> Looks nice! I was impressed by its ability to land! Interesting how it looks "modern" compared to most space craft that exist today
Pretty impressive indeed. Like he says, the first spacecraft entirely designed and build in the 21st century. Only thing I'm wondering if the landing 'feet' that come out of the bottom will have an effect on the heat shield?
Not sure. It certainly is a futuristic design. I mean in that I never saw anything work like that before with the possible exception of the mars nuclear powered tank ;) I was certainly surprised to see that sort of thing in use on earth. One thing I did wonder though was "why?" ie why not land in water?: or would it be impossible to waterproof things enough that they don't get wrecked by that. Moving forward of course I can see that water landings are a bit old hat and not something for future manned space flight. There is probably a significant cost associated and various disadvantages that probably all add up. I guess on one hand you have an expensive design for a retro rocket ship that only needs to be designed once but has the additional cost of fuel to take up (weight) and to use on the way down. This however sets off the cost of having to liase with coastal guards and have helicopters and ships out waiting for something to plop into the ocean. Then there is the time to get people and the craft back so on and so forth plus being far from hospitals if injury occur, extra wages and all the rest... Yeh I think considering all that, it is best to have something that can land itself. Still cool anyhow. Certainly I have a greater appreciation of space travel since playing a little bit of Kerbal ;) Wistrel
Yep landing at the place it took off from, putting new fuel in it, new astronauts and take off again. Seems the cheapest way to go. And the rockets they made are reusable as well (and can even land too) so it all should be pretty easy to do cheap.
Yeh I really should watch the whole thing properly (have to admit I skipped through it a bit). So basically its fuel only cost. OK still a big cost (oh and oxygen etc) plus there will be the whole inspection routine after every trip. Still I guess this is what happens when businesses get involved. They look to do things in a cost effective way. Wistrel
Yep there are thing you can better leave to businesses and things you better can't. Space is one which is better to leave to public companies, healthcare, public transport etc. are not.
