SpaceX Unveils Heavy-Lift Rocket Designs

FleaPlus writes "At the recent Joint Propulsion Conference, SpaceX's rocket development facility director Tom Markusic unveiled conceptual plans for how its current Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 commercial rockets can be evolved into heavy-lift rockets, ranging from a Falcon X capable of lifting 38,000kg to orbit, up to a 140,000kg Falcon XX (more than either the Saturn V or the 75,000kg shuttle-derived rocket Congress currently plans on having NASA spend >$13B building). SpaceX presentations also discuss a new Merlin 2 heavy-lift engine, solar-electric cargo tugs, adapting their current engines for descent/ascent vehicles fueled by Mars-derived methane, and a desire for the government to take the lead on in-space nuclear thermal propulsion while commercial focuses on launchers. In a recent interview, SpaceX CEO/CTO Elon Musk expressed his goal of lowering the price of Mars transportation enough to enable early colonization in 20 years, and his own plans for retiring to Mars."

Comments

They'll need to double that

[Anonymous Coward]

To send Oprah to space

Retiring to Mars sounds like a good idea....

[Anonymous Coward]

....your income taxes as a US citizen will be lowering, since you will be out of the country :)

Re:Retiring to Mars sounds like a good idea....

[h4rm0ny]

That reminds me of an old Monty Python quip: "To boost the British economy I'd tax all foreigners living abroad."

Been there, done that.

Retiring to Mars?

[blair1q]

If he wants to die in a harsh, hostile environment, why doesn't he spend a few $billion retiring to Compton or Afghanistan?

Re:Vision

[khallow]

My vision has got me sitting on my couch in my underpants.

I didn't need that vision.

I don't always travel by rocket...

[RevWaldo]

...but when I do, I prefer Falcon Dos Equis.

Stay orbital, my friends.

.

Re:Vision

[Chris Tucker]

The important thing is that those underpants are HIS underpants! Purchased by the efforts of his own labor, and not via a government handout!

Ayn Rand would be PROUD of his underpants. PROUND, I say!

<generic libertarian twaddle shouter>

Re:Name

[khallow]

Off the top of my head with its imposing craglike forehead, denoting intelligence beyond your ability to comprehend,... oh where was I?

How about SpaceXterminate, SpaceXtinction, SpaceXploit? They could be divisions. One kills you, one makes sure you're dead, and one converts the ruins of your puny civilization to, um, something profitable, maybe RC toy cars.