Space-X to the ISS?
2011-08-17 19:23:33.039925+02 by Dan Lyke 4 comments
Fuck the Space Shuttle: Space-X plans November 30th flight to the ISS.
(Thanks, Larry)
2011-08-17 19:23:33.039925+02 by Dan Lyke 4 comments
Fuck the Space Shuttle: Space-X plans November 30th flight to the ISS.
(Thanks, Larry)
[ related topics: Aviation Space & Astronomy ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2011-08-18 19:59:43.845083+02 by: andylyke
Neat. But can it deliver a school bus (or equivalent) to the ISS?
It seems to me that the existing shuttles were al built by private contractors, with coordination by NASA. Space X is now ready to deliver a Mercury capsule to low orbit. Think Yuri Gagarin. Shouldn't we be building on what we ha[ve|d]?
#Comment Re: made: 2011-08-18 20:46:26.9989+02 by: Dan Lyke
I think the problem was that, aside from Ms. Frizzle's vehicle that can presumably get there itself, the need for a school bus in low earth orbit is minimal. The shuttle was an expensive way to get big heavy payloads into space, an SUV where we really need a small commuter car or a bicycle for a few decades 'til we can learn a bit more about how to get off this rock.
And the resources it sucked out of NASA meant that the far more interesting missions got pushed to the wayside.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-08-18 23:23:55.170627+02 by: Larry Burton
Space-X has given NASA a quote of $133 Million to deliver a fully loaded Dragon X capsule to the ISS. NASA's cost to launch the Space Shuttle was $450 Million. Space-X has stated if there are cost overruns Space-X will eat them.
Here's some interesting reading from the Space-X site.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-08-20 01:41:39.601097+02 by: TheSHAD0W
Yup. Schoolbusses can still be lofted via big dumb rockets and then serviced by smaller vehicles.