SpaceX

[Cosmacelf]

I agree Johan. But I wouldn't discount SpaceX from eventually being a Boeing competitor. I remember Elon saying that space lift pricing could come down to the $100,000 range when they have full reusability - at that point, you are cost competitive with at least the private jet industry.

 

[Grendal]

They are worried and rightly so ... SpaceX is cutting the cost a lot and Ariane with multinational democratic building with appeasing government participants instead of cost efficiency will not be able to compete at some point. Once SpaceX can ramp up the rocket production and has enough sites to launch regularly they'll undercut the costs even more and getting the reusability on track will make it essentially game-over for the competition.

Now monopoly is never good so I do hope others keep their efforts going, but SpaceX does have a clear path towards the future with increasing cash flow and gaining better and better competitive edge.

Not being an aerospace engineer myself, I have to rely on what someone more knowledgeable about such things has to post. While I was in a commenting war with an idiot that thinks SpaceX, like Tesla, is only mooching off government programs and would not be in business without "greenie" support, I came across a commenter that seemed to know a lot about the aerospace industry and he mentioned a rocket engine designed by Rocketdyne for the SLI (Space Launch Initiative) as an alternative to the RD-180 that is used in the Atlas V. In researching the details of that engine I was surprised to find that it was designed with reusability in mind.

RS-84

I did not know that anyone else was making a reusability attempt besides SpaceX. The RS-84 was intended to be reused 100 times.

Maybe the costs might be more than SpaceX but there are alternatives that can be tried. I suppose up until now there was no motivation to lower costs.

 

[jerry33]

Maybe the costs might be more than SpaceX but there are alternatives that can be tried. I suppose up until now there was no motivation to lower costs.

I believe it's more like "Rockets are such risky critters that it's best to stick with what works rather than try something new if you are an established rocket manufacturer".

 

[twinklejet]

I'm in the US now, flew here in one of the new Boeing Dreamliners. There was an intro movie clip on the screens where Boeing very proudly explained about all the new features of the Dreamliner: no window blinds but electrochromatic window, new design of the luggage racks, better lighting, a tad lower fuel consumption. The plane is nice but really it's not much different from a 747 built in the 70's. While I listened to the presentation all I could think was "You guys [Boeing+Airbus] don't know how lucky you are that Elon doesn't have time right now to do his electric plane". I'm absolutely 100% positive Elon/SpaceX/Tesla or a newly formed company could dominate the comercial airplane market within 10 years. These old dinosaurs wouldn't know what hit them.

Airbus is already working on electric planes.

 

[Royal TS(LA)]

Wow. I just read the "competitive development" and "TSLA movements" threads. In these a very clear and concise pictures if forming of Tesla wiping the floor with the competetion. Then I come to this thread and realize that this is even more so obvious with SpaceX vs. ULA and the EU guys.

I'm in the US now, flew here in one of the new Boeing Dreamliners. There was an intro movie clip on the screens where Boeing very proudly explained about all the new features of the Dreamliner: no window blinds but electrochromatic window, new design of the luggage racks, better lighting, a tad lower fuel consumption. The plane is nice but really it's not much different from a 747 built in the 70's. While I listened to the presentation all I could think was "You guys [Boeing+Airbus] don't know how lucky you are that Elon doesn't have time right now to do his electric plane". I'm absolutely 100% positive Elon/SpaceX/Tesla or a newly formed company could dominate the comercial airplane market within 10 years. These old dinosaurs wouldn't know what hit them.

Those dinosaurs have giant inertia. Lots of engineers doing the same thing over and over again, for 40 years. In my company, they recognized the fact that stubborn or outright mentally lazy old personnel is hindering progress in many places. So, lots of hiring of fresh blood going on. Go forward, or stay behind .

 

[Student_Forever]

Airbus is already working on electric planes.

Are they going to buy those batteries from Tesla?..

 

[Grendal]

SpaceX Aims to Boost Rocket Production to Two Per Month by Year’s End | SpaceNews.com

SpaceX is ramping up production.

 

[scaesare]

Soon when talking about "The Gigafactory" around here we'll have to clarify, "You mean the battery one or the rocket one?"

 

[Lump]

I have learned a lot about SpaceX by watching videos of Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX, she was at the Atlantic Council's Captains of Industry series yesterday & covered all aspects of their business & made several comments regarding ULA & the Air Force lawsuit,

Discussion with Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX - YouTube

 

[Lump]

CNBC ranked SpaceX #1 disruptive private company, EM will we interviewed on Closing Bell today.

CNBC Disruptor 50

 

[Mario Kadastik]

Inmarsat has secured a Falcon Heavy launch and options for further launches

Inmarsat appoints SpaceX for future satellite launches - Inmarsat

 

[aronth5]

FAA approves SpaceX application to launch rockets from Cameron County beach

http://www.themonitor.com/breaking/faa-approves-spacex-application-to-launch-rockets-from-cameron-county/article_88068faa-078b-11e4-bbba-0017a43b2370.html

 

[dpeilow]

The SpaceX effect

iMirus Online Digital Reader

 

[GSP]

The SpaceX effect

iMirus Online Digital Reader

Thanks for posting this. Not only was "The SpaceX effect" article good, but also the following article "Satellite builders innovate..." discusses the increasing use of electric drive and hybrid electric/chemical drive reducing satellite mass or allowing more transponders.

GSP

 

[Grendal]

We have two major tests happening at the beginning of next year: The Dragon Inflight Abort and the Falcon Heavy.

Upcoming Launches | SpaceX Stats

If there aren't any satellites to be deployed during either of these then they should also be a major testbed for reusability. I'd hate to lose 3 first stages testing the F9H. I'm not sure how much NASA has given SpaceX for Dragon testing so I'd hate to lose that first stage as well. A perfect test flight for reusability if you ask me to have both the first stage and the Dragon V2 return for a landing.

 

[palmer_md]

I'm bummed that they moved the Falcon Heavy test launch from Vandenberg to Cape. I was going to head over to watch when it was scheduled for this year at VAFB. I'm sure I'll see one in person someday, but it would have been cool to see the first one.

 

[Grendal]

It looks like SpaceX laid off over 150 people due to bad performance reviews in the last week. As the article says, they plan on hiring quite a few more than they lost.

SpaceX Reduces Headcount, But Aims To Expand Net Employment This Year - Forbes

 

[Cosmacelf]

Yes, this seems to be how Elon likes to run his companies. He isn't slow to get rid of non performers.

 

[ggies07]

Yes, this seems to be how Elon likes to run his companies. He isn't slow to get rid of non performers.

Which makes sense, but would be scary and motivating at the same time. Hahaha.

 

[Grendal]

SpaceX Will Dominate The Solar System In 2100 - Business Insider

Plans for post-Mars.