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This comment does not deserve to be downvoted so far. SpaceX's policy is absolutely to move fast and iterate constantly instead of relying on hardware 'legacy'

This comment does not deserve to be downvoted so far. SpaceX's policy is absolutely to move fast and iterate constantly instead of relying on hardware 'legacy' and keeping designs static. This is a stark break from the way traditional space companies do things, and both sides have recognized that it has caused some friction with NASA as it adjusts to SpaceX's way of doing things. Dan Rasky's (excellent) oral history videos[0] of his time as NASA's liaison to SpaceX for technology transfer under the COTS program touches on this, as does SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell's oral history.[1] Blue Origin's motto, on the other hand, is Gradatim Ferociter: Step by Step, Ferociously. They are known for moving slowly and surely. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMLDAgDNOhk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMLDAgDNOhk [1] https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/C3PO/ShotwellGE/ShotwellGE_1-15-13.htm https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/C3PO/Shotwel...

kanox 8y ago
> consumers have gotten to watch crash after crash and explosion after explosion. No, it definitely deserves to be downvoted.
- rory096 8y ago
  It's a valid point. Even though we informed spaceflight observers know that these explosions were experimental (and would've happened anyway, more violently even, when boosters were expended), the average member of the public may not be familiar with the nuances of booster recovery. It's plausible that it could become a PR issue.
  - pavs 8y ago
    People watching videos on Youtube are not SpaceX consumer/customer. Or am I missing something? Here is a full SpaceX manifest both past and future: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/launches/manifest https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/launches/manifest As it stands right now, they are most likely the largest rocket company right now (or at least the top 2), they seem to be adding more order every other month. Not a sign of their customer base losing confidence in them.
    - rory096 8y ago
      This is true, of course, but I think the grandparent is talking about the far future. Eventually, if Musk's and/or Bezos' visions are to be realized, the average person will be a consumer — whether for space tourism, earth-to-earth transit, industry, or colonization.
Tepix 8y ago
New Shepard 1 crashed. There's no footage that I'm aware of. It's all about perception I guess.

kanox 8y ago

> consumers have gotten to watch crash after crash and explosion after explosion. No, it definitely deserves to be downvoted.

rory096 8y ago
It's a valid point. Even though we informed spaceflight observers know that these explosions were experimental (and would've happened anyway, more violently even, when boosters were expended), the average member of the public may not be familiar with the nuances of booster recovery. It's plausible that it could become a PR issue.
- pavs 8y ago
  People watching videos on Youtube are not SpaceX consumer/customer. Or am I missing something? Here is a full SpaceX manifest both past and future: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/launches/manifest https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/launches/manifest As it stands right now, they are most likely the largest rocket company right now (or at least the top 2), they seem to be adding more order every other month. Not a sign of their customer base losing confidence in them.
  - rory096 8y ago
    This is true, of course, but I think the grandparent is talking about the far future. Eventually, if Musk's and/or Bezos' visions are to be realized, the average person will be a consumer — whether for space tourism, earth-to-earth transit, industry, or colonization.

Tepix 8y ago

New Shepard 1 crashed. There's no footage that I'm aware of. It's all about perception I guess.