I say we use politicians and lawyers for cosmetics testing, and maybe even medical testing. But then, I also value monkeys more than I do politicians and lawyers.
Well of course, and while they are at it, maybe they can give each monkey a shot of Jack and a nice massage beforehand. I am not saying they need to light the little buggers on fire while they are still breathing or anything. I just really value functional human spines more than functional monkey spines.
No, I simply don't equate monkeys with human beings. That's a big difference. Now, if you want to place yourself on the same level as a monkey, go right the fuck ahead. I'll continue on with my life knowing that my species is more important to me like the other 99% of the population. In the meantime, you can go back to your PETA rallies and pretend you're doing something useful.
Which university/cubesat team did you work on? I'd like to dig up some info. on that satellite if it actually had a successful on-orbit deployable panel. I worked on a micro-sat concept myself at university that intended to use deployable panels. They were the primary risk factor to the mission as proposed.
Cubesats don't usually have a very long life due to their lack of station keeping abilities. They don't have the room for fuel for thrusters to keep them orbiting for very long. But, if some private entity could lease NASA's new solar sail tech. that is being demoed on Microsat-D, well then, that might work for a few months or so. At least, it would be long enough for the current hubub to blow over.
I should note, however, that most cubesats use a piece of a metallic measuring tape for a cheap, low power antenna. This doesn't exactly lend itself to high bandwidth uses.
Honestly, I don't care if some intern in a lab halfway across the world has to snap the spine of 100 monkeys by hand. If the research pays off and eventually does lead a treatment that can restore full mobility to MS, palsy, ALS, and other paralysis victims, I say go ahead and break as many monkey spines as you need.
I don't think we have to worry about Musk ever doing business with ATK, or any other company for that matter, for SRB's. None of the Falcon designs integrate SRB's into the design. When putting together a rocket, that kind of capability is something you design into the system from the ground up. You don't just slap solid rockets on the side of a booster that wasn't designed for them. Furthermore, it seems like SpaceX rather enjoys building their own rockets. They didn't subcontract the nozzles. They didn't subcontract the injection assembly. They didn't subcontract any of it. The Merlin engine is entirely the brainchild of SpaceX employees. They do their own work in-house, and I think that really helps them stand out as a company in the space industry. For now, I think SpaceX likes launching SpaceX rockets, and only SpaceX rockets.
Hmmmm, "better, faster, cheaper," where have I heard that before? As a rule of thumb, faster, better, and cheaper doesn't always work out with respect to complicated technical endeavors...like pioneering unexplored areas of space. Now... applied to a practice which has been done well, consistently, for four+ decades, like LEO flight (SpaceX's current business), it has its merits. But when it comes to sending a probe out past the edges of the solar system, trying to do something fast and cheap is sure to create a new crater on Neptune.
But then, maybe you can explain to me what kind of profit a company in the private sector could generate from a mission like Voyager or Cassini?
It's okay, I'll wait....
In the meantime, I will sit and ponder the merits that NASA has going for it when it comes to deep space exploration vs. the merits SpaceX has going for it when it comes to LEO access
It's going to be a bit humorous when 90% of Americans shit their pants at not being able to watch kitty cat videos on Youtube for less than $50 per month. Or when the cost of their Netflix services suddenly triple. I'll start stocking up on popcorn now.
Update, it looks like NASA is planning a press conference around 3:30 PM EST, or 12:30 PST, or 20:30 GMT, for anyone interested in tuning in. The conference is supposed to broadcast on NASA's public and media channels on NASA TV. I think you can tune in here, but am not certain how it works since I can't access video from work.
Also, the Dragon capsule seems to have splashdowned on target in the pacific ocean. Recovery teams are currently working on snagging the capsule as well as recovering the first stage engine over in the Atlantic.
No, we don't. Because those of us with a sense of context know that this 1950's technology is going to make spaceflight much cheaper for everyone involved. We also know that the CEO of the company that just achieved this milestone intends to retire on Mars. I would say that these types of tests, therefore, help him get one step closer to that dream and, therefore, they are newsworthy. Finally, it demonstrates the abilities of a company that, ostensibly, will be selling access to space independent of government funding and, therefore, gerrymandered and corrupt political decisions. This is very newsworthy, especially to us nerds.
Incidentally, on-orbit fuel depots is one of the fundamental technologies that Obama and Bolden's proposed NASA budget called for the development of. Say what you will about Obama, but I really think he got the space budget thing right, or, at least, righter than most politicians tend to.
Hey, thanks for the hobby space link. I've been compiling a major list of commercial space startups and one metric on that list is companies that are seeking employees. Until now I hadn't heard of either TGV or Tethers.
Hmmm, here's an interesting little bit of info. Apparently the NRO bolted a few cubesats to the side of this rocket as well. They deployed successfully according to Spaceflightnow's live blog update. I can't find much information on the little guys (and probably won't since they are NRO) but wikipedia confirms that there was a secondary payload on this test. Apparently some government offices already feel that the Falcon 9 is worthy enough to carry their goods.
And, just to round off the fleet, SpaceX has already drafted up plans for a Heavy Lift launcher (see here) that could compete directly with ULA's Delta IV Heavy, the Arianne V, and whatever the Russians will be using for a heavy launcher in the next few years.
Correction, this was accomplished by an extraordinarily talented team of engineers and technicians hired and paid by by Musk. let us not forget the worker bees that prop up the queen of the hive. That said, yes, if it wasn't for Musk's vision, this bird wouldn't be flying.
To be specific, if all goes according to plan (here's hoping) then the reentry burn should start about 1:15 PM EST. The press conference is supposed to take place somewhere between 3:02 and 4:02 PM EST. All in all, this launch is damn exciting.
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I say we use politicians and lawyers for cosmetics testing, and maybe even medical testing. But then, I also value monkeys more than I do politicians and lawyers.
Well of course, and while they are at it, maybe they can give each monkey a shot of Jack and a nice massage beforehand. I am not saying they need to light the little buggers on fire while they are still breathing or anything. I just really value functional human spines more than functional monkey spines.
Oh right. You only care about yourself, dick.
No, I simply don't equate monkeys with human beings. That's a big difference. Now, if you want to place yourself on the same level as a monkey, go right the fuck ahead. I'll continue on with my life knowing that my species is more important to me like the other 99% of the population. In the meantime, you can go back to your PETA rallies and pretend you're doing something useful.
Which university/cubesat team did you work on? I'd like to dig up some info. on that satellite if it actually had a successful on-orbit deployable panel. I worked on a micro-sat concept myself at university that intended to use deployable panels. They were the primary risk factor to the mission as proposed.
Cubesats don't usually have a very long life due to their lack of station keeping abilities. They don't have the room for fuel for thrusters to keep them orbiting for very long. But, if some private entity could lease NASA's new solar sail tech. that is being demoed on Microsat-D, well then, that might work for a few months or so. At least, it would be long enough for the current hubub to blow over.
I should note, however, that most cubesats use a piece of a metallic measuring tape for a cheap, low power antenna. This doesn't exactly lend itself to high bandwidth uses.
True. I'm just a space junkie, so that's what comes to mind first.
Honestly, I don't care if some intern in a lab halfway across the world has to snap the spine of 100 monkeys by hand. If the research pays off and eventually does lead a treatment that can restore full mobility to MS, palsy, ALS, and other paralysis victims, I say go ahead and break as many monkey spines as you need.
I don't think we have to worry about Musk ever doing business with ATK, or any other company for that matter, for SRB's. None of the Falcon designs integrate SRB's into the design. When putting together a rocket, that kind of capability is something you design into the system from the ground up. You don't just slap solid rockets on the side of a booster that wasn't designed for them. Furthermore, it seems like SpaceX rather enjoys building their own rockets. They didn't subcontract the nozzles. They didn't subcontract the injection assembly. They didn't subcontract any of it. The Merlin engine is entirely the brainchild of SpaceX employees. They do their own work in-house, and I think that really helps them stand out as a company in the space industry. For now, I think SpaceX likes launching SpaceX rockets, and only SpaceX rockets.
On the plus side. 27 engines gives the Flacon 9 heavy a retarded amount of redundancy and engine-out capability...
Hmmmm, "better, faster, cheaper," where have I heard that before? As a rule of thumb, faster, better, and cheaper doesn't always work out with respect to complicated technical endeavors...like pioneering unexplored areas of space. Now... applied to a practice which has been done well, consistently, for four+ decades, like LEO flight (SpaceX's current business), it has its merits. But when it comes to sending a probe out past the edges of the solar system, trying to do something fast and cheap is sure to create a new crater on Neptune.
But then, maybe you can explain to me what kind of profit a company in the private sector could generate from a mission like Voyager or Cassini?
It's okay, I'll wait....
In the meantime, I will sit and ponder the merits that NASA has going for it when it comes to deep space exploration vs. the merits SpaceX has going for it when it comes to LEO access
It's going to be a bit humorous when 90% of Americans shit their pants at not being able to watch kitty cat videos on Youtube for less than $50 per month. Or when the cost of their Netflix services suddenly triple. I'll start stocking up on popcorn now.
Update, it looks like NASA is planning a press conference around 3:30 PM EST, or 12:30 PST, or 20:30 GMT, for anyone interested in tuning in. The conference is supposed to broadcast on NASA's public and media channels on NASA TV. I think you can tune in here, but am not certain how it works since I can't access video from work.
Also, the Dragon capsule seems to have splashdowned on target in the pacific ocean. Recovery teams are currently working on snagging the capsule as well as recovering the first stage engine over in the Atlantic.
No, we don't. Because those of us with a sense of context know that this 1950's technology is going to make spaceflight much cheaper for everyone involved. We also know that the CEO of the company that just achieved this milestone intends to retire on Mars. I would say that these types of tests, therefore, help him get one step closer to that dream and, therefore, they are newsworthy. Finally, it demonstrates the abilities of a company that, ostensibly, will be selling access to space independent of government funding and, therefore, gerrymandered and corrupt political decisions. This is very newsworthy, especially to us nerds.
Now go back to trolling on Reddit or something.
If you're excited about competition in the commercial space industry, here are some other companies you might want to Google in your spare time:
Bigelow Aerospace
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Armadillo Aerospace
Masten Aerospace
Blue Origin
SpaceDev
ExcaliburAlmaz
Interorbital Systems
XCor
Scorpious
Ah hell, like usual, Wikipedia can do a better job than I can. In short, now is a very exciting time to be in the space industry. =)
Incidentally, on-orbit fuel depots is one of the fundamental technologies that Obama and Bolden's proposed NASA budget called for the development of. Say what you will about Obama, but I really think he got the space budget thing right, or, at least, righter than most politicians tend to.
Hey, thanks for the hobby space link. I've been compiling a major list of commercial space startups and one metric on that list is companies that are seeking employees. Until now I hadn't heard of either TGV or Tethers.
That's a good point. Has the Daily Show or the Colbert Report been mentioning all the Wikileaks stuff lately? I haven't been watching them as of late.
Great idea! Let's kill off funding to the only United States organization doing research outside of low earth orbit! It's not like they've ever done, or are currently doing, anything interesting or useful!
Damn, stupid AC's.
Hmmm, here's an interesting little bit of info. Apparently the NRO bolted a few cubesats to the side of this rocket as well. They deployed successfully according to Spaceflightnow's live blog update. I can't find much information on the little guys (and probably won't since they are NRO) but wikipedia confirms that there was a secondary payload on this test. Apparently some government offices already feel that the Falcon 9 is worthy enough to carry their goods.
Also, pretty pictures of the launch.
And, just to round off the fleet, SpaceX has already drafted up plans for a Heavy Lift launcher (see here) that could compete directly with ULA's Delta IV Heavy, the Arianne V, and whatever the Russians will be using for a heavy launcher in the next few years.
Correction, this was accomplished by an extraordinarily talented team of engineers and technicians hired and paid by by Musk. let us not forget the worker bees that prop up the queen of the hive. That said, yes, if it wasn't for Musk's vision, this bird wouldn't be flying.
To be specific, if all goes according to plan (here's hoping) then the reentry burn should start about 1:15 PM EST. The press conference is supposed to take place somewhere between 3:02 and 4:02 PM EST. All in all, this launch is damn exciting.
You thought wrong.
Thanks, you saved me a response to an AC. ;)
Ah the Slashdot effect....legitimately contributing to most major DDOS attacks since the late '90's. I am so proud to be a member of this site. =)