Robot Rockets

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Meanwhile, in the world of robot rockets, this happened. Holy poo that looks awesome. I had never seen this angle before.

http://t.co/dIkhaLUZc8

Grasshopper 325m Test | Single Camera (Hexacopter)

On June 14, SpaceX's Grasshopper flew 325 m (1066 feet)--higher than Manhattan's Chrysler Building--before smoothly landing back on the pad.

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The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[oldwomanc6 60]

Wow! Thanks for posting that.
Amazing!

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[quade 4]

Iago

Go Elon!

Someday, somebody is going to tell me Elon Musk has a real, working Iron Man suit and I'm not going to be surprised.

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The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kallend 2,147]

quade

Meanwhile, in the world of robot rockets, this happened. Holy poo that looks awesome. I had never seen this angle before.

http://t.co/dIkhaLUZc8

Grasshopper 325m Test | Single Camera (Hexacopter)

On June 14, SpaceX's Grasshopper flew 325 m (1066 feet)--higher than Manhattan's Chrysler Building--before smoothly landing back on the pad.

Didn't the early (pre-Apollo) Moon landers do something like that?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

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"Something" like it.

DC-X also did something like it too including a very impressive horizontal translation. Ultimately did not end well.

I do not like the idea of single-engined powered descent for human flight because the failure mode is death, but it's still an impressive display.

I am intrigued by his concept of powered descent for a further generation of the Dragon capsule. I'm not sold on it for safety yet, but it's a concept worth looking into.

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The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kallend 2,147]

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I do not like the idea of single-engined powered descent for human flight because the failure mode is death, but it's still an impressive display.

Worked for Armstrong and Aldrin at Tranquility Base.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[NorrinRadd 0]

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I do not like the idea of single-engined powered descent for human flight because the failure mode is death, but it's still an impressive display.

I guess that is a little like jumping with no reserve?

Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy?

[quade 4]

kallend

***
I do not like the idea of single-engined powered descent for human flight because the failure mode is death, but it's still an impressive display.

Worked for Armstrong and Aldrin at Tranquility Base.

The Moon really gives you no other option than powered descent. If we were colonizing it and making regular trips, single-engine wouldn't be something we'd be willing to risk.

Understand, the Apollo mission was ridiculously risky and only barely possible. Absolutely no way to run a regular operation.

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The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[format 1]

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I do not like the idea of single-engined powered descent for human flight because the failure mode is death, but it's still an impressive display.
...the Apollo mission was ridiculously risky and only barely possible. Absolutely no way to run a regular operation.

A comparison to Red Bull Stratos. The uninflated balloon weighs 3,708 pounds
If they used eight baloons, it would double the weight, hence not reaching ceiling of 120,000ft.
If they wanted to reach that altitude AND be safe, I guess it would be a hundred times more expensive - impractical. I expect to see many of those unsafe enterprises before one safe.

edit: I could've be more clear. If they used an infrastructure of 8 smaller baloons instead of this one big - it would cost a doubled weight and brought safer flight but also prevent reaching enough high altitude.

[ryoder 1,590]

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***Go Elon!

Someday, somebody is going to tell me Elon Musk has a real, working Iron Man suit and I'm not going to be surprised.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/24/4653878/elon-musk-will-reveal-gesture-based-rocket-design

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[quade 4]

I . . . am not surprised!

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The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ryoder 1,590]

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I . . . am not surprised!

We have video: http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/elon-musk-waves-his-hand-and-designs-rocket-parts-out-of-thin-air

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.