Posted on 05/12/2019 6:14:54 AM PDT by Moonman62
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has published the first official photo of the company’s near-final Starlink design and confirmed that Falcon 9 will launch a staggering 60 satellites on May 15th.
Known internally as Starlink v0.9, this mission will not be the first launch of operational satellites, but it will be the first internal SpaceX mission with a dedicated Falcon 9 launch. Additionally, the payload will be the heaviest yet launched by SpaceX, signifying an extraordinarily ambitious first step towards realizing the company’s ~12,000-satellite Starlink megaconstellation.
(Excerpt) Read more at teslarati.com ...
Compared to the thin spread we humans and our material possessions have over the landmasses of the earth, the skies can swallow up whatever tiny slivers and motes of metal we might throw up there.
60 satellites in a single launch. Amazing.
I’m old enough to remember my Dad taking me out in the back yard and pointing out a small light traversing the sky just after sunset. That small light was Sputnik; then the one and only manmade orbiting satellite.
If someone has an earth station they can, but then the country could attempt to jam the signal.
Yes he overpromises, (mostly on dates) but he delivers way more than just about anyone else.
“Yet Tesla is the leading electric car company. When Musk’s goals aren’t met he’s still far ahead of anybody else.”
Remind me again...has Tesla made a penny profit on a single car yet? And I believe Ford sells about as many vehicles in a week as Tesla does in a year.
So it all depends on what those “goals” are I guess.
“Yes he overpromises, (mostly on dates) but he delivers way more than just about anyone else.”
Delivers what, exactly???
“Yet Tesla is the leading electric car company. When Musk’s goals aren’t met he’s still far ahead of anybody else.”
I would be more impressed if those satellite, given their shape were packed in a giant PEZ type dispenser with a giant Elon Musk head popping them out of its mouth.
So how is Musk ahead of anything other than selling more cars at a loss than anyone else?
This year, Sandy has continued to speak about what he has learned from tearing down two Tesla Model 3’s. He states that the car has “military-grade” electronics, summarized why Tesla’s electric motors are so superior to those of the competition, and highlighted their electric motor leadership: “They’ve got magic, the electric motor is smaller and lighter than the competition, but outperforms everybody.”
13:00 — He mentions, “Nobody has electronics like Tesla.”
14:00 — Tesla is dropping from 1.8 km of wire in the Model 3 to less than 100 meters of wire. That is only enough for power wire, so communications has to be wireless
15:00 — He trusts “Tesla software more than anything else.”
17:00 — Tesla’s vertical integration saves it from giving up profit to suppliers.
18:00 — “If you aren’t creating the motor, battery and circuits, you aren’t a company, you are a reseller. … They have wicked smart engineers.”
20:00 — “Their engineering is to die for.” It’s turned into a money machine for Sandy, providing info on Tesla. He’s amazed at how many people want to know about Tesla.
21:30 — Sandy mocks financial analysts, saying he knows the analysts that claim they know cars, and he knows they haven’t torn apart in a car.
27:30 — Tesla circuit boards have antennas all over their boards. China is working to catch up to Tesla. GM and Ford don’t realize how far behind they are.
51:00 — Tesla’s motors are the lightest, most efficient, and most powerful.
55:00 — “I was shocked at the performance of the Model 3!”
57:00 — “I used to race cars, and if you want to go fast, you want an EV.”
58:00 — “Tesla technology is VASTLY different than everyone else’s.”
62:00 — Motor Trend journalist says “Teslas are stunning to drive.”
64:00 — Tesla builds cars that blow people away with drive quality and “bewitching” features.
65:00 — Sandy says “If I was 35 or 25, I’d buy a Tesla for the thrill of driving.”
69:00 — Super bottle integration of heating and cooling of everything is brilliant.
78:00 — “Tesla has kicked the European manufacturers in the ass, what they have accomplished is extraordinary.”
86:00 — Sandy said, “I don’t own any Tesla stock, but I think they will be a real winner.”
The article headline says “Auto Industry Expert In Lean Design, Sandy Munro”.
His opinions are very nice. Here’s some harsh reality:
Don’t get into an accident if you own a Tesla
https://forums.tesla.com/forum/forums/typical-auto-body-repair-parts-wait
How about that $1 Billion loss for 2018:
https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/30/18203886/tesla-earnings-q1-revenue-profit-record-model-3
Meanwhile, I can send you a picture of the vehicle Tesla Mobile Services uses...It’s a Ford XLT van. I’ve also seen Teslas being transported for service on a flatbed trailer towed by a Ford F350.
https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-tops-consumer-reports-owner-satisfaction-list-2019-2
Tesla customers are more satisfied than those of any other auto brand for the third consecutive year, according to Consumer Reports, which placed Tesla first on its 2019 list of auto brands ranked by owner satisfaction.
Tesla received 89 out of 100 possible points for its owner satisfaction rating, which represents an average of all of an auto brand’s models. Vehicle satisfaction scores are based on driving experience, value, comfort, styling, audio, and climate systems.
Porsche and Genesis finished second and third on the list, with 86 and 85 points, respectively. Consumer Reports compiled the list from surveys on over 500,000 vehicles.
From the press kit for tonight’s launch:
” With a flat-panel design featuring multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array, each Starlink satellite weighs approximately 227kg, allowing SpaceX to maximize mass production and take full advantage of Falcon 9’s launch capabilities. To adjust position on orbit, maintain intended altitude, and deorbit, Starlink satellites feature Hall thrusters powered by krypton. Designed and built upon the heritage of Dragon, each spacecraft is equipped with a Startracker navigation system that allows SpaceX to point the satellites with precision. Importantly, Starlink satellites are capable of tracking on-orbit debris and autonomously avoiding collision. “
That’s what I thought of too. However, it comes down to the risk/rewards thing. The Israeli moon lander launch was cheaper as it went up with a bunch of other stuff.
Back in December, SpaceX launched 64 satellites with one launch. (So I’m not sure what this is all about? I guess the “Starlink” design?)
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