http://www.space.com/15939-spacex-dragon-capsule-landing-pacific.html
Glad we won't be totally dependent on the Russians anymore, especially since Kazakhstan is holding up their launches (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/kazakhstan-blocks-russian-satellite-launches-reports-164650702.html)!
Glad to hear that the US is at least sorta back in the space program.
I've heard that this program is "heavily subsidized" by NASA...whatever that means. I'd rather NASA just paid full fare. "Subsidy" smacks of financial shenanigans that has little place in the free market.
It was my understanding that this first trip was all out of SpaceX's pocket, to prove that they could do it. NASA is paying for 10(?) additional flights. Not sure about subsidies, but there is a lot of private money involved.
My worry is that we'll end up with 2-3 Ginormous companies ruling the roost when it comes to moving furniture in space, much as the major defense contracts only go to the current usual suspects, sometimes after a game of Little Guy Buyout to confuse the public and Congress. I think we all know the next verse in that song...
Quote from: Staggerwing on May 31, 2012, 08:55:49 PM
My worry is that we'll end up with 2-3 Ginormous companies ruling the roost when it comes to moving furniture in space, much as the major defense contracts only go to the current usual suspects, sometimes after a game of Little Guy Buyout to confuse the public and Congress. I think we all know the next verse in that song...
Yeah, but the alternative is the government doing it without competition.
Space travel is an enormous undertaking. As it becomes more common, hopefully the barriers to entry will fall and we'll have more competition.
Looks like they had a successful splash down.
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/private-spacecraft-ready-for-historic-launch-slideshow/photo-provided-spacex-shows-dragon-spacecraft-boat-pacific-photo-012311593.html
Cool photos, thanks for the link. I was watching the re-entry/splashdown live yesterday and the video feeds were pretty bad.
Quote from: Staggerwing on May 31, 2012, 08:55:49 PM
My worry is that we'll end up with 2-3 Ginormous companies ruling the roost when it comes to moving furniture in space, much as the major defense contracts only go to the current usual suspects, sometimes after a game of Little Guy Buyout to confuse the public and Congress. I think we all know the next verse in that song...
SpaceX, when it absolutely, positively has to launch overnight.