I'm sure this has been discussed before, but if a space economy develops, then fuel depots in space become a necessity, I would think.So, if SpaceX masters the ability to produce large quantities of rocket fuel on Mars, does it become more cost effective to launch MCT tankers out of Mars's gravity well for long haul delivery of fuel to depots in Earth orbit, than it is to launch the fuel from Earth's deeper gravity well instead?Or do the additional energy costs to get it from Mars to Earth orbit cancel out the gravity well advantages? If the former, then SpaceX could monopolize the fuel delivery business for the space economy - until such time as other sources of in-space fuel are found.
Quote from: M.E.T. on 09/18/2016 08:58 amI'm sure this has been discussed before, but if a space economy develops, then fuel depots in space become a necessity, I would think.So, if SpaceX masters the ability to produce large quantities of rocket fuel on Mars, does it become more cost effective to launch MCT tankers out of Mars's gravity well for long haul delivery of fuel to depots in Earth orbit, than it is to launch the fuel from Earth's deeper gravity well instead?Or do the additional energy costs to get it from Mars to Earth orbit cancel out the gravity well advantages? If the former, then SpaceX could monopolize the fuel delivery business for the space economy - until such time as other sources of in-space fuel are found. Now the Interplanetary Transport System...https://twitter.com/elonmuskFuel distribution is key to opening the Solar System. Depots in LEO, supplied with <<$1M/tonne propellant are step one, followed by similar depots at high orbits, especially EML-1/2. Methlox and Hydrolox, plus water and other bulk supplies. From there, anyone building a refuelable vehicle can go anywhere.Depot system will eventually be supplied from non-terrestrial locations, but only because of bootstrapping off of the Earth-based system.This is also the key to finally having a start on a solution to orbital debris. In-space trash collectors will have fuel to maneuver and chase down debris. We are going to need this clean-up to start within the next ten years.(And to pay for it... a surcharge could be placed on orbital fuel to fund the trash collectors. A previously-proposed bounty system could pay for debris actually deorbited or moved to a controlled 'compound' -- impounded, as it were.)
There's the small problem of orbital rockets being advanced weapons systems. The US government will have a small issue with SpaceX selling them to just anyone with cash.
Actually, this raises another question : If there is a colony on Mars, who will have legal authority on it ? Especially if the initial facilities are build by SpaceX employees. Will it be independant ? Will it be considered as being a SpaceX's own little country ? Will it be under the law of a specific country ? If so, which one ? Why should it be ?I can see this becoming easily an issue !
Quote from: Alastor on 09/28/2016 07:46 pmActually, this raises another question : If there is a colony on Mars, who will have legal authority on it ? Especially if the initial facilities are build by SpaceX employees. Will it be independant ? Will it be considered as being a SpaceX's own little country ? Will it be under the law of a specific country ? If so, which one ? Why should it be ?I can see this becoming easily an issue !It is an interesting question. SpaceX missions to Mars under the Space Treaty are under the Aegis of US regulation and control. If SpaceX established a Mars colony it would be under US authority. If SpaceX contracted with parties outside the US to provide services setting up and servicing their Mars colony it could be different. Some sovereign legal authority would have to assume responsibility though. Under current treaty it would not be independent either by itself or under SpaceX.
Quote from: Ludus on 09/28/2016 08:04 pmQuote from: Alastor on 09/28/2016 07:46 pmActually, this raises another question : If there is a colony on Mars, who will have legal authority on it ? Especially if the initial facilities are build by SpaceX employees. Will it be independant ? Will it be considered as being a SpaceX's own little country ? Will it be under the law of a specific country ? If so, which one ? Why should it be ?I can see this becoming easily an issue !It is an interesting question. SpaceX missions to Mars under the Space Treaty are under the Aegis of US regulation and control. If SpaceX established a Mars colony it would be under US authority. If SpaceX contracted with parties outside the US to provide services setting up and servicing their Mars colony it could be different. Some sovereign legal authority would have to assume responsibility though. Under current treaty it would not be independent either by itself or under SpaceX.Theory of authority not practice.Technically when someone on site sets the first "law", then things potentially change. That's the bootstrap for policy.
If SpaceX builds a spaceship this big, then doesn't it suddenly produce a political imperative for the Russians, Chinese, Europeans, Indians, etc to now respond by scaling up their own plans? I can imagine all sorts of scientists and engineers dusting off old ideas for bigger rockets which had previously been nixed as too expensive or too ambitious, and now getting a hearing from those who control the purse strings.