So they're going to clutter Mars' orbit with earth junk even before we got there?You'd think they've learned...
Space junk is only a problem if it clutters up a small area, like parts of Earth orbit, and SpaceX is already more conscious of the problem than the other rocket makers...They don't leave any rocket bits in earth orbit!
No worries Pabs, in fact I remember the space program when I was a kid, and it was a worthy project and advanced humanity in a spectacular way, but launching a stupid car as a publicity stunt? Not so much. It is a curiosity if nothing else, and glad you posted it!
a bunch of reused rocket boosters landing at the same time like in a sci fi movie.
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on December 21, 2017, 07:19:31 PM a bunch of reused rocket boosters landing at the same time like in a sci fi movie. That is what I'm waiting for. I think this is just Mr Musk calling dibs on the best parking spot.
Quote from: ironraven on December 22, 2017, 01:34:38 AMQuote from: Pablo O'Brien on December 21, 2017, 07:19:31 PM a bunch of reused rocket boosters landing at the same time like in a sci fi movie. That is what I'm waiting for. I think this is just Mr Musk calling dibs on the best parking spot.The parking fees are going to be astronomical though.
I'm sorry but I find this foolish and irresponsible. The last thing we need to do is in any way stir up any trouble with Mars. Have we learnt nothing from War of the Worlds? They will have developed vaccinations by now!!!!
The idea that the launch is a publicity stunt gives me a headache. The car is a stunt, of course, but the launch is simply a high risk, full scale test of the rocket, where nobody in their right minds would send their actual payload. Elon Musk has stated any outcome where they don't damage the launch ramp is a success. (The site is historically important and the only place on US soil to launch manned flights.)Pablo tried explaining this, but I just wanted to chime in to state I don't believe there is a viable future without space exploration.Just to put current cost of space travel in perspective: If you found a way to turn lead into gold in low Earth orbit, it would not be cost effective.
PS Asteroid belt mining on a truely massive scale may cause a redistribution of mass throughout the solar system such that the effects make global warming look loke kiddy stuff.