Private rocket achieves orbit on fourth try

[Indenturedebtor]

Source: NewScientist.com

After three failed attempts, the private space firm SpaceX successfully launched a rocket into orbit on Sunday, marking what may be the beginning of a significant drop in the cost of spaceflight.

The two-stage Falcon 1 rocket launched at 1115 GMT from Omelek Island on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 4000 kilometres southwest of Hawaii.

Paypal entrepreneur Elon Musk has said he founded SpaceX with the aim of driving down the cost of space access. The firm estimates that Falcon 1 flights will cost as little as $7.9 million a piece, roughly three times less expensive than current launches.

In an interview with New Scientist on Friday, Musk said if the launch was successful, "I won't need a rocket, because I'll be over the Moon."


Read more: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14834-private-rocket-achieves-orbit-on-fourth-try.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news2_head_dn14834

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Go read the whole thing. This is a big step for mankind... truly. Finally some good news :D

[fNord]

1. Wow

A completely electric sports car that looks like a Cross between a porsche and a corvette, and now he sending up rockets. Elon Musk is a modern version of his car's namesake.
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Indenturedebtor]

3. He also invented paypal! And he's done more than invent: he actually creates the business

around his inventions. A truly exceptional individual. He's not even 40 yet!

[paparush]

2. Awesome! That's the kind of innovation this country needs.

[daleo]

4. Not entirely a private venture

"The firm paid for the launch out of pocket, Musk told New Scientist. The previous three flights were paid for by the US Defense department."

This means that a lot of the startup and development costs were actually paid for by taxpayers.

[ohio2007]

5. It's part of a NASA privatization program

Improving The Cost & Reliability of Satellite Transportation
http://www.spacex.com/index.php
with the first privately developed launch vehicle;
10 minute Launch video from the Pacific oceans Kwajalein atoll
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To-XOPgaGsQ



pretty impressive if you consider the cost reduction per pound of payload vs US govt red tape.

[Indenturedebtor]

6. I think that it's less of a "red tape" issue so much as a specialization issue

Nasa vehicles have typically been designed to be multipurpose so that they can be used for a long time, for any forseeable mission.

These new private rockets are using technology that was at least in part developed by Nasa for another thing.

I for one hope to see Nasa with it's own platform, but I'm glad to see this commercialization.

[yoodle]

7. Hey, maybe now I get my rocket-car!