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Space Shuttle To Be Replaced By SpaceX For ISS Resupply
destinyland writes "Next year SpaceX will perform resupply missions for the International Space Station after the Space Shuttle is grounded, as part of a $3.5 billion NASA resupply contract. 'The fledgling space industry is reminiscent of the early days of the personal computer,' notes one technology reporter, 'when a number of established vendors and startups reversed-engineered Microsoft's DOS and manufactured PCs using the Intel 8080 chip set. We're likely to see a similar industry shakeout in the private space vehicle market segment in the coming decades.'"
It's all true. If Steve Jobs hadn't been off flying his private plane the day IBM came to buy an OS PC's would have all been running MacDOS, and Bill Gates would be selling snow tires to Hutterites in Minot, North Dakota.
None of them can see the clouds; The polished wings don't care.
I explored Paris via Google Maps, but it's just not the same as being there.
Problem is that all that stuff in space is much harder to get to than Paris, although probably less hostile to foreigners.
Of course, if Wozniak were able to fly that plane things would have ended differently-- but as we all know, Wozniak will never set foot on an airplane because it reminds him of his days in the 'Nam.
+1 Disagree
640 tonnes of lift capacity ought to be enough for anyone. ;)
"Empathise with stupidity, and you're halfway to thinking like an idiot." - Iain M. Banks
I explored Paris via Google Maps, but it's just not the same as being there.
Actually you were checking out Paris on a completely different site, but the same principle applies.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
It's like how easy it is to cull the idiots from a political story by the posts that start off with "I'm a Libertarian..."
With space stories it is equally easy, just look for the posts babbling about Mars...
If this is like the computer revolution of the '80s, I wonder who will be claiming that we need a rocket on every desk...
A stark contrast to when it was like the computer revolution of the '60s.
<glayven> I predict that in a hundred years, rockets will be twice as powerful, ten thousand times larger, and so expensive only the five riches CEOs in the West will be able to afford them! <glayven>
The enemies of Democracy are
Are these unladen men?
Transporter 2012 - Jason Statham in Space
The cool part about the story is that Steve Jobs wasn't flying kilos of coke around in the plane at the time.
He was such a nice boy.
I wouldn't say that I'm a fan persay, but I would definitely suck him off if he stuck his cock in my face.
And are they carrying coconuts?
Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
I was thinking that'd only apply for exporting the rockets, but when I looked up ITAR, it includes importing as well. Personally, though, I'd be more worried about zoning law violations & running afoul of the local tenants/homeowners association. The Feds got nothing on them!!!
Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
Two guys in a garage could start a small hardware or software company and have a shot of success.
Yeah, playing with LEO-capable rocket motors in your garage tends to piss of the neighbours, if not the feds. :/
Rampant carbon sequestration destroyed the Dinosaurs' tropical paradise. I'm here to help repair the damage.
Will failure be tolerated?
I guess that since it is a private company, the government will have to call to the customer service 1-800 number in India to claim their warranty. lol
(ring ring, ring ring)
SpaceX recording: "Thank you for calling to SpaceX, Where the sky isn't the limit (tm). If you are calling for customer service press 1, if you are calling for a technical support press 2, if you are..."
US Government DTMF: "1336Hz+697Hz" (2)
SpaceX recording: "Thank you for calling to SpaceX, Where the sky isn't the limit (tm). If your rocket lost your load or is in the wrong orbit please hang up and call to 1-800-loadmisplacement. If your rocket has mechanical failures, press 1 or say 'Mechanical'. If it is leaking fuel, press 2 or say 'Leakage'. If it exploded in midair, press 3 or say "Explosion". If it is about software problems, press 4 or say "Software". If other, press 0 or say "Other"
US Government officer: "Other"
SpaceX recording: "I am sorry I didn't quite get that, did you say... 'mangoose'"
US Government officer: (getting upset) "No"
SpaceX recording: "I am sorry I didn't quite get that, did you say... 'No?'"
US Government officer: (getting upset) "Yes"
SpaceX recording: I am sorry I couldn't get that either, please hold a moment while I transfer you with a representative.
SpaceX recording: (repetitive background music) "Thank you for calling to SpaceX, Where the sky isn't the limit (tm). A representative will be with you shortly, thank you for your patience. There-are---three---customers in the queue before you. Awesome facts! Did you know that the Falcon 1 was the first privately funded rocket in space? Thank you for waiting, a representative will be shortly with you. Awesome offer for a limited time! Get two rockets at the price of one! Only 3.99 (billion dollars), special discount for tax haven countries, only in SpaceX. Thank you for waiting, a representative will be with you shortly
US Government officer: "..."
SpaceX recording: (music interrupts)
US Government officer: "Hello?"
SpaceX recording: (the same background music again) "Thank you for calling to SpaceX, Where the sky isn't the limit (tm), A representative will be with you shortly, thank you for your patience... Did you know that..."
US Government officer: (heavy breathing) "......"
SpaceX recording: "Herow, my name is Suryakant Chattopadhyay, haw can I asidst you torey?"
US Government officer: *SIGH*
You mean they moved onto Z80s?
"The weirdest thing about a mind, is that every answer that you find, is the basis of a brand new cliche" -
A 670kg payload ought to be enough for anybody.