Private enterprise in space

[Kulindahr]

It's about time -- many of NASA's functions should have been turned over to the private sector long ago.

Resupply for the International Space Station is now in the hands of SpaceX, Space Exploration Technologies. Their first delivery was made recently with a "Dragon" capsule that maneuvered itself close enough for the Canadian-built arm to grab it and pull it in -- I guess no one is trusting robotic docking yet.

On the same trip, some vacant space in the second stage was used to deliver a heap of small 'urns' into orbit. The urns carried the ashes of paying customers, led by "Scotty" from the first Star Trek. I think that's a creative way to make a little more money per launch -- money that will mostly go for development of future delivery craft and space probes.


I call it a great day for humanity, a step toward a day when we'll live across the Solar System -- and hopefully treat Earth a bit better as a result.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012...0526?feedType=RSS&feedName=scienceNews&rpc=69

 

[Stardreamer]

Hear! Hear! I understand NASA was impressed enough to contract out next few years of deliveries. Now just waiting for Virgin Galactic to start opening up the tourist 'hotels' in orbit.

 

[vidarr]

I fear for the ethical dilemmas that will come from corporation dominated space flight.

For example, with companies like SpaceX racing to put a man on Mars within 10-20 years, who is to stop them from capitalizing on scientific discoveries?

The final frontier should be treated with a little more respect than giving millionaires more vacation time on the moon. There needs to be strict government regulation regarding who can go into space and allowing all of mankind to benefit from the knowledge gained in exploration.

 

[bankside]

Ugh...Canadian government built that arm...ewwww...government did something...probably the arm just sits there delivering free health care to astronauts and promoting socialism...

Human remains being launched into space? Yes; surely dying in space is the precursor to living in space.

Tell me why the resupply of a space station ought to be turned over to the private sector, or more precisely, when?

BTW, I'm pretty sure Queen Isabella funding a government exploration mission is why I live in North America rather than Annandale.

 

[Kulindahr]

I fear for the ethical dilemmas that will come from corporation dominated space flight.

For example, with companies like SpaceX racing to put a man on Mars within 10-20 years, who is to stop them from capitalizing on scientific discoveries?

The final frontier should be treated with a little more respect than giving millionaires more vacation time on the moon. There needs to be strict government regulation regarding who can go into space and allowing all of mankind to benefit from the knowledge gained in exploration.

When a rich guy spends several million for a little orbital tour, do you realize how many jobs he's supporting?

BTW, the automobile was developed and allowed all mankind to benefit without any strict government interference.

And if no one was allowed to capitalize on scientific discoveries, few would bother to make them.

 

[hotatlboi]

Resupply for the International Space Station is now in the hands of SpaceX, Space Exploration Technologies.

They are handling some of it now, however there are 4 other partners: Orbital (another private corp), Japan, Europe, and Russia.

I call it a great day for humanity, a step toward a day when we'll live across the Solar System -- and hopefully treat Earth a bit better as a result.

I hope so and agree.

Hear! Hear! I understand NASA was impressed enough to contract out next few years of deliveries. Now just waiting for Virgin Galactic to start opening up the tourist 'hotels' in orbit.

Virgin Galactic is just doing suborbital for now.

I fear for the ethical dilemmas that will come from corporation dominated space flight.

For example, with companies like SpaceX racing to put a man on Mars within 10-20 years, who is to stop them from capitalizing on scientific discoveries?

The final frontier should be treated with a little more respect than giving millionaires more vacation time on the moon. There needs to be strict government regulation regarding who can go into space and allowing all of mankind to benefit from the knowledge gained in exploration.

I'm not sure about other countries, but in the USA there is strict government regulation. SpaceX and the other private company has to clear a lot of NASA regulations to do these missions, in addition they have to pass safety regulations and approvals with the Air Force Eastern Range and they have to obtain a launch license for each launch from the FAA.

 

[Kulindahr]

Ugh...Canadian government built that arm...ewwww...government did something...probably the arm just sits there delivering free health care to astronauts and promoting socialism...

LOL Should we start calling it the Social Arm?

Human remains being launched into space? Yes; surely dying in space is the precursor to living in space.

They're supposed to orbit about a year then come down like a little meteor shower. I think the idea first appeared in a sci fi novel as a way to help raise money for a private moon venture.

Tell me why the resupply of a space station ought to be turned over to the private sector, or more precisely, when?

Congress wouldn't fund a new reusable vehicle, partly because NASA's designs were spendy. This actually saves the government money. It has also stimulated more innovation in design than NASA has managed in several decades.

 

[Kulindahr]

Ugh...Canadian government built that arm...ewwww...government did something...probably the arm just sits there delivering free health care to astronauts and promoting socialism...

LOL Should we start calling it the Social Arm?

Human remains being launched into space? Yes; surely dying in space is the precursor to living in space.

They're supposed to orbit about a year then come down like a little meteor shower. I think the idea first appeared in a sci fi novel as a way to help raise money for a private moon venture.

