New Mars Forums

Official discussion forum of The Mars Society and MarsNews.com

You are not logged in.

Announcement

Announcement: As a reader of NewMars forum, we have opportunities for you to assist with technical discussions in several initiatives underway. NewMars needs volunteers with appropriate education, skills, talent, motivation and generosity of spirit as a highly valued member. Write to newmarsmember * gmail.com to tell us about your ability's to help contribute to NewMars and become a registered member.

#1 2017-12-03 11:57:01

Oldfart1939
Member
Registered: 2016-11-26
Posts: 2,366

Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

Elon Musk tweeted the slippage of the long awaited first flight for Falcon Heavy to January 2018, and announced the payload: his own Cherry Red Tesla sports car! His announcement also stated that the destination would be into Mars orbit.

The man certainly has a real sense of humor! He said it would be the silliest thing possible to send in the inaugural launch; similar to the giant wheel of cheese he sent aloft in the first Dragon test flight in 2010.

Last edited by Oldfart1939 (2017-12-03 12:23:07)

Offline

#2 2017-12-03 12:11:15

RobS
Banned
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: 2002-01-15
Posts: 1,701
Website

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

I suppose someday in Muskville, the capital of Mars, there will be a museum with that car in it!

Offline

#3 2017-12-03 17:22:47

elderflower
Member
Registered: 2016-06-19
Posts: 1,262

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

why not make Russel's dream come true? Send a teapot! Maybe with a dormouse as well!

Offline

#4 2017-12-03 18:55:37

SpaceNut
Administrator
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2004-07-22
Posts: 28,750

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

Ya posted over in Space why they are the best

SpaceNut wrote:

Well that is why he can send up a Tesla Roadster with David Bowie on the stereo in the brand new rocket, known as the Falcon Heavy.

Falcon Heavy to launch next month from Apollo 11 pad at the Cape.

Musk's announcement of the planned launch of the giant rocket comes just over two months after he outlined his vision for eventually putting humans on Mars and colonizing the planet.

That project will require an even larger rocket, though. It's called the BFR, or Big Falcon Rocket, which inside the company is nicknamed the "Big F--king Rocket."

SpaceX plans to start building the first of those by the middle of next year, Musk said in late September.

He wants to land at least two of the spacecraft on Mars in 2022 carrying equipment -- and then ones transporting people in 2024.

In the meantime, the Falcon Heavy is intended to boost the amount of cargo SpaceX can take into space for its customers. The company says it will be able to take into orbit more than twice the payload -- 119,000 pounds -- of its closest rival at a third of the cost.

Offline

#5 2017-12-03 19:28:16

louis
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2008-03-24
Posts: 7,208

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

Brilliant news!  This could really catch the imagination of the public.

So if Falcon Heavy's first test flight can be into Mars orbit, is that what Space X will do with BFR as well?  Very neat and simple I guess.

As for the title of this thread "Cars to Mars" seems more appropriate. smile


Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com

Offline

#6 2020-10-11 19:29:27

SpaceNut
Administrator
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2004-07-22
Posts: 28,750

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

Offline

#7 2020-11-28 12:31:46

SpaceNut
Administrator
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2004-07-22
Posts: 28,750

Re: Falcon Heavy first flight officially in January; payload announced

Kbd512 got me thinking about the absurd costs of SLS plus engines and then of the Starships hand build of its tanks all with little 3D adaptive of the items.

Of course factory floor pictures are usually clear of most equipment and clutter.

https://www.wired.com/2012/05/the-rocke … to-bottom/

14 slides of the floor

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-next-f … ayed-2021/


So at this point the lower cost of space x is due to reuse of what does not cost large sums to make by hand it would seem.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB