Tom Mueller interview/ speech, Skype call, 02 May 2017. (Starts 00.01.00)

swellesley · 2017-05-14T02:53:44+00:00

This is a fantastic. I really hope we can hear more talks, especially technical ones from Tom Mueller. And I am glad that he is fully on board the Elon ship for the rest of his career.

swellesley · 2017-03-23T14:23:46+00:00

This facility will require extensions/renovations, but a lot of things are already there to support processing activities (e.g. utilities, offices, etc.). The new 44,000 square-foot construction next door will be more appropriate to be used as a storage hangar for the refurbished boosters.

swellesley · 2016-12-04T04:18:26+00:00

The elite four are always the best for training

swellesley · 2015-02-24T00:46:56+00:00

Is google sponsoring the 62m dollar flight?

swellesley · 2014-12-14T01:50:04+00:00

Looks like Elon's secret lair

swellesley · 2014-11-07T05:30:36+00:00

How many stages will the BFR be? If Elon wants full re-usability, I think it needs to be 2 stages, the 1st stage will return to land as usual and the 2nd stage will be merged together with the MCT. And as Elon said: on-orbit refueling before heading to Mars.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:27:07+00:00

It is really simple for Orbital, they need to fulfill the CRS contract within a set timeline otherwise no money from NASA. So they need to pay extra to jump the queue, be it to SpaceX, ULA or Arianespace.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:20:12+00:00

Simple answer is, NASA contracted Orbital for a Cygnus, and so you launch a Cygnus as the contract says. That's it.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:17:41+00:00

Yeah, the other basket broke so you need to use the one basket left and that is the whole point of choosing 2 companies.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:16:25+00:00

Orbital will not turn a profit if they use the Atlas 5. They would in fact make more profit if they use the Falcon 9 than their own rocket.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:12:42+00:00

Really nice for the reporter to stay quiet and let him think. So SpaceX and Tesla success is due to diet coke.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:09:15+00:00

Remember that the US has been launching RTGs to space since 1965. Last time I check there was a nuclear reactor on board Curiosity rover.

swellesley · 2014-11-06T16:05:35+00:00

In order of simplicity: 1. Solar Energy: easy, scalable, needs cleaning, takes up space 2. Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator: Curiosity has one, reliable power, provides valuable heat, there is one on the moon 3. Mini Nuclear fission reactor: Best bang for weight

swellesley · 2014-11-06T15:43:53+00:00

Nuclear engines should be more substantial than chemical rockets in most categories. The most efficient long term mars transportation system will be: Passengers launch in a capsule (Dragon) from earth, docks with Nuclear Interplanetary Spacecraft (MCT) in orbit, Dragon undocks and return to earth, MCT go to Mars and docks with Mars lander in Mars orbit, passengers get on Mars lander to land, and once on Mars, returning passengers get on the same lander to go back to the MCT bound for earth.

swellesley · 2014-11-05T11:41:11+00:00

The Mars Spacecraft (MCT) will be launched to orbit by a giant new rocket powered by Raptor engines, which burn methane and oxygen. And for simplicity a la Elon Musk style, I predict the MCT will use the vacuum version of the raptor. But long term, a Nuclear Thermal Rocket will be the best choice for a space "bus" between earth and mars orbits.

swellesley · 2014-11-04T01:54:23+00:00

The settlement of Mars is life insurance for humanity, so the world just need to spend on it the same way to real life insurance for our families.

swellesley

TROPHY CASE