

Dragon capsule is on its way to the ISS



Sources: SpaceX,

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RE: W0000t!
By The Raven on 5/22/2012 11:54:35 AM , Rating: 3
As long as he can do it cheaper than the gov't then I'm loving it. But then again, to do anything cheaper than the gov't is not much of an accomplishment.

RE: W0000t!
By MrBlastman on 5/22/2012 12:06:15 PM , Rating: 2
I'm all for private space programs, they _are_ the future for sure. I'm cynical because of a. Musk's track record with Tesla (pathetic) and b. I'm aware that as soon as his program has an accident (it will at some point) they won't be free from legal repercussions like the Government is.

With Musk's utter inability to make a dime in Tesla, how on Earth will SpaceX be able to shoulder the litigious burden it might face once they do have an accident?

Private business is about making a profit! Musk has never made a profit outside of Paypal and that was a decade ago. His pockets aren't limitless here.

I reiterate that Branson at least is trying to do something different. Sure, his concepts aren't LEO for great length, but it is a different idea. Not the same old... lets pump chemical rockets right up into the sky!

I suppose if we look at SpaceX as a stopgap they are filling that. They'll give NASA some way to get equipment up to the ISS without relying on the Pinkos. ;)

It's sad NASA has been butchered like they have been. Government has red tape where business has lawsuits... ugh.

RE: W0000t!
By SPOOFE on 5/22/2012 4:49:58 PM , Rating: 3

I don't see how the two are related. The man is engaging in multiple projects with multiple levels of success. Are you saying you've never had failures in addition to your successes? Ridiculous.


He wants to send more Justin Timberlakes into space on pleasure cruises. Appealing the the Haves and their ability to spend money the Have-nots can only dream about may be a path to success, but it's certainly not "something different".

RE: W0000t!


RE: W0000t!
France has many billionaires, so you're incorrect there.



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RE: W0000t!
By Visual on 5/23/2012 7:59:54 AM , Rating: 2
Well I think you are not viewing this quite fairly.
SpaceX is not just counting on "grants", instead they have a good deal of cash from "contracts", even if a lot of them come from NASA/the government and are payed up front... there is still a difference. It is money for services that SpaceX will eventually perform.

And while I can understand concerns about such types of contracts in the event that SpaceX just suck up the cash then declare failure and inability to perform their part, my impression for Elon Musk is that he really wants to succeed in this. It may be a bit like a foolish boy's dream, but the good part of that is at least he will give everything trying to achieve it.

Also, so far SpaceX is doing quite great, I see no reasons for concern... if their docking attempt doesn't bring down the space station tomorrow :p

BTW, I also think Tesla is doing quite great, what's your gripe with it? Yeah, they didn't get an electric car into every man's garage overnight, but they seem to be doing ok. Hell, until recently they were the only ones even trying. You gotta respect that.

