Commissar SFLUFAN Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 I wish that I could feel a greater "emotional resonance" with this, but I just don't. I'm really impressed with the recovery technology but everything else feels smarmy. I am well aware that private contractors built and profited from the original space program, but this feels so very different. It was never "The Mercury Program - Presented By The McDonnell Aircraft and Chrysler Corporations", but seeing Space-X plastered all over this event just rubs me the wrong way entirely. It's just so inextricably tied to Musk and his ego - that's the problem for me that I'm just not able to get past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spawn_of_Apathy Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 28 minutes ago, Emperor Diocletian II said: It's just so inextricably tied to Musk and his ego - that's the problem for me that I'm just not able to get past I figured you were just dead inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 38 minutes ago, Emperor Diocletian II said: I wish that I could feel a greater "emotional resonance" with this, but I just don't. I'm really impressed with the recovery technology but everything else feels smarmy. I am well aware that private contractors built and profited from the original space program, but this feels so very different. It was never "The Mercury Program - Presented By The McDonnell Aircraft and Chrysler Corporations", but seeing Space-X plastered all over this event just rubs me the wrong way entirely. It's just so inextricably tied to Musk and his ego - that's the problem for me that I'm just not able to get past. They were able to do it for nearly half the price and ahead of Boeing. It may be another year before Boeing launches a crew to the ISS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwheel86 Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 35 minutes ago, Emperor Diocletian II said: I wish that I could feel a greater "emotional resonance" with this, but I just don't. I'm really impressed with the recovery technology but everything else feels smarmy. I am well aware that private contractors built and profited from the original space program, but this feels so very different. It was never "The Mercury Program - Presented By The McDonnell Aircraft and Chrysler Corporations", but seeing Space-X plastered all over this event just rubs me the wrong way entirely. It's just so inextricably tied to Musk and his ego - that's the problem for me that I'm just not able to get past. In fairness ULA, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab do the same thing with their launches, just not as well. The much bigger issue is why are traditional American defense and space contractors so bad at innovating whether it be under NASA or DoD? SLS was supposed to be cheap and easy using Shuttle parts, it is neither. Despite backing from the right people in Congress. Until that's fixed we're stuck with the egos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massdriver Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Emperor Diocletian II said: I wish that I could feel a greater "emotional resonance" with this, but I just don't. I'm really impressed with the recovery technology but everything else feels smarmy. I am well aware that private contractors built and profited from the original space program, but this feels so very different. It was never "The Mercury Program - Presented By The McDonnell Aircraft and Chrysler Corporations", but seeing Space-X plastered all over this event just rubs me the wrong way entirely. It's just so inextricably tied to Musk and his ego - that's the problem for me that I'm just not able to get past. I understand this view and Musk lately has pissed me off. However this is bigger than Musk. We are in the middle of a fundamental change regarding the costs to get the LEO. This is opening up more satellites, space telescopes, space habitats, and missions to the ISS, Moon, and Mars on the cheap. It's a barrier that we should all celebrate falling. The thing that rubs me the wrong way about it all is how nationalistic it is. I get it, our first launch in a decade. But still, space is where I would hope we eventually unite as a planet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 2 minutes ago, Massdriver said: But still, space is where I would hope we eventually unite as a planet. Instead we got Space Force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spawn_of_Apathy Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Massdriver said: The thing that rubs me the wrong way about it all is how nationalistic it is. I get it, our first launch in a decade. But still, space is where I would hope we eventually unite as a planet. The way I look at is we can have a national pride for finally being here again, doing these launches. Yet it can still be something that we do to foster a coalition of nations in venturing into the unknown. also I hate Musk as a person and businessman. But his drive to push technology and human endeavors is something not enough super rich people do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 2 hours ago, Jwheel86 said: In fairness ULA, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab do the same thing with their launches, just not as well. The much bigger issue is why are traditional American defense and space contractors so bad at innovating whether it be under NASA or DoD? SLS was supposed to be cheap and easy using Shuttle parts, it is neither. Despite backing from the right people in Congress. Until that's fixed we're stuck with the egos. SLS being cheap is the first i've heard of, its fucking massive, because its designed to go much much further than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreePi Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 2 hours ago, PaladinSolo said: SLS being cheap is the first i've heard of, its fucking massive, because its designed to go much much further than anything else. It uses solid boosters based off the Space Shuttle, same engines as the Space Shuttle, and the main stage tank was built of the Shuttle tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 4 minutes ago, ThreePi said: It uses solid boosters based off the Space Shuttle, same engines as the Space Shuttle, and the main stage tank was built of the Shuttle tank. Yet it will still cost over $1 billion for every launch. Plus the $30 billion it took to develop the rocket from leftover Shuttle parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Dragon successfully docked with the ISS about an hour ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkableriots Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2020/5/31/21271269/spacex-docking-iss-crew-dragon-nasa-success Quote The Crew Dragon’s docking showcased one of the biggest features of SpaceX’s capsule: its automated docking system. The vehicle is designed to autonomously approach the ISS and latch on to a standardized docking port, without any input from its human passengers. SpaceX successfully showcased this ability last year when the company sent a test version of the Crew Dragon to the space station without a crew on board. But this time, the company needed to prove that the Crew Dragon could deliver when it had its most precious cargo on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Vic20 Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 I like how Walmart Wolverine was one of the VIPs at Mission Control to ask questions to Bob and Doug. lol EDIT: Doug smashed his head when he came into the ISS, he had to check several times if he was bleeding. Looks like he is ok though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CayceG Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 