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Oh it’s definitely because of this... that’s why I think Spacex was right to pursue a path where each flight gets considerably cheaper with reuse and to prove t

by mattrp 7y ago

Oh it’s definitely because of this... that’s why I think Spacex was right to pursue a path where each flight gets considerably cheaper with reuse and to prove the platform with cargo rather than pursue space tourism. Now they have a flight proven business and can work on the hard stuff. Each time a broken timer doesn’t work for spacex, as long as the rocket is recovered, they basically lose the cost of the capsule and the fuel. Every time Boeing fails, it’s what? $100 million (I don’t have a source for that)... spacex could have iterated already and have a man in space but nasa is worried about protecting Boeing’s ego that they are slowing spacex’s cadence... maybe that’s not fair... I get that nasa also is not an agile org so it needs time to absorb and analyze findings too. Regardless, at this point, I think it’s clear that nasa is propping up a failed program at Boeing and the sooner they deal with it and SLS, the sooner we can get on to actual space exploration.

rst 7y ago
The cost of a new-built capsule is likely more than the cost of the rocket, for both companies. Though Boeing may not be out that money in this case -- the CST-100 is supposed to be reusable, so there's at least the prospect of relaunching the same capsule if this one lands safely (and they will try to get it back on the ground even if ISS rendezvous is no longer possible). As for SpaceX's cadence, one of those NASA-mandated tests, which was thought to be low-risk beforehand, did blow up the capsule. That sort of thing makes it a little awkward to be critical of the test requirements afterward. And while I am also very much a fan of the "cheap iterations" approach up to a point, it's less appropriate once people are on the craft and their lives are at stake.
- mattrp 7y ago
  My understanding is once the capsules splash down that’s it for the capsule as a passenger ferry. Does Boeing get to reuse theirs? I lost track of the final resolution on the stand test but if I recall I don’t think that was intended to be low risk..they shook it until something broke if I recall. But even so wouldn’t you count that as an iteration?
  - rst 7y ago
    Boeing does get to reuse theirs. SpaceX is ultimately planning to reuse them as well, but is planning a new capsule each flight for the initial contract while negotiating recertification requirements with NASA. (That's what they did for cargo dragon as well -- they're reusing those now, but it took a while.)

by mattrp 7y ago

rst 7y ago

The cost of a new-built capsule is likely more than the cost of the rocket, for both companies. Though Boeing may not be out that money in this case -- the CST-100 is supposed to be reusable, so there's at least the prospect of relaunching the same capsule if this one lands safely (and they will try to get it back on the ground even if ISS rendezvous is no longer possible). As for SpaceX's cadence, one of those NASA-mandated tests, which was thought to be low-risk beforehand, did blow up the capsule. That sort of thing makes it a little awkward to be critical of the test requirements afterward. And while I am also very much a fan of the "cheap iterations" approach up to a point, it's less appropriate once people are on the craft and their lives are at stake.

mattrp 7y ago
My understanding is once the capsules splash down that’s it for the capsule as a passenger ferry. Does Boeing get to reuse theirs? I lost track of the final resolution on the stand test but if I recall I don’t think that was intended to be low risk..they shook it until something broke if I recall. But even so wouldn’t you count that as an iteration?
- rst 7y ago
  Boeing does get to reuse theirs. SpaceX is ultimately planning to reuse them as well, but is planning a new capsule each flight for the initial contract while negotiating recertification requirements with NASA. (That's what they did for cargo dragon as well -- they're reusing those now, but it took a while.)