Quote from: jsgirald on 02/27/2017 08:57 pmNo mention of a crew, only 2 passengers?People, who are going to spend so much money, are probaly ready to learn to push the abort button in case...
No mention of a crew, only 2 passengers?
Quote from: Johnnyhinbos on 02/27/2017 08:53 pmI'm somehow glum about this announcement. I mean, it's great that this move is happening - that the technology and processes will be developed to further humanity into space. But at the same time - to have that first great leap in 50 year go to ... tourists!?. This hurts and makes me a bit angry. People with extreme amounts of money are yet again able to buy their way though life. I would have been happier if the announcement read: "Wealthy private individuals donate significant money to SpaceX to train and launch two engineering citizen scientists on a free return orbit of the moon. The two future private astronauts will be chosen based on merit, education, and their ability to stimulate and captivate the future generation of space explorer..." (you get the idea).Am I alone in this?Would you rather have these wealthy individuals spend their money on overpriced wines, cars, and yachts? They are investing it in SpaceX instead, a company that will bring us to Mars one day!
I'm somehow glum about this announcement. I mean, it's great that this move is happening - that the technology and processes will be developed to further humanity into space. But at the same time - to have that first great leap in 50 year go to ... tourists!?. This hurts and makes me a bit angry. People with extreme amounts of money are yet again able to buy their way though life. I would have been happier if the announcement read: "Wealthy private individuals donate significant money to SpaceX to train and launch two engineering citizen scientists on a free return orbit of the moon. The two future private astronauts will be chosen based on merit, education, and their ability to stimulate and captivate the future generation of space explorer..." (you get the idea).Am I alone in this?
Quote from: jsgirald on 02/27/2017 08:57 pmNo mention of a crew, only 2 passengers?From SpaceX news post:"Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results."Suggests to me that the other seats are for sale, but the existing two are willing to pay for the whole show themselves if nobody else steps up.
So, coincidence that just when Trump seems to start pushing NASA to go for the moon first, Elon might beat them too it...?!What are the odds that Trumps want to own that show and demands NASA to either get there first or put NASA astronauts in the MoonDragon?
I love the name MoonDragon. His is what we have all been waiting for and more than justifies the funding of commercial flights to ISS. Well done Elon and all at SpaceX
I'm somehow glum about this announcement. I mean, it's great that this move is happening - that the technology and processes will be developed to further humanity into space. But at the same time - to have that first great leap in 50 year go to ... tourists!?.
This hurts and makes me a bit angry. People with extreme amounts of money are yet again able to buy their way though life.
I would have been happier if the announcement read: "Wealthy private individuals donate significant money to SpaceX to train and launch two engineering citizen scientists on a free return orbit of the moon. The two future private astronauts will be chosen based on merit, education, and their ability to stimulate and captivate the future generation of space explorer..." (you get the idea).
Quote from: jsgirald on 02/27/2017 08:57 pmNo mention of a crew, only 2 passengers?No crew. Just the passengers.
Is it certain that the existing Dragon heat shield can withstand the faster re-entry from returning back from the moon?I was wondering about a retro-burn shortly before re-entry to reduce velocity a bit, but have no idea if there would likely be enough fuel left (If needed, if the current heat shield is only good for LEO re-entry velocities)
Quote from: HighlandRay on 02/27/2017 09:05 pmI love the name MoonDragon. His is what we have all been waiting for and more than justifies the funding of commercial flights to ISS. Well done Elon and all at SpaceXDoesn't that name infringe a Marvel copyrighted character.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondragon
Quote from: geza on 02/27/2017 09:00 pmQuote from: jsgirald on 02/27/2017 08:57 pmNo mention of a crew, only 2 passengers?People, who are going to spend so much money, are probaly ready to learn to push the abort button in case...But think of a solvable problem, not nearly Apollo 13 leves of bad, wouldn't they like to have a pro who knows what to do and stay calm?
"If NASA decides they want to do the first lunar orbit mission, obviously we would give them priority," Musk said.
Those that aren't happy, just think of how many SpaceX lunar missions could have been funded with what has been already spent on CxP/SLS/Orion thus far... The waste...
