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Technically we’re about to officially launch the commercial space travel service that is not even in space. Anyhow, what was the name of the second guy to step

• _Microft 5y ago
  Buzz Aldrin but I guess you knew that already ;)
  • ddmma 5y ago
    That will be Jeff’s position as well ;)
    • _Microft 5y ago
      Jeff Who? ^^ After the recent tweets of Blue Origin [0], I would have answered "Salty Jeff" but they turned the corner with [1]. [0] https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1413521631717122059 https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1413521631717122059 [1] https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1413942794943598594 https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1413942794943598594
• ianai 5y ago
  This meme of "not even in space" seems less of a practical definition and more of an egotistical point. My understanding of the company's intention is to go far enough to realize the benefits of dramatically reduced drag. Something like a classic 80/20 flex.
  • ddmma 5y ago
    Space might loose that virginity status regardless the size.
  • imglorp 5y ago
    The 80km line can actually be measured objectively by physical properties and the FAI is considering making that their definition. https://www.fai.org/news/statement-about-karman-line https://www.fai.org/news/statement-about-karman-line https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576518308221?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009457651... etc
    • ianai 5y ago
      Just for reference, the news just said they’re going a little over 90km up.
      • imglorp 5y ago
        Specifically for VG, it might be trivial to add a little extra thrust--some external drop tanks or small SRB's for example--and hit that line just to match Bezos.
    • mannykannot 5y ago
      As your 2nd. reference shows, there are many objective facts to base a decision on, but drawing any particular line ultimately has an irreducible arbitrary element. Also, when defining spaceflight, one could add an orbital velocity requirement - after all, a falling brick is not normally considered to be flying (even the phrase 'flying debris' implies some lateral motion.) What counts is being able to persuade other people. It looks like the 80km faction is succeeding with the FAI.
      • _moof 5y ago
        The Kármán line isn't arbitrary - or at least it wasn't when Kármán first conceived of it. It's supposed to be the altitude at which centrifugal force becomes more significant than aerodynamic lift. That's a definite altitude with significant implications. Whether this definition is meaningful for a suborbital flight is debatable.
        • mannykannot 5y ago
          Yes, but, like all the other factual bases for a definition, it is a concept that does not yield an exact number.
          • _moof 5y ago
            Er, not really. There is a specific, identifiable altitude where this happens.