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It's a key part of the proposal. The propellant is shuttled over to the spaceship in orbit via multiple runs of a refuelling rocket. I guess the downside of c
by YZF 10y ago
It's a key part of the proposal. The propellant is shuttled over to the spaceship in orbit via multiple runs of a refuelling rocket.
I guess the downside of constructing or assembling anything anywhere but earth today is that it's going to be a lot more expensive and complicated. Perhaps once Mars has some critical mass the construction can shift to there as the gravity is lower.
The moon is farther away than orbit and also doesn't really have a lot in the way of accessible natural resources. Elon touched briefly on the topic of a moon settlement...
Despite all the talk of a space elevator I think it's still science fiction. Elon's plan is all based on existing technology...
- FullMtlAlcoholc 10y agoI guess I was imagining more of an Interplanetary Transport System that was at least self-sustaining if not profitable. The lack of resources on the Moon could be solved by finding an appropriate near-earth asteroid to mine. The ideal 1st candidate based on potential mineral wealth ($87 billion, but I don't believe those numbers are very accurate) and proximity to earth (a measly .1au, or 9 million miles during its solar periohelion :) is Anteru I believe. Here we are, on the precipice of colonizing Mars in possibly my 80 yr old father's lifetime, witnessing perhaps mankind's greatest and boldest feat yet and I'm getting greedy and thinking "Yawn, who cares. Let me know when the Interplanetary TRADE System is profitable and indefinitely self-sustaining." I'd try to visit Mars at least once . When it reaches a level of infrastructure and economic development of early 18th century British or other Euro colonies is when it's looking likely I would consider making a one way trip there.