Total Members Voted: 175
Voting closed: 07/23/2016 11:49 pm
And the answer is apparently not 2018...Jon
Given Gwynne Shotwell's interview in which she said SpaceX isn't committed to launching Red Dragon before BFS and that 2020 is 'aggressive', 2020 is looking less likely too.
Quote from: high road on 06/25/2017 11:42 amGiven Gwynne Shotwell's interview in which she said SpaceX isn't committed to launching Red Dragon before BFS and that 2020 is 'aggressive', 2020 is looking less likely too.I am not sure how to interpret what she said. It can be interpreted as they are unlikely to launch BFS in 2020, in which case they would launch RedDragon. I am still confident they will send something to Mars in 2020. Just no longer sure that something will be RedDragon.
Is there any reason to invest in developing Red Dragon if they already have BFS either in 2020 or the next launch window?
Is there any reason to invest in developing Red Dragon if they already have BFS either in 2020 or the next launch window? Especially if we're still talking about the red dragon that can't deploy rovers.
Quote from: high road on 06/25/2017 08:52 pmIs there any reason to invest in developing Red Dragon if they already have BFS either in 2020 or the next launch window? Especially if we're still talking about the red dragon that can't deploy rovers.It depends. The intent seemed to be to survey a number of sites. Doing that with the expensive BFS and losing at least those which landed on a not downselected site is expensive. Doing initial surveys with a cheaper vehicle makes sense. If they now send much smaller, hopefully much cheaper landers than a full BFS on several sites it may be a good choice, given that they can deploy heavier digging equipment and larger solar arrays for evaluating water resources.I think it was never an option to send a RedDragon that can not deploy a rover, if not the full size of Curiosity. There were plenty of statements by Elon Musk and Gwynne Shotwell that of course they can.
Musk: no longer believe that Dragon propulsive approach is the best way to land on Mars. Not the best way to apply resources now. #ISSRDC
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/887737030704115712QuoteMusk: no longer believe that Dragon propulsive approach is the best way to land on Mars. Not the best way to apply resources now. #ISSRDCOh.
Time for an updated poll: When will SpaceX launch a mission to land on Mars?
What does "SpaceX" mean in this context... (in terms of who paid for what)? So as to avoid wrangling later.
Looks like the 5 members who voted "never" win this one. Sadly. Quote from: rockets4life97 on 07/19/2017 07:09 pmTime for an updated poll: When will SpaceX launch a mission to land on Mars?Give it a few days but yeah... What does "SpaceX" mean in this context... (in terms of who paid for what)? So as to avoid wrangling later.
Check in on wisdom of the crowds. I believe i voted 'never'
Quote from: savuporo on 07/21/2017 01:47 amCheck in on wisdom of the crowds. I believe i voted 'never'Your comment, pointing out reality, is offensive to us snowflakes. please delete it.