Highlights from Elon Musk’s Reddit session yesterday
Link here. Musk focused a lot on the technical engineering stuff that the geeks love. The take-away is that development is proceeding on the big rocket that will make the Falcon Heavy seem small, and that they are definitely incorporating the idea of point-to-point Earth transportation into its design.
Let me add that Musk needs to come up with a usable name for his big new rocket. A name that includes an obscenity, as it does now, is not good marketing. And if it is, then we are closer to the coming dark age than I can possibly imagine.
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Link here. Musk focused a lot on the technical engineering stuff that the geeks love. The take-away is that development is proceeding on the big rocket that will make the Falcon Heavy seem small, and that they are definitely incorporating the idea of point-to-point Earth transportation into its design.
Let me add that Musk needs to come up with a usable name for his big new rocket. A name that includes an obscenity, as it does now, is not good marketing. And if it is, then we are closer to the coming dark age than I can possibly imagine.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
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Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
It’s interesting that BFS can do SSTO on its own. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it would have enough fuel to land.
“Big Falcon Rocket.”
Yes, it does need another name, and “Eagle” has been used already.
Still, you have to admit that Musk is sitting in the catbird seat.
Ahhhhhh….. chill out…..
It’s a nerd friendly reference to the BFG in doom… ( the first first player perspective computer shoot ’em up)
I’m sure it will be renamed by the time it becomes anywhere close to commercial, but for now Musk is pitching to his audience… and I gotta be honest… I’m sitting there…. the name is hilarious, in matching with the ambition…. just enjoy the rather clever uplifted finger to the rest of the launch industry for what it is….
( while admitting if it wasn’t for the schoolboy attitude of “F# you”, we wouldn’t finally be rushing past the “holding pattern” we’ve been putting up with for way too many years…. ;-) )
He needs to name it BTB
Ferrari announced they’re coming out with an SUV and calling it an “FUV”.
There have been times I’ve muttered that to SUV drivers who are too busy on their phones etc to drive but never thought it would entice someone to drop 200 grand+ on a fancy truck!
I can’t say I have a problem with BFR: a little fun and edgy enough to be cool with the slide-rule folks. Diana Wilson has helpfully supplied the ‘G’ version. In private space, I’d say Musk leads the pack for BDH status.
@Calvin G Dodge
It’s interesting that BFS can do SSTO on its own. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it would have enough fuel to land.
That is standard Musk strategy: Total dominance in every respect.
The upper stage is of course dimensioned to launch (at least 20 tons) of payload mass to orbit cheaper than any other launcher can do, even without its first stage. It’s designed to launch from Mars anyway, so why not make it much better than any rocket ever made for use on Earth too? It would seem stupid not to do that.
…standard Musk strategy….
“Lithium”
Evanescence
https://youtu.be/PJGpsL_XYQI
Dirty minds… there is nothing obscene about big falcon rocket. Is firetruck obscene? (A word that begins with’F’ and ends with…)