NBC NIGHTLY NEWS report on 'The 2nd Space Race'

[Alpha Control]

NBC Nightly News tonight had a good general piece on the CCDev activities, and moving beyond the Shuttle, in what they are calling 'The 2nd Space Race'. Total run time 2:24.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43211040

[tigerade]

It's not a bad report, I saw it when it first aired.  It just goes over the basics that we all know, really.

[Alpha Control]

It's not a bad report, I saw it when it first aired.  It just goes over the basics that we all know, really.

Agreed. But for the general public, it's a nice overview of what's being worked on. I posted it to show how the major media is covering this.

I didn't agree with including SS2, as it has nothing to do with CCDev. But I suppose NBC put them together to show the wider range of new vehicle development.  Or just because it looks cool in those drop tests.

[Jason1701]

SpaceX actually had a link to this under their News & Blog heading. It was dated May 31. I don't see it there any more, though.

[vt_hokie]

I didn't agree with including SS2, as it has nothing to do with CCDev. But I suppose NBC put them together to show the wider range of new vehicle development.  Or just because it looks cool in those drop tests.

And Branson's comment was a perfect example of the attitude that turns me off - how about having some respect for the people who's shoulders you're standing on and for their achievements as you try to do something far less ambitious and totally irrelevant to orbital spaceflight, rather than bragging about doing things better than NASA and government.

[beancounter]

I didn't agree with including SS2, as it has nothing to do with CCDev. But I suppose NBC put them together to show the wider range of new vehicle development.  Or just because it looks cool in those drop tests.

And Branson's comment was a perfect example of the attitude that turns me off - how about having some respect for the people who's shoulders you're standing on and for their achievements as you try to do something far less ambitious and totally irrelevant to orbital spaceflight, rather than bragging about doing things better than NASA and government.

To a degree, I agree with your sentiments however too often organisations backslide and end up relying on past glories as justification for their continuing existence.  I think you've got to expect Branson to take every opportunity to brag and push his opinions.  His shareholders expect it and it's typical of his modis operandus to bask in public exposure.  NASA needs a good shaking up.  They have flat budgets going forwards and if they wish to achieve anything in the future, they are going to have to change the way the operate or risk gradual decline into irrelevancy.

[majormajor42]

The old race was simple, US vs USSR into space and then to the Moon. Once the Russians dropped out, we still raced to get there by the end of the decade like Kennedy said.

What is the new race?
The news item kinda made it out like SpaceX is racing its commercial competitors. And that's okay if that is what the audience took away from the piece. but I don't think that is it.

So is the race between the new commercial companies?
Is the race between new commercial vs ULA?
Or is it new commercial vs NASA?

where are we racing to? a destination like Mars?
settlement? a never ending finish line but sustainable. I like this.
a race to $1000/lb or kg?

[yamato]

Branson has to talk like that. He is an enterpreneur, he needs to do marketing, he needs to make thiks look cool, free, in (thatīs Virginīs usual marketing).

I think that the report talked about competition of space companies for govt. money. So itīs no commercial vs. ULA or commercial vs. NASA. Itīs commercial vs. each other. They are racing "into" NASA payments.

[MP99]

The old race was simple, US vs USSR into space and then to the Moon. Once the Russians dropped out, we still raced to get there by the end of the decade like Kennedy said.

What is the new race?
The news item kinda made it out like SpaceX is racing its commercial competitors. And that's okay if that is what the audience took away from the piece. but I don't think that is it.

ISTM the CCDev2 companies are racing to persuade NASA that they are making better progress than their competitors towards a safe, reliable, timely and cheap crewed service, in order to be granted CCDev3 contracts. (I'm presuming a down-select to two providers).

cheers, Martin

[neutrino78x]

And Branson's comment was a perfect example of the attitude that turns me off - how about having some respect for the people who's shoulders you're standing on and for their achievements as you try to do something far less ambitious and totally irrelevant to orbital spaceflight, rather than bragging about doing things better than NASA and government.

Well, why would expect that commercial enterprises would not be better than the government in doing routine space activies??

Who is better at delivering US made civilian products, such as Caterpillar tractors, across the Pacific Ocean to China: the US Navy or Matson?

The answer is Matson, of course, because the US Navy has a totally different mission.

That's how it should be, and that's how it has been on the High Seas for hundreds of years. The government has ships for defense and emergency assistance, and the private sector does all the routine stuff.

--Brian

[douglas100]

Well, why would expect that commercial enterprises would not be better than the government in doing routine space activies??

Except what Virgin Galactic are doing isn't routine-not yet. And commercial enterprises can fail too.

[neutrino78x]

Except what Virgin Galactic are doing isn't routine-not yet. And commercial enterprises can fail too.

Right, what they are doing is an innovation based on a routine activity.

Yes, commercial enterprises can fail too. But look at how much they have accomplished, with fewer people, and less time, and less money, than NASA.

--Brian

[douglas100]

No, what they are doing at the moment is development. Routine operations start when they fly customers.

Since NASA does not have a commercial suborbital manned programme, the comparison between them and Virgin Galactic is meaningless.