Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

What's Next in the New Private Space Industry?

Posted by Cliff on from the profit-among-the-stars dept.

Cesaro asks: "I'm as thrilled as every other geek out there with the success of SpaceShipOne. But what are realistic expectations of our next steps into this new industry? The Economist clearly thinks the next step is high paying 'space tourism' at a whopping $200k+ per trip. That is all well and good, but what do *we* think the goals and schedule should look like?" "How about travel? A flight to Australia will currently take me 20+ hours. How long down the road until I can take off from the US and land SpaceShipOne in Australia where another White Knight is waiting to ferry it back into the air again? (Anyone know how fast I could get there?) I only get 10 days of vacation a year and spending two of them in a metal cylinder is not such a good deal. How many years until we can start carrying cargo and DHL/UPS/FedEx can promise around the globe next day delivery? So I ask Slashdot: What should be the next steps and what is a realistic expectation of when those steps could occur?"

5 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. What would be cool... by jd · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    A satellite with a file-swapping server on it. Impossible to raid, impossible to block, anyone with a dish can access it... It would be an expensive thing to set up, but compared to the net costs of fighting the increasingly hysterical MPAA, RIAA and "Intellectual Property" lawsuits, it might end up working out the cheapest option.


    (It would also force society to rethink the whole concept of "Intellectual Property", precicely because there'd be nothing anybody could do about it. Maybe the discussion could move from the "us vs. them" of CorporateThink and towards the point of intelligent discussion.)

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  2. Virgin Galatic by Rip+Van+Winkle · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Don't worry.... Richard Branson will save the save with Virgin Galactic

    --

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are not the responsiblity of the user, as I probably stole them anyway
  3. Re:Bad news guys by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    >Otherwise, STFU.

    Nice attitude.

    > What part of representative democracy escapes you?

    The cronyism, the payback to the religious right, the corruption.

    See Stem Cells for more info.
    the Clinton administration approved stem cell research in August of 2000. If Bush had done nothing, the research would have continued without restriction. Bush, however, prohibited federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001, and many scientists say the earlier lines are not useful for developing therapies to address diseases such as Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's.
    Most polls show support for stem cell research. Democracy isn't immune from corruption and the favors system.

    See also: Bush Administration decides to give Microsoft a slap on the wrist.

    So what part of innovation and better products will be done overseas, thus hurting the US economy because of right-wing ideologues who only represent a small vocal and wealthy minority dont YOU understand?
  4. I know this is a troll... by tooth · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    ...But I can't understand why the US only has 10 days off per year? It's crazy! Most of Europe has much more. In Australia we get 20 days/year, but I've heard that germany gets 30/yr, which would be great! :-)

  5. Re:SPACE PIRATES by slavik · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    hmm ... earth laws don't apply there ... FUCK YOU RIAA!!! ;)