I remember a time when we were gonna do shuttle launches every few weeks......
I remember a time when we were gonna do shuttle launches every few weeks ...
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I remember a time when:
1958 A.D. - Project Orion Begun.
Design and concept for nuclear explosion propelled vehicle. Concept, design and model built. System worked. Larger the better. Small 10,000 ton vehicle with crew of 150 planed, 40 million ton (= 265 supersized oil ships) interstellar vehicle next.
Motto: “Mars by 1965, Saturn by 1970.” Would cost same or less than Apollo.
1961 A.D. - Apollo Mission begins.
1964 A.D. - Project Orion Killed.
Reasons: Government inter-agency infighting, NASA Apollo conflict, perceived treaty obligations, lack of political leadership. “...the first time in modern history that a major expansion of human technology has been suppressed for political reasons.” - Freeman Dyson.
“I remember a time when we were gonna do shuttle launches every few weeks......”
SaceX launched 134 missions in 2024. That is almost 3 a week.
This approval is for the Starship. Capable of carrying 100 tons to Mars.
Website envisions 100 passengers.