Step Right Up! No Waiting!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Welcome Number Eleven!


https://youtu.be/sTA0GTgFn5E

[Homestar]

When are they going to get one to land as well as NASA did back in the 90's? [bigwhistle]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Landing on wheels is so 90's
but then even that was "Challenging" for Nasa.... [bigwhistle]

[Tins]

These guys are good..


https://youtu.be/cYBt3fkIiQA

[Homestar]

Landing on wheels is so 90's
but then even that was "Challenging" for Nasa.... [bigwhistle]

Was talking about when NASA were landing rockets vertically same as Space x is trying now - successfully - in the early 90's. Google Nasa DC-X.

My question was more around why the tech hasn't been advanced more by now since it's been nearly 30 years since the first successful vertical rocket landings.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

no need, its only in the recycling age do we see a need for this, before it was all thrown away, wheels or parachutes, even now NASA still has a hard-on for chutes.

[Homestar]

Doesn't answer my question on why they struggle to do this now when it's all been done before. Everyone seems so amazed at the tech even though it barely works and it's been done before. [bigwhistle]

EJ - "Hey, come look at this shiny new thing and give me your money"

EJ Cultists - "Yes Messiah"

I'll see myself out... [biggrin][bigwhistle]

[loanrangie]

Doesn't answer my question on why they struggle to do this now when it's all been done before. Everyone seems so amazed at the tech even though it barely works and it's been done before. [bigwhistle]

EJ - "Hey, come look at this shiny new thing and give me your money"

EJ Cultists - "Yes Messiah"

I'll see myself out... [biggrin][bigwhistle]


They haven't done much of anything in 30 years, money diverted to wars they had no place in starting [bigwhistle].

[Tombie]

Was talking about when NASA were landing rockets vertically same as Space x is trying now - successfully - in the early 90's. Google Nasa DC-X.

My question was more around why the tech hasn't been advanced more by now since it's been nearly 30 years since the first successful vertical rocket landings.

They also had failures back then. [emoji2957]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

No one in the last 30 years thought it was worth doing, again..

and, there probably wasnt a use-case for such a vehicle,, The Shuttle took care of ALL of that (idea).
Plus a payload thats still out of this world...
Literally the Shuttle built the ISS,, nothing since( or still) has been able to carry "big stuff" [wink11]

I suppose you could bolt some Falcon 9's on the side of a used Shuttle,, catch the 9"s and ---
do what? expand the ISS? Arent we already doing that? (small bit by small bit! )

I think the DC-X VTOL idea was a victim of other Agendas..

The whole MOON thing was a political grab for the popular vote.



Lucky us.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

They also had failures back then. [emoji2957]


Lots!

and Lots.

The cadence of "builds" during Apollo was astounding, and they built the only 100% reliable rocket engine.


During Apollo even with "the best will in the world" mistakes were still made that cost lives.
but those errors totally changed the way NASA made and built stuff.

Then during the Shuttle Program more deaths caused another total rethink,

No deaths in Space since 2003
but its been easy "Space"


The cynic in me thinks in 2021 a vast majority of Yank pollies are quite happy to fund private enterprise to do all the hard yards to get to Mars,, but you can bet the first Earthian ( Earthite? ) on Mars will have a NASA logo on the suit..

[Tins]

My question was more around why the tech hasn't been advanced more by now since it's been nearly 30 years since the first successful vertical rocket landings.

Because of various forms of atrophy, Gav. Certain administrations didn't like the bills and saw no advantage, no cachet. Others got involved in wars, right or wrong, that soaked up trillions, then another that echoed the 'don't like the bills' theme. One recent one has been all for it, and loved that private enterprise was prepared to have a go, with help from NASA. That administration removed enormous amounts of red tape so that Space-X, along with the non bureaucrat side of NASA, could get back on with doing what NASA used to be for. Musk couldn't do it without them. Not even Apple could do it without them.
Watch this space. There is now a new administration, and I'll bet there will be issues again, new red tape.. But now Musk has enough clout to take this tech to Russia, or France. He won't go to China, but maybe even his native South Africa. Heck, SA is almost geographically ideal. Not saying he will, but he's already shown that he'll go where he is welcome, by shifting Tesla from California to Texas.