Life in the future
SpaceX launched the world’s most powerful rocket to send a Roadster carrying the MTV astronaut into orbit. Why? Because they can. Cool video. If the time thing doesn’t work, start at about 29 minutes. And wait to watch the two rockets land.
Sometimes, the future is not stupid.
February 7th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Watched it live. Seems the core unit ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean before it could land. At least it didn’t wipe out the landing barge this time.
And yes, the synchronized booster landing was so cool.
February 7th, 2018 at 10:59 pm
Now if they can work out a way to launch with six boosters around a central core that is second stage from end to end and a LOT of payload, that’d rival the Saturn V and be more re-useable than the Shuttle ever was.
February 8th, 2018 at 11:12 am
And NASA can do what?
February 8th, 2018 at 11:29 am
I was on site with customers (a SpaceX competitor), and everything stopped for about half an hour to watch the launch. Despite being the competition, everyone was thrilled with the successful outcome. I too was very impressed with the image of those two rockets landing simultaneously within view of each other (although if there is one thing Elon Musk is good at, it’s putting together a good PR stunt). All very retro Sci-fi; this is the type of stuff that made me want to study AeroAstro engineering back in the day (and to be an astronaut, but apparently I didn’t make the cut).
February 8th, 2018 at 11:29 am
Eventually, we are billed for these SpaceX ventures and we continue to foot the bill for NASA. So correct me if wrong here but NASA is a diversity yobs program for incompetents while the real engineers and rocket scientists work for SpaceX? And don’t forget ULA (United Launch Alliance – Lockheed/Boeing/et al) who, in fairness, do many commercial launches but also DoD. We’re getting double billed for no good reason. Throw NASA in the trash and give us our money back.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
NASA has complained that all the young talented engineers are going to the private space companies these days. Some might refer to that as “a clue”.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
That’s funny right there.
February 8th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Watched the contrail from Sebring as I have for many launches but this one has a very different feeling due to its privateer genesis and its long term potential.
As long as the results are there and the cost is competitive I’m good with the quasi-gov status…sure don’t need another Amtrak or USPS.
Go Major Tom!
February 8th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Oh, and I am totally good with the PR, advertising is what drives capitalism, and the more private this private/gov consortium gets, the better!
February 8th, 2018 at 3:27 pm
NASA supplied the Astronauts, planned and controlled the missions but all NASA’s rockets and other hardware was and is contractor built and serviced.
February 9th, 2018 at 2:23 am
The simultaneous booster landing was awesome. But as a youth in the 80s the heavy metal convertible and the “Don’t Panic” touch screen were epic.
February 10th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Y’all had me for way to much of this. Nice joke.