Tell me why the resupply of a space station ought to be turned over to the private sector, or more precisely, when?

Congress wouldn't fund a new reusable vehicle, partly because NASA's designs were spendy. This actually saves the government money. It has also stimulated more innovation in design than NASA has managed in several decades.

 

[hotatlboi]

Tell me why the resupply of a space station ought to be turned over to the private sector, or more precisely, when?

Because it's cheaper and less wasteful, and it provides more economic growth. And now on the when.

 

[Kulindahr]

Virgin Galactic is just doing suborbital for now.

And orbiting hotels are a long way away. Before that, VG is looking at orbital tours that last an entire 24 hours, but before they even try it the idea is to refine what they have now for something like three to five years -- and even then they just aim for a larger vehicle getting a little more altitude. In other words, they're going baby steps.

Personally, given how close the technology is, I think we may see a space cable before anyone orbits a hotel.

 

[bankside]

Again though, why do we not expect our governments to run things this effectively? I do. We have evidence that they did. They've done it before; they can do it again.


(Incidentally, I don't think the private sector should be prohibited from space, of course; I think that is wonderful. I just don't consider "tolerating government incompetence" to be a sufficient reason to give NASA (or CSA in Canada, or ESA in Europe or JAXA in Japan) a "participation medal" and send them to the showers. I expect results. If we all did that, I expect they would deliver.

One last thing, I remember reading that a shuttle cost US$ 2 000 000 000 to build (back in the early 90's) and I remember thinking "Hell, we should fund one of those... the States shouldn't have to be out of pocket for what is essentially a humanity-level endeavour. Canada has always been exceptionally good at satellites....from ANIK to RadarSat, and we funded and sent our astronauts and mission specialists, but I would have preferred to see us step up with more than just the Canadarm. Picture it! The HMSS Tundra!

 

[hotatlboi]

Again though, why do we not expect our governments to run things this effectively? I do. We have evidence that they did. They've done it before; they can do it again.

Not sure which government you are referring to, but NASA has never developed a launch vehicle and spacecraft with the payload capability of Falcon/Dragon for $1 billion.

 

[bankside]

No; it was a news report that said once you've paid for the design and program costs (consider them as "sunk costs") then the unit cost of flipping out a new shuttle from existing plans was just a couple of billion (not including launch costs, which were just about as much per launch) and this was 1990s costs. Don't think I remember the numbers wrong but then again I can't really cite a source either since it's before the era of wonderful online archives of everything.

But who knows. I also live in a city where the news reports said an interchange would cost $45 million and it ended up closer to $300 million. I blame City Hall for that one.

Here be bastards:

View attachment 826420

 

[Kulindahr]

Again though, why do we not expect our governments to run things this effectively? I do. We have evidence that they did. They've done it before; they can do it again.

Several NASA veterans, there from the start, have agreed that the problem is a bureaucratic mindset more interested in protecting one's position and perks than in boldly going anywhere at all, and at the top it's a matter of justifying a budget to politicians who may be clueless about how a space station stays up, let alone have any interest in a future beyond the next election.

 

[Rolyo85]

I vote yay on privitizing of space travel. Now we might actually see results in our lifetimes.
I WAS PROMISED FLYING CARS BY 2010!!! Y U NO GIEV FLYING CARS?!

 

[EastMed]

Private enterprise (such a pristine and innocent term) plays a not insignificant part in the degradation of our beautiful planet and may eventually make it uninhabitable.
Capitalism loves virgin territory - the more so to exploit it, and then move on, as if nothing happened.

I love NASA - a government funded organisation serving the public good.
Many people watching the video below, would feel that this represents America at its best.

 

[hotatlboi]

Private enterprise (such a pristine and innocent term) plays a not insignificant part in the degradation of our beautiful planet and may eventually make it uninhabitable.
Capitalism loves virgin territory - the more so to exploit it, and then move on, as if nothing happened.

I love NASA - a government funded organisation serving the public good.
Many people watching the video below, would feel that this represents America at its best.

Not a valid comparison here. The space shuttle ejected FAR more pollution than these new private vehicles do.

 

[Rolyo85]

NASA has done nothing relevant in 30 years and more. There is no incentive for them to do anything. the private sector is driven.

 

[Kulindahr]

I vote yay on privitizing of space travel. Now we might actually see results in our lifetimes.
I WAS PROMISED FLYING CARS BY 2010!!! Y U NO GIEV FLYING CARS?!

LOL

There's a kit someone makes for a road-legal hovercraft, something like $6k for the bare minimum kit, twice that for the really nice one. It's not quite flying, but just think: you could drive down a boat ramp and just head down the river!

 

[Kulindahr]

NASA has done nothing relevant in 30 years and more. There is no incentive for them to do anything. the private sector is driven.

Well, they have -- but for the money they've spent to do it, well, calling it a "joke" would be polite.