all the risk on SpaceX. And that SLS would be cheap because it used some existing motors. However they are looking like being disposable and that the cost per launch, even excluding development, will be much higher than SpaceX Falcon Heavy/Starship.
    Blue Origin is also doing some launches.

    SLS is meant to also do Mars, but then again so is Starship.
    I guess we wont be doing monthly Mars trips, so reusable is not an issue. But there could be a number of Moon runs with crew and it seems SLS/Orion are turning out to be the expensive option.

  6. #646
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    And added to that Starship is many years away from being viable, whereas SLS is 2-3 years away if they stick to the current timeline.

    But also, Starship is a wild idea that may never even become a useable product.

  7. #647
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    Starship has the potential to put commercial aviation... at least the trans-oceanic flights out of business by going anywhere in the world in like 30 minutes.

    SLS has the advantage of using proven off the shelf stuff. Other than that, there's really not that much advantage. Not like it's going to be cheaper or anything...

    I have nothing but respect for Elon's technical prowess.

  8. #648
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    And NASA has extended the deadline for picking the moon lander, with SpaceX still in the running. This was due in Feb but now will be before end of April.
    SpaceX looks like just doing the lunar orbit to Moon part. Astronauts go up via SLS/Orion then would transfer to the Starship to go to the surface then back. It could then be possible to refuel/restock the Starship and reuse it. So it wouldnt return to Earth. This means it can drop heatshield and some other parts.

    SpaceX is also expected to test the booster, Super Heavy, this year.
    So the whole Starship (super heavy booster and starship 2nd stage), uncrewed, might be ready for test flights next year.

    Damn its hard to discuss when they use "starship" for parts as well as the whole, then "heavy" can be Falcon heavy or Starship super heavy booster. Bring back BFR!

  9. #649
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    Quote Originally Posted by Crazed_Insanity View Post
    Starship has the potential to put commercial aviation... at least the trans-oceanic flights out of business by going anywhere in the world in like 30 minutes.
    I think they are saying an hour between any two points. But that assumes a spaceport at each end.
    And I hate to think of the ticket costs. Could they carry more than 50 people? And launch costs might be millions.
    I think its more of a technically possible rather than economically possible. But Elon has surprised before.

  10. #650
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    How reusable will it be is key. If vehicles have similar initial costs over their lives, then it comes down to fuel cost. His rockets only needs fuel to go up and down, whereas planes need to burn fuel for the entire duration... the faster you go, more fuel you’ll need.

    So Elon’s rockets could potentially be greener too.

    Concords have proven Mach 2 air travel to be not very economically viable, Elon at least is giving us a possibility of going faster and cheaper. Only draw back would be that older rich passengers with heart conditions may not survive the launch?

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