tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post4279604203080032139..comments2024-03-28T08:06:43.198-04:00Comments on The Silicon Graybeard: Should NASA Send a SpaceX Dragon Capsule to the Moon?SiGraybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-69462679482901036682020-08-22T18:53:41.808-04:002020-08-22T18:53:41.808-04:00I can't wait for the runaway debt and predicta...I can't wait for the runaway debt and predictable hyperinflation of the dollar to sever the logistical tail of American governments at every level, and dismantle the NASA/Strategic Air Command's gun control of rockets.<br /><br />Then millions of nerds worldwide will build rockets, explore space, stay there a while, and accomplish actual exploration and colonization.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-60531278705748075112020-08-22T18:45:43.774-04:002020-08-22T18:45:43.774-04:00Probably all part of his Grand Plan, SiG!Probably all part of his Grand Plan, SiG!drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-46936883911885126402020-08-22T12:30:37.400-04:002020-08-22T12:30:37.400-04:00That appears to be in Musk's vision when he ta...That appears to be in Musk's vision when he talks about a constant flow of Starships to Mars carrying cargo and back. <br /><br />It seems to me that a guy whose "other, other, other, business" is boring tunnels might export some of that to the moon or Mars to create underground habitat. <br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-23765203751930915292020-08-22T11:59:54.769-04:002020-08-22T11:59:54.769-04:00What's needed for moving out is a working infr...What's needed for moving out is a working infrastructure in place before the people get there, and a durable supply line. We've been working with a Lewis & Clark model. What we need is Yellow Freight of The Skies. If you need a replacement pipe coupling, can you really print one? A good one? Grainger and McMaster will not deliver past low Earth orbit. This whole thing is a life support situation, all the time. Ritchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08075903551422300106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-24254128234024755002020-08-22T10:56:05.642-04:002020-08-22T10:56:05.642-04:00Right. SpaceX has decided to put their metaphoric...Right. SpaceX has decided to put their metaphorical eggs in the basket of Starship as a replacement and upgrade to Falcon 9. Maybe that leaves the small sat launching business to Rocket Lab and one or two others; maybe Starship puts everything in orbit, as reusable as they expect it to be. At the rate they're going, they very well could meet that NASA contract to have a Starship to land on the moon. <br /><br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-3439623009776265292020-08-22T10:40:15.073-04:002020-08-22T10:40:15.073-04:00I'm pretty much there with you. First off, it...I'm pretty much there with you. First off, it's a very dangerous mission and part (most?) of the danger comes from the travel times. A minimum of seven months in zero G can lead to lots of bone loss and even if they carry treadmills and exercise equipment, Gabby Giffords' husband had really tough physical ailments when he got back to Earth after a long stay on the ISS. They're assigned exercise time on the ISS, which clearly didn't prevent it. <br /><br />If they have to abandon Mars colony and wait in Mars orbit for the window for a return flight, that's enormously risky. I couldn't say if it's riskier waiting there or flying back with a year or more long flight. Probably about the same.<br /><br />What they need is nuclear engines on the ship going to and coming back from Mars. Accelerate half the trip, decelerate the other half. Both going to and coming home from Mars. It turns the trip into weeks instead of months. Living and working on Mars is going to be dangerous enough; let's not add the dangers of long periods in zero G. <br /><br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-3988290926711573172020-08-22T04:47:33.584-04:002020-08-22T04:47:33.584-04:00SpaceX has the capability. All they need is the gr...SpaceX has the capability. All they need is the green light to make it happen. My sense is that if you want to make it big and new, punch two or three robotic "base camp" missions to the Moon first with the sustainable part of the mission, followed by the people to set it up, or to do what they need to do with Moon Base 1 when they arrive six months later. <br /><br />I am not a proponent of a Mars mission at this point in our history because I think that the tech isn't there yet. (we could do it, but should we do it?) However, any Mars mission would require precision landing of the robotic missions necessary for a Mars base. This would be the way to demonstrate one more critical skill along that road.LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538854359365988863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-42617702979541212342020-08-22T03:12:36.554-04:002020-08-22T03:12:36.554-04:00How are the outputs of this particular form of man...How are the outputs of this particular form of man on the moon more valuable than the inputs? How does it make a profit? It doesn't, this is pork.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-8418351815811558812020-08-22T01:52:18.451-04:002020-08-22T01:52:18.451-04:00Well, by 2024 SpaceX may have a Starship moon rate...Well, by 2024 SpaceX may have a Starship moon rated. <br /><br />A dragon capsule could reach lunar orbit. The capsule is designed for long-duration flight. The service module can provide plenty of electricity. All you'd need is a modified Falcon 2nd stage, and some changes to the service module to provide additional life support and by the time they get all that done, well, Starship.<br /><br /><br />Which is what the SpaceX website is saying:<br /><br />https://www.spacex.com/human-spaceflight/moon/index.html<br /><br />Though with the speed SpaceX does modifications, they could easily get Dragon to the moon.Beanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293778848879361153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-76089221476627925522020-08-21T23:24:44.155-04:002020-08-21T23:24:44.155-04:00Someone ought to ask Musk if they could land on th...Someone ought to ask Musk if they could land on the moon before 2024.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05450082315014407506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-44277801893179739182020-08-21T22:55:10.710-04:002020-08-21T22:55:10.710-04:00It occurs to me that SpaceX has a good deal of exp...It occurs to me that SpaceX has a good deal of experience at landing rockets on solid surfaces. Ritchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08075903551422300106noreply@blogger.com