What a trip

PaulG · February 07, 2018, 10:56:44 AM

FJmonkey · February 07, 2018, 11:34:27 AM

I like the "Don't Panic" touch.

ZOA NOM · February 07, 2018, 12:33:06 PM

This was absolutely thrilling to watch. It looked like a video in reverse when the boosters touched down on their pads. Made me excited about space again.

red · February 07, 2018, 12:34:02 PM

.
What a gigantic waste!

He could have sent the lamest possible scientific package to Mars, and we probably still would have learned more than we know now. There is a lot of real, significant science that could be done with that much payload, and Elon would have been beating them back with sticks, if he had offered that free payload capacity to scientists.

Choices like that could piss off the Pope!
. . .

Charlie-brm · February 07, 2018, 12:49:39 PM

I've got nothing happening on screen but a static image of a guy at the wheel of a car, as part of a photo gallery. Is this supposed to play a video? Flash encoded?

FJmonkey · February 07, 2018, 01:37:23 PM

Here is a link to a vid, not much going on that the still picture does not capture.

https://www.space.com/39612-spacex-starman-tesla-roadster-live-views.html

pdxfj · February 07, 2018, 02:19:49 PM

Uhh...

You do realize this was a TEST flight? It was the first launch of their heavy lift rocket system and no one knew if it was going to work. It was 50/50 if things would go as planned or blow up during the flight.

They needed weight in the rocket for the test and most of the time companies use blocks of concrete, scrap steel, etc. Musk decided to have a little style and fun with it.

So no, it wasn't a waste in the slightest. They were able to learn a lot from the flight, and even if it hadn't been successful they would still have learned things.

FJmonkey · February 07, 2018, 02:33:30 PM

I think Starman should have a red shirt, he was the expendable crew member. Well the Roadster was red and it was expendable as well.

red · February 07, 2018, 02:51:51 PM

Quote from: pdxfj on February 07, 2018, 02:19:49 PMUhh... You do realize this was a TEST flight? It was the first launch of their heavy lift rocket system and no one knew if it was going to work. It was 50/50 if things would go as planned or blow up during the flight.
They needed weight in the rocket for the test and most of the time companies use blocks of concrete, scrap steel, etc. Musk decided to have a little style and fun with it.

pdxfj,

News Flash!! They are ALL test flights; the rocket rangers change some things for almost every flight, trying to do better than the last launch.
I will say it again, Elon would have been beating them back with sticks if he had offered free payload space to Mars, to the real explorers on this planet.

Great launch, outstanding booster recovery (THAT'S how, folks!), respectable orbital altitude, and a total waste of payload capacity. Sorry, but a Spade is a Spade.

pdxfj · February 07, 2018, 03:01:10 PM

My apologies Red,

It's obvious I'm too fucking stupid to post in this thread. I will continue to refrain from contributing to this message board in the future.

ZOA NOM · February 07, 2018, 03:46:35 PM

Wow, that went South in a hurry... I feel much better about sharing my political views now.

Pat Conlon · February 07, 2018, 04:16:56 PM

I see both points.

1) Had the first flight of the Falcon Heavy failed, the loss of a $100k Tesla is no big deal. The loss of a $100m scientific package would be big news...how could anyone be so stupid to put expensive gear into an untested rocket?

2) Now that the maiden flight of the Falcon Heavy is successful, why is it wasted on a publicity stunt?

My answer is: Because he is Elon Musk.
His company designed and built the Falcon Heavy (and Kudos to him) he paid for the rocket, and the cost to launch, so he can put whatever fucking thing in there he wants.

PaulG · February 07, 2018, 04:24:01 PM

Holy shit Batman! Good thing I didn't post a pic of my basement. Talk about a waste of space!

Hey Red... why so angry? Every first launch from Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle had no functioning payload. Simple reason is they tend to explode. And who would insure those odds? Yes they have insurance for everything that goes into space, otherwise no one would do it.

As far as Mars goes, that's the biggest waste of money there is. The trillions flushed down the toilet for that should be spent here to make this planet less angry. We'll just fuck up Mars worse than the earth and a lot faster too. IMO.

Besides think of what fun aliens will have with it https://youtu.be/h2sI8vIJQY8

red · February 07, 2018, 10:56:07 PM

Quote from: pdxfj on February 07, 2018, 03:01:10 PM
My apologies Red,
It's obvious I'm too fucking stupid to post in this thread. I will continue to refrain from contributing to this message board in the future.

pdxfj,

Nobody said that. No apology needed, except from me. Please do not take anything here personally. My apologies.

The guy just pissed me off with his showboating. That may be his right, it's his money and all, but I think he could have done better at the payload end.
He sure did good on those boosters, no doubt. Oh well, nobody is perfect.

Pat Conlon · February 08, 2018, 12:07:13 AM

Quote from: red on February 07, 2018, 10:56:07 PM
....The guy just pissed me off with his showboating.....

^^^ Boy 'o boy, I sure agree with you there....

I have Tesla stock and I'm getting a tad cranky after the Q4 reports showing with *another* yearly loss.
($2 billion in 2017)

I realize Space X is a different company, but we sure could use those guys in Reno Nevada to straighten out the Tesla Model 3 production woes. I know, I know, apples to oranges, etc.

Still trying to be patient....but getting a bit antsy. My heart says stay...but my brain says sell.

News:

What a trip