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After Elon Musk explained that it would be too dangerous to outsource the production to China because "rocket technology is [...] considered an advanced weapons

by dsrguru 14y ago

After Elon Musk explained that it would be too dangerous to outsource the production to China because "rocket technology is [...] considered an advanced weapons technology," I'm surprised the interviewer didn't ask about potential dangers in the privatization of advanced weapons.

rangibaby 14y ago
I'm pretty sure they are all privatized already, and have "Made in USA" stickers on them, which might answer your question. Chinese hackers gaining access to poorly secured systems has been more of an issue; although this could be a ruse [1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_pipeline_sabotage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_pipeline_sabotage
Dn_Ab 14y ago
I do not agree with your interpretation. What he said was: >>>"There's no Foxconn in the rocket business. And rocket technology is also considered an advanced weapons technology so you can't really have such a situation - so in our case manufacturing is necessary"<<< To me his use of the word "considered" is meant to divorce his opinion from the stated fact. It does not reveal whether he agrees with it or not. To me it looks like he is giving one reason why a Foxconn of Rockets is very unlikely. Not espousing any opinions on what is or is not dangerous.
deleted 14y ago
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johntb86 14y ago
I doubt that Mr. Musk considers it to be advanced weapons technology (particularly given that China already has ICBMs), but the US government sure does: http://www.fas.org/news/ukraine/p5s1.htm http://www.fas.org/news/ukraine/p5s1.htm .
- jasonwatkinspdx 14y ago
  Cost vs impact of ballistic missiles shapes current military strategy. A good example is how China's demonstration of a high maneuverability re-entry vehicle has shifted the navy back into building more destroyers to raise the odds of interception. From this perspective, technology that reduces the cost to lob a warhead reliably is still advanced weapons technology. But I also don't think fear should hold back progress.

by dsrguru 14y ago

rangibaby 14y ago

I'm pretty sure they are all privatized already, and have "Made in USA" stickers on them, which might answer your question. Chinese hackers gaining access to poorly secured systems has been more of an issue; although this could be a ruse [1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_pipeline_sabotage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_pipeline_sabotage

Dn_Ab 14y ago

I do not agree with your interpretation. What he said was: >>>"There's no Foxconn in the rocket business. And rocket technology is also considered an advanced weapons technology so you can't really have such a situation - so in our case manufacturing is necessary"<<< To me his use of the word "considered" is meant to divorce his opinion from the stated fact. It does not reveal whether he agrees with it or not. To me it looks like he is giving one reason why a Foxconn of Rockets is very unlikely. Not espousing any opinions on what is or is not dangerous.

deleted 14y ago

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johntb86 14y ago

I doubt that Mr. Musk considers it to be advanced weapons technology (particularly given that China already has ICBMs), but the US government sure does: http://www.fas.org/news/ukraine/p5s1.htm http://www.fas.org/news/ukraine/p5s1.htm .

jasonwatkinspdx 14y ago
Cost vs impact of ballistic missiles shapes current military strategy. A good example is how China's demonstration of a high maneuverability re-entry vehicle has shifted the navy back into building more destroyers to raise the odds of interception. From this perspective, technology that reduces the cost to lob a warhead reliably is still advanced weapons technology. But I also don't think fear should hold back progress.