Move over NASA II -- US private commercial spaceflight

[The Mad Monk]

...which has nothing to do with this rocket.

[Lorizael]

Except, as I said earlier, the Dragon capsule is intended for human spaceflight. It's not there yet, but that's part of its purpose. SpaceX expects to be sending astronauts into orbit by 2015, but who knows when/if that will actually be achieved.

[The Mad Monk]

This is just a BDR with an improved guidance package on the payload. None of it represents a leap in understanding beyond what was already known with the V2s.

[The Mad Monk]

In terms of human spaceflight -- which, after all, is just allowing humans to live in an unpressured environment -- the first steps were taken by the likes of Auguste Piccard and Russell Colley. Again, later improvements were just that. Nothing really mind-blowing in and of themselves.

[DaShi]

Obviously, the person who invented the first tool is the true pioneer of human spaceflight.

[Lorizael]

In terms of human spaceflight -- which, after all, is just allowing humans to live in an unpressured environment -- the first steps were taken by the likes of Auguste Piccard and Russell Colley. Again, later improvements were just that. Nothing really mind-blowing in and of themselves.

...and Colley worked for NASA.

[The Mad Monk]

He worked for Wiley Post first. He refined his designs as he went on, and was picked up by NASA because of that.

[DaShi]

I woke up at 3:15 this morning (and went back to sleep at 4:15) to watch the launch. It was pretty rad. That said, this isn't a situation of private companies stepping in because the US is broke. NASA has invested a good deal in SpaceX.

Well, the government is hardly broke if it is paying for this. But this is a much more cost effective method of space travel. Despite the inane argument about pioneering, this is an excellent example of where government can help create a market that could never be formed by private industry alone.

As far as Planetary Resources is concerned, it's a really great idea if done carefully and gradually. They won't be turning a profit any time soon, however.

Exactly why it would have to be government supported to start. Currently, no government is in a position to do this, but I can definitely see the Chinese mining asteroids this century. Too bad the rest of you won't.

[Ben Kenobi]

This is just a BDR with an improved guidance package on the payload. None of it represents a leap in understanding beyond what was already known with the V2s.

I, personally, am enjoying the thrust of your argument.

[Ben Kenobi]

Currently, no government is in a position to do this, but I can definitely see the Chinese mining asteroids this century. Too bad the rest of you won't.

SpaceX might not have caught up with the big players but they've already surpassed China. In another year, they'll be ahead of everyone.

[DaShi]

China has already sent armed men into space. They are way more prepared for what's out there than us.

[DanS]

This is just a BDR with an improved guidance package on the payload. None of it represents a leap in understanding beyond what was already known with the V2s.

Not quite true. The rocket itself is a refinement (although a pretty big one). The Dragon spacecraft is new.

[The Mad Monk]

Its operation looks very familiar. :\

[Hauldren Collider]

No. V-2s didn't have stage separations. Stage separation is one of the most complex aspects of a rocket capable of spaceflight.

[The Mad Monk]

You're right, I don't know how I forgot that.