Boeing's space capsule experiencing problem in orbit, may not be able to make it to the ISS

[SuperSpreader]

1 hour ago, outsida said:

This sucks because with Elon going crazy we need a viable alternative. 

 

Russia

 

[BloodyHell]

On 5/6/2024 at 11:10 PM, outsida said:

This sucks because with Elon going crazy we need a viable alternative. 

I mean that shouldn’t factor into anything except whether shareholders want him to continue to lead. Space X is way ahead and should continue to be ussd as it’s a far more reliable and cheaper option. 
 

Musk has no part in rocket design, and their manned safety record is incredible. 

[TwinIon]

16 minutes ago, BloodyHell said:

I mean that shouldn’t factor into anything except whether shareholders want him to continue to lead. Space X is way ahead and should continue to be ussd as it’s a far more reliable and cheaper option. 
 

Musk has no part in rocket design, and their manned safety record is incredible. 

I don't want to downplay SpaceX's achievements, which are many, but their manned saftey record is pretty short. Perfect, but short. Reputations need to start somewhere of course.

 

The concern with Elon isn't necessarily that the technical team will screw up, but that he could personally interfere with an irreplaceable asset. Look at what he did with Starlink and deciding when and where it can be used in Ukraine and imagine that some situation arises where he personally doesn't like a space mission. The history of manned space flight has largely been driven by international politics, and just the idea that someone so unstable and unaccountable could personally guide the usage of a program largely funded by the Federal government is unsettling.

 

At the moment, Space X is irreplaceable and there's no sign that their competitors in Blue Origin or Boeing are catching up, but it still seems prudent for the US to foster some meaningful alternative.