Planetary scientists are starting to get stirred up by Starship’s potential

[smp]

From Art Technica:
"... Some planetary scientists have started warming to the idea that SpaceX's new Starship rocket, with its unprecedented lift capabilities and potentially paradigm-shattering low costs, could open up the Solar System to a new era of exploration. ..."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12 ... potential/

smp

[seigell]

It's always reassuring when a Photo (not an Artist's Conception) of the Starship stacked atop the Super Heavy shows Platforms of Construction Scaffolding and Weathered 2"x12" Boards AND Ratchet Straps holding the Attitude Planes in place.

[KathyNS]

Could be worse. At least it's not duct tape.

[Thefatkitty]

Well, I have to give credit where due. Not a big fan of the Starlink sats, but if he could actually get 100 tons of science to Europa, I might start to forgive him...

Great article Stephen, thanks!

All the best,

[seigell]

He's not doing it Gratis. He wants his heirs to be the Kings of Mars.

And he's not playing nice with the neighbors...
SpacePort Texas is using land owned by the State of Texas as what was (is?) Boca Chica Beach State Park, but is managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service under a Consent Decree.
SpaceX habitually closes the sole highway access from local residents during Fueling and Launch Activities. And "Launch Anomalies" have spread Stainless Steel amongst the dunes and nearest private properties.
FAA has taken to advising residents to stand outside their homes during Launch Efforts, in order to save them from Flying Glass in case of said "Launch Anomalies".
The local residents are contesting a pending NPEA, contending Falcon Heavy Launches have caused Structural Cracks and Seismic Damage. SpaceX has been said to be pursuing an "Aggressive" program to purchase the nearest private residences, likely in order to moot resistance to the FAA's NPEA filings.
There's a reason Cape Canaveral provides a 6-10 mile buffer between residences and launch facilities...

Yes, it's important to get Humans back beyond LEO, and to be able to lift substantial masses to other parts of the Solar System. But do we need an Extraterrestrial Robber Baron??

[notFritzArgelander]

He's not doing it Gratis. He wants his heirs to be the Kings of Mars.

.....

Yes, it's important to get Humans back beyond LEO, and to be able to lift substantial masses to other parts of the Solar System. But do we need an Extraterrestrial Robber Baron??

Terrestrial and extraterrestrial robber barons are a sure sign that Adam Smith's conditions for free market capitalism have broken down. Robber barons extract excess value without proper restraints. There a sliding scale of abuse of workers, one extreme of which is slavery.

[KathyNS]

Upon review, the team has decided to leave this thread locked.