SpaceX to send privately crewed spacecraft beyond Moon

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Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2017 - 02:14pm PT

Anger. Bitterness. Cynicism. Runs amok at S-T. And the main reason I don't hang out here much, anymore.

High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 02:24pm PT

I do not start it... and I do not make it personal in the way you do so often... a very long time ago you and wb set the stage the tone among the three of us. My criticism above was not personalized like yours so often tends to be...

Anonymity is irrelevant on an off topic thread dealing with science. It is the idea that is the important thing. Ad ideam.

But I'm fine with this. As you say... whatever.

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Feb 28, 2017 - 03:25pm PT

soo when the "spaceeagle" or whatever they are going to name it..... gets stuck in moon orbit and the return rocket malfunctions. Will these fools get a refund?

all the while back on earth... we will be entertained with the whole spectacle of the last words and goodbys for the dying????

much like Everest?

Mighty Hiker

climber

Outside the Asylum

Feb 28, 2017 - 03:58pm PT

Assuming that a gravity slingshot maneuver is planned - much the most energy/weight efficient - the spacecraft can't go much further past the moon than did the Apollo missions, that is 100 - 200 km. Going into orbit around the moon, and then returning to Earth, would be a greater challenge.

For future longer-duration space missions, will the tendency be to select humans who are smaller/lighter, on the basis that they require less food, water, and oxygen, and so less mass? This would probably exclude both Greg and me.

eeyonkee

Trad climber

Golden, CO

Feb 28, 2017 - 04:09pm PT

I tell you Roger, I would be more interested except for my life-long propensity for bad motion sickness. Really. If you have it, you understand. I'm fine just being a Tang drinker and hanging out on the home planet.

Studly

Trad climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 04:37pm PT

They need to figure out how to get through the Van Allen radiation belts first in order to make it to the moon. Which goes to prove the largest hoax in history?

[Click to View YouTube Video]

High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 04:39pm PT

I just got back to my laptop.

Dingus, my apologies as well. I value your presence here.

perswig

climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 05:02pm PT

Just wanted to point out the second Zoolander reference on ST in 24 hours.
Who says the forum's not relevant anymore?

Dale

Studly

Trad climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 05:13pm PT

Hansel: So I'm rappelling down Mount Vesuvius when suddenly I slip, and I start to fall. Just falling, ahh ahh, I'll never forget the terror. When suddenly I realize "Holy sh#t, Hansel, haven't you been smoking Peyote for six straight days, and couldn't some of this maybe be in your head?"

Derek Zoolander: And?

Hansel: And it was. I was totally fine. I've never even been to Mount Vesuvius.

the Fet

climber

Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La

Feb 28, 2017 - 05:25pm PT

I get it.

Space exploration isn't just about adventure (although that should be enough for climbers to value it), it's about contributing to our understanding of the universe and creating new technology that filters down to everyday life.

Computers would be decades behind where they are now without the space program. And that's just one example. Materials. Communications. etc.

Then there's the environmental and atmospheric science.

SpaceX is figuring out how to build rockets that will save the US taxpayer money to get astronauts and cargo into space. They have a contract to fly cargo and people to the ISS. They will use the tech developed for that for this moon trip. The taxpayer isn't paying for the trip.

So some rich guys get to have an awesome adventure. People complain. Then they drive their cars to go climbing. Shouldn't they be donating their gas money to underprivileged people? Or is it fine to spend $50 climbing, but spending $100 million is morally wrong? That's like saying a $50 prostitute is fine, but a $1000 hooker is immoral.

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2017 - 05:37pm PT

Regarding Van Allen belt radiation; the Earth to Moon departure screams through VAB in minutes when doing 20,000 mph or thereabouts. That's primarily alpha particle radiation, from which the body can easily recover/repair itself.

Bone decalcification won't be an issue, since this flight will take around 9 days round trip.

Incidentally, I'm now working on a SBIR solicitation for bone decalcification studies, and NASA has asked for proposals.

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2017 - 05:47pm PT

Anders-

This mission is simply a free return trajectory just beyond the moon, and no orbit is included. It should be a wild ride! The amount of money being charged should allow SpaceX to complete development of the Dragon 2 capsule with NO more NASA funds involved.

SpaceX charges $98 Million for a Falcon Heavy launch, which is what this will be. It's a win-win-win for SpaceX, the 2 pioneers, and yes, the U.S. Taxpayers.

SpaceX is leasing their launch pads at Cape Canaveral, which goes to the U.S. Treasury.

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2017 - 05:54pm PT

As an addendum-

The trajectory is planned to take these guys 400,000 miles from Earth, so they'll have the first view of the Earth and Moon from the farthest man has flown from Earth,; what a sight that would be. So--they'll see the moon about the size we do AGAINST the Earth as the backdrop. Wow! Only $80 Million to be the first to see that?

nah000

climber

no/w/here

Feb 28, 2017 - 06:10pm PT

the Fet: thanks for making that argument better than i would have.

considering that some of the other options for those with 88 million [or whatever the amount was] burning a hole in their pocket, includes super yachts, penthouses atop phallic towers, and all of the hookers and blow for a lifetime, i can't say i really understand the hate being sent towards those funding a space program and getting a front row seat along the way.

sure they could have donated it to the fight for cancer or some such, but i gotta admit i'm not sure which i find more disgusting: 88 million westerners eating an extra patty on a cheeseburger sometime this week or some dude/tte spending 88 million on funding a space program and getting preferred seating.

this human created world is too wholistically and intrinsically unjust for me to get too bent out of shape by an expensive joyride that will continue to expand human knowledge of our mechanistic potential.

MH2

Boulder climber

Andy Cairns

Feb 28, 2017 - 06:49pm PT

they'll see the moon about the size we do AGAINST the Earth as the backdrop. Wow! Only $80 Million to be the first to see that?

Well, you could send out a camera, instead.

But I do not intend to cast aspersions. Quite the opposite.

These 2 people should pay a little more and land on the Moon. If they want to pay to get back, too, well that's okay, but I hear that there are people willing to go one way to Mars, so why not the Moon?

It could make good programming. Here they are in their dome, trying to grow hydroponic tomatoes, prospecting for water, thinking up ways to kill each other. It could be poignant, poetic, helpful to manned space exploration, and karmic payback for Laika.

Okay, enough fun. I respect Rodger.

Kalimon

Social climber

Ridgway, CO

Feb 28, 2017 - 06:55pm PT

this human created world is too wholistically and intrinsically unjust for me to get too bent out of shape by an expensive joyride that will continue to expand human knowledge of our mechanistic potential.

Poetry for the consciousness!

WBraun

climber

Feb 28, 2017 - 07:09pm PT

This is modern science.

They'll take peoples hard earned money and throw out into space.

And .... that money ain't yours to throw into space.

It belongs to this planet to take care of its humanity.

And you just throw it away out into space peoples hard earned money ......

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2017 - 09:15pm PT

A few more details have surfaced. There will be an unmanned flight first as a proof of concept and as a test of equipment. The price is actually closer to $35 Million per person. So...Moose! If you can get $100 Million, we can BOTH go and spend the rest on wine. Close quarters in the capsule, though. Do you fart a lot?