One step closer to a robust competitive space industry
Not surprisingly, last night’s successful launch of Falcon 9 has produced a large number of news articles. Rather than list them all, go to spacetoday.net for the links.
However, I think Clark Lindsey, in describing Elon Musk’s reaction to the successful launch, captured the most important aspect of last night’s success:
The briefing was quite interesting but I didn’t have the energy to take notes. Elon is clearly elated and believes that regardless of how the rest of the mission goes, this was an historic launch in that it proves the Falcon 9 is a robust and viable vehicle, and this in turn proves the capabilities of SpaceX and commercial spaceflight in general.
While Dragon will certainly be a game changer in the U.S.’s manned spaceflight efforts, the fact that Falcon 9 has once again proved itself to be a reliable launch vehicle means that SpaceX stands to make a lot of money putting into orbit its manifest of private commercial satellites, as per already signed contracts. For Musk and SpaceX, this means the company is now poised to become a dominate force in the rocket launch industry.
The rest of the aerospace launch industry will have to find ways to compete, which means they will have to find ways to lower their launch costs to match SpaceX’s. Otherwise, they will not be able to find customers and will go out of business.
The lower costs in turn will mean it will be possible for more satellites to go into orbit. Beforehand, the high cost of launch has precluded the launch of many worthwhile projects, both commercial, educational, and scientific. Lower costs will make these projects affordable, which will thus increase the customer base for the launch market. And with more customers, more launch companies will be able to make a profit, even though they will be charging less per launch.
All told, last night was a very significant moment in the history of space exploration. The future indeed does look bright.
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
P.O.Box 1262
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.
Readers: the rules for commenting!
No registration is required. I welcome all opinions, even those that strongly criticize my commentary.
However, name-calling and obscenities will not be tolerated. First time offenders who are new to the site will be warned. Second time offenders or first time offenders who have been here awhile will be suspended for a week. After that, I will ban you. Period.
Note also that first time commenters as well as any comment with more than one link will be placed in moderation for my approval. Be patient, I will get to it.