46 minutes ago, mclumber1 said: I like how Walmart Wolverine was one of the VIPs at Mission Control to ask questions to Bob and Doug. lol EDIT: Doug smashed his head when he came into the ISS, he had to check several times if he was bleeding. Looks like he is ok though. Bob and Doug: absolute hose-heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, CayceG said: Bob and Doug: absolute hose-heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Also...these space suits are very ugly. SpaceX made a big deal about them being designed by Hollywood costume people...but they are very ugly. At least the old ones were beautiful in a utilitarian way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 Dragon crew capture the flag. This is the same flag that flew on the first Space Shuttle mission in 1981, and the last in 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinIon Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 On 5/30/2020 at 2:19 PM, Jwheel86 said: In fairness ULA, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab do the same thing with their launches, just not as well. The much bigger issue is why are traditional American defense and space contractors so bad at innovating whether it be under NASA or DoD? SLS was supposed to be cheap and easy using Shuttle parts, it is neither. Despite backing from the right people in Congress. Until that's fixed we're stuck with the egos. I think a lack of competition is possibly the biggest culprit. Defense and space have become increasingly consolidated with even less competition for the really big projects. I think it's fair for people to question the uniqueness of Space X's innovations, but I would argue their greatest accomplishment has been introducing real competition to a sector dominated by a few complacent companies that had no need for innovation. Anyways, I'm glad to see Space X continue to succeed. Musk is a grating presence, but Space X has really made tremendous progress in a short time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Booster returns to the Cape: Although NASA is currently choosing to only use new boosters for their manned missions, SpaceX is free to reuse this booster for commercial missions or there own Starlink missions. There is another SpaceX launch tomorrow. SpaceX will launch 60 Starlink Satellites on Wednesday, using a booster that has flown 4 times previously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uaarkson Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Who cares? Next time they do this, there won’t even be an Earth to return to 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Vic20 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 4 minutes ago, Uaarkson said: Who cares? Next time they do this, there won’t even be an Earth to return to Steady now, Earth has seen a lot of Hell over the years, and nothing has stopped it yet. Trying times, yes. But for better or for worse, the Human race and its poor parent planet will linger on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_m_b_m_b_m Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 23 minutes ago, Mr.Vic20 said: Steady now, Earth has seen a lot of Hell over the years, and nothing has stopped it yet. Trying times, yes. But for better or for worse, the Human race and its poor parent planet will linger on. climate change has entered the chat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Vic20 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 1 hour ago, b_m_b_m_b_m said: climate change has entered the chat Oh, I didn't say it would be pretty, just that humans and Earth are a lot more durable than people think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uaarkson Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I’d say humans are a lot less durable than you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 After more than 2 months in orbit, Dragon Capsule Endeavour will return to earth on Sunday, splashing down off the coast of Florida. Depending on weather, NASA will decide on whether to have the capsule land in the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic. This mission will mark the second longest stay for a manned American vessel in Space. Only the Apollo capsule that flew to Skylab for the Skylab 4 mission was in orbit longer. The next Dragon mission in September will likely break that record, however. Soyuz capsules regularly stay in space (attached to the ISS) for approximately 6 months at a time. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/07/30/nasa-and-spacex-remain-go-for-splashdown/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Who cares, actual America just launched a rover to Mars with a friggin helicopter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclumber1 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 5 minutes ago, PaladinSolo said: Who cares, actual America just launched a rover to Mars with a friggin helicopter. It was interesting how they tested the helicopter/drone on Earth. They had to put inside a giant vacuum chamber, pump the pressure down to Mars pressure (about 1% of Earths) and also attach a wire to it to simulate the much lower gravity on Red Planet. It worked. The drone will be able to fly for a few minutes at a time, capturing images of the surrounding terrain. Of note, it's processor is a Snapdragon (like what is in Android phones nowadays), making it many times more powerful than the Rover's own processor, and likely the most powerful computer ever sent beyond Earth orbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Its also using the first US produced plutonium-238 for its power source in over 30 years, which will be continued for other deep space and lunar power production as well as nuclear powered propulsion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaku3 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 1 hour ago, PaladinSolo said: Its also using the first US produced plutonium-238 for its power source in over 30 years, which will be continued for other deep space and lunar power production as well as nuclear powered propulsion. We stopped producing plutonium? I assume we still produce Uranium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 34 minutes ago, Zaku3 said: We stopped producing plutonium? I assume we still produce Uranium? Need to get those Arkansas plutonium miners back to work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaladinSolo Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 38 minutes ago, Zaku3 said: We stopped producing plutonium? I assume we still produce Uranium? It was basically all nuclear weapons production which ended during arms reduction treaties in the 80s, NASA had been using what was left and eventually even had to buy some off the Russians, who had also stopped producing and were running out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_m_b_m_b_m Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Nuclear power is bad mkay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outsida Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 On 6/2/2020 at 5:09 PM, mclumber1 said: Booster returns to the Cape: Although NASA is currently choosing to only use new boosters for their manned missions, SpaceX is free to reuse this booster for commercial missions or there own Starlink missions. There is another SpaceX launch tomorrow. SpaceX will launch 60 Starlink Satellites on Wednesday, using a booster that has flown 4 times previously. The most interesting thing in all of this is they reused that very booster within 50 days to launch a Korean satellite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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