Fun Stuff > CHATTER
Space Stations, Space Shuttles and Beyond - The Aerospace Discussion Thread
GarandMarine:
Regarding SpaceX's decision to abort the launch of one of it's Falcon 9 rockets this morning.
"There's about 500,000 moving parts on this sucker. So even with a 99.9% success rate, there's still 500 failures that you have to contend with."
Times ten, for SpaceX. Nine first stage M1-D engines on the first stage and one on the second stage.
Akima:
--- Quote from: hedgie on 25 Dec 2014, 13:09 ---The only real down-side I can see to that idea is the Muzak on such a long ride.
--- End quote ---
The downside I see with a space-elevator is that our materials technology is, I think, well short of what is required.
As for reusable rockets, it is a great idea, if in fact it can be made to work both technically and economically. If Mr. Musk's rapid-turnaround leads to a higher proportion of rockets that blow up on the launch-pad than "fresh from the factory" rockets, the overall cost, including the destruction of their payloads, insurance, cost of capital etc. will not necessarily be as low as he suggests. Bearing in mind all the hot air about private space flight, Mr. Musk's launch system will have to satisfy clients who might not be impressed by having their very expensive hardware blown to bits.
GarandMarine:
That of course is why you test the idea extensively first.
Kugai:
And why the current trend is towards Private Organisations such as Space X, Virgin Galactic etc. Been that way since the Federal Govt cut NASA's balls off.
Though I do hear there are still some good ideas floating around in JPL
GarandMarine:
Privatization was the only way space exploration was truly going to get massive.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version