Edit: So Musk is already partway into developing a reusable rocket that can get to any planet in the solar system, and land 150 tons on Mars. It can even get to the moon and back to Earth without needing to refuel in orbit or on the moon itself. He plans to send 2 cargo BFRs to Mars in 2022 and then 2 more cargo BFRs and two 40-passenger crew BFRs to Mars in 2024, for a total of 80 people and 6 giant fucking rockets sitting on Mars in 7 years.
It will be funded partially by using BFRs to launch giant satellites into orbit and supply the ISS (it's so big it looks like a 2nd space station when docked to it). Musk said that he can actually use the BFRs to transport passengers anywhere on Earth in about half an hour, so there's another potential way to fund a mission to Mars.
Last edited by Transient on Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:35 pm, edited 3 times in total.
[quote="YourGrandpa"]I'm satisfied with voicing my opinion and moving on.[/quote]
again, all the best to SpaceX, but i seriously doubt they can land 300 tons of anything on Mars in 5 years using a rocket that's still in the design stage, as much as i'd like to believe otherwise
on a related note, the deployment of the JWST has been put back another year
Doombrain wrote:for them it is. there's no way they can take enough to bring them back, no way.
600 tons of supplies and refueling capabilities, but you don't think they can get back?
We could've done it after landing on the moon but the same problem applies then as it does today in that it will cost buckets of money with very little return.
You need to factor in the vehicle n all and the amount of supplies it'll need just for the journey. I mean the Lunar module alone cost 20+ billion when adjusted for inflation and the total value of SpaceX is valued at 12.
Best of luck to them, but all this making your own fuel on Mars, having regular shipments n stuff sounds as pie in the sky as moon bases did during the cold war era.
[color=red] . : [/color][size=85] You knows you knows [/size]
Jesus trans you’re talking about 1000s of years from now. Just getting man to mars is going to be a huge achievement never mind opening a refinery and mine to process fuel. Just think about everything that’s needed to maintain logistics, forget the fuel plant, just moving raw materials is going to take heavy lifting kit.
The idea of a private space company launching reusable rockets was pie in the sky thinking not too long ago. C'mon guys, smoke a joint and embrace the future!
[quote="YourGrandpa"]I'm satisfied with voicing my opinion and moving on.[/quote]