You are not logged in.
Latest press release from Space X detailing latest NASA approvals for Space X technology confirms Space X's interest in Mars. The company's founder is quoted as saying:-
"Receiving the NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 is a significant endorsement of SpaceX's products and of our plans for the future. In addition to the fourteen missions we've sold thus far, gaining NLS approval constitutes further validation of SpaceX's technology, and opens the doors for the wide variety of NASA spacecraft to fly aboard our launch vehicles. We look forward to working with NASA to send their payloads to Earth orbit, Geostationary orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.
--Elon--"
Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com
Offline
Like button can go here
(moved from Human missions)
It's just a tad bit early for SpaceX to be talking about Mars, let's see them put something, anything into LEO first.
[color=darkred]Let's go to Mars and far beyond - triple NASA's budget ![/color] [url=irc://freenode#space] #space channel !! [/url] [url=http://www.youtube.com/user/c1cl0ps] - videos !!![/url]
Offline
Like button can go here
The Commercial communication companies are currently desperate for a launcher that will put something in the eight tons range into orbit. This is to support the new developing mobile phone and internet market in the far east. This market relies on very powerful signals to make the phones and computers smaller and these satelites to deliver this desired power have to be large.
Currently the only launcher is the Ariane 5 that is open to these companies and has the desired launch capability. But if the Falcon 9 can fly then it will have the desired capability and as a commercial launcher SpaceX will have a lot of intrested parties.
Chan eil mi aig a bheil ùidh ann an gleidheadh an status quo; Tha mi airson cur às e.
Offline
Like button can go here
(moved from Human missions)
It's just a tad bit early for SpaceX to be talking about Mars, let's see them put something, anything into LEO first.
Agreed although their confidence is admirable. 8)
Still, assuming their Falcon 9 can indeed launch a manned LEO craft, how much more 'umph' would it need beyond that to send a small probe as far as Mars? (something akin to Pathfinder we'll assume)
Offline
Like button can go here