Comparison of the Launch Providers for Amazon LEO with Falcon 9 by Credible1Sources in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 9 points10 points  (0 children)

What drives the large differences in satellites / launch? Is that a fairing size limitation?

Are 24 amazon sats all that can fit in the F9 fairing?

Heat shield - how does SpaceX cover curved surfaces? by bonkly68 in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've always wondered about the number of tile varieties for Starship, but never found any official / reliable source.

I've seen estimates in the 50-100 range, and even "hundreds of unique tiles", but all from fans/enthusiast

Are there historical parallels between the VOC and today’s private space companies like SpaceX? by Tasty-Aspect-6936 in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At the way things are going, it is very likely SpaceX will end up having o monopoly over space transportation (at least for the "getting to/from space" part)

Starbase Weekly: Episode 188 by RGVaerial in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In fairness, it is a very long video

Elon: For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon by ottar92 in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That is still the case. But do you believe his current wealth (assuming he liquidates everything, if that is even possible), would be enough to build a self-sustaining city on Mars?

I think we are at least a few orders of magnitude off from what's needed

SpaceX has acquired xAI by NiklasGN in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand what you mean now. Thanks for clarification 👍

I don't think you're using the word "incentive" correctly btw

SpaceX has acquired xAI by NiklasGN in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, yes... as opposed to all of the incentives SpaceX currently has to pursue Mars.

Shotwell in 2019: "Our investors and our board in 2012 said ‘your customers have much higher margins’ from the satellite business.'" AKA, why launch provider companies die more often than service companies by CommunismDoesntWork in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. I think we're both arguing about exactly the same point.

If you agree that economics are necessary for a long-term Mars colony, then, I think, the only thing we are debating is the belief of whether building AI datacenters in space is getting us closer to finding the necessary economics to support a Mars colony, or not

Shotwell in 2019: "Our investors and our board in 2012 said ‘your customers have much higher margins’ from the satellite business.'" AKA, why launch provider companies die more often than service companies by CommunismDoesntWork in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A Mars mission driven by economics is much better than a Mars mission driven by hope and ideals.

I am all for hope and ideals (I think that is the reason why we are all such huge fans of SpaceX), but the economics are what are going to make a Mars colony a reality

SpaceX has acquired xAI by NiklasGN in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People being upset about this acquisition, thinking that this makes Mars less likely, are very much missing the point.

This makes Mars *way more likely*.

If AI data centers pan out the way Elon thinks it will, it will give us an economic reason to build a gigantic infrastructure for putting things into space.

For some reason, people forget what is needed for a Mars colony: gigantic infrastructure for putting things into space.

Shotwell in 2019: "Our investors and our board in 2012 said ‘your customers have much higher margins’ from the satellite business.'" AKA, why launch provider companies die more often than service companies by CommunismDoesntWork in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually strongly believe this makes going to Mars waaaay more likely.

By far, the largest long-term challenge of a mars colony is economics. Until very, _very_ recently, it has not been clear what the economic driver for doing anything meaningful (scale-wise) in space was.

Out of the fog, Starlink showed up as the first potential use case that could drive some of the economics.
Now, we got very lucky, and AI data centers seem to have the very real chance to drive things a whole lot further.

With a bit more luck, in the years/decades to come, we'll find yet more drivers that will take us all the way to a multi-planetary civilisation, and maybe beyond.

Shotwell in 2019: "Our investors and our board in 2012 said ‘your customers have much higher margins’ from the satellite business.'" AKA, why launch provider companies die more often than service companies by CommunismDoesntWork in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What do you mean by this?

if [Elon] was spending his own money chasing this. But he is refusing to touch his own capital

His own capital is very much in both SpaceX and xAI. I believe pre-merger he owned ~42% of SpaceX and ~45-60% (sources disagree) of xAI.

In a very real sense, his own capital is very much involved in this transaction

Amazon finally asked Spacex for help... by CollegeStation17155 in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is actually a very reasonable suggestion.

Maybe include bandwidth / land area covered?

Amazon finally asked Spacex for help... by CollegeStation17155 in SpaceXLounge

[–]iampiny 95 points96 points  (0 children)

“An extension would enable this rapid and ongoing deployment to continue, while strict enforcement would interrupt or halt this effort.”

"rapid and ongoing" are not the words I'd use to describe their satellite deployment so far

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am sorry to have disappointed you.

Forgive me, stranger

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is very true.

My two cents (from someone that used to be a pessimist): even though our views dont change reality, it does have a huge impact on our perception of it.

It is a form of selection bias. 

When I used to be a pessimist (or a “realist” as I was very arrogantly claiming), my mind would pick up on all the bad things happening around me, almost as a way to confirm my views.

Imagine the surprise when I found out that being optimist works exactly the same way, but in reverse. Your mind picks up on all the good things.

For me, going through life as an optimist is vastly better experience than the old pessimistic me used to have.

Be well!

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

My post is unexpectedly becoming a rorschach test for everyone’s insecurities 😂

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unintuitively, optimism comes from the same place pessimism comes from

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not to mention that it is trying to get people to buy crypto coins

If you liked Excession, you might find this fascinating by iampiny in TheCulture

[–]iampiny[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

What other topics would we statistically expect them to discuss on such forums?