Posted on 02/18/2018 6:49:57 AM PST by Elderberry
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket managed a successful takeoff in early 2018, orbiting the Earth with a Tesla car inside and completing its in-space maneuvers, albeit with a bumpy landing. The company can rest on its laurels, right? Hardly.
That was certainly big news for the consumer space industry (which is now a real thing!), and promises interesting developments for the future. But SpaceX has grander plans, and is now primarily focused on BFR—which raises the question, what even is BFR? ICYMI, we’ve got an FAQ just for that question!
The BFR is an in-development, privately owned rocket that’s designed to go to Mars. The name is traditionally assumed to mean “Big F**king Rocket,” although there are signs that SpaceX is stepping back from this; they really meant it to stand for “Big Falcon Rocket,” they claim — for obvious reasons.
There aren’t many facts about the BFR available, but we do know that it’s designed to be around 350 feet tall, with an incredible 10.8 million pounds of thrust, which is a lot more than any rocket NASA has created. Notably, it’s also designed to be reusable, with a docking and redeploying system that would theoretically allow the rocket to keep traveling back and forth from Mars.
What’s the difference between Falcon Heavy and BFR?
Falcon Heavy is a very powerful rocket that’s being tested for basic space-related tasks, and obviously there’s already a model capable of entering orbit. The BFR is still a work in progress, and it’s a significantly more powerful rocket that is specifically designed to reach Mars.
The two rockets do appear to have a lot in common, however. SpaceX has been working on several rocket models lately, including Falcon Heavy, Falcon 9, and Dragon, all projects in the same general pool.
(Excerpt) Read more at digitaltrends.com ...
The name is traditionally assumed to mean “Big F**king Rocket,” although there are signs that SpaceX is stepping back from this; they really meant it to stand for “Big Falcon Rocket,” they claim — for obvious reasons.
Being a bit more serious, the BFR might be great for going to Mars, but I think that it will be far more beneficial - both commercially and for humanity - to have a fleet of them bringing large loads to near-Earth orbit for factories and living quarters. That will, IMHO, make space self-sustaining (and more) far sooner.
Don’t explain, just let everyone wonder. The prudes can believe the “Falcon” bit if they want to, but everyone knows the truth. Anyway, Trump is the best at breaking the ice on what everyone is thinking, but afraid to say....
Kind of like the B-52 being referred to by the acronym BUFF. Big Ugly Fat F*&%er.
I assume there will be something left of Space X after Elon has been institutionalized... whether it be in a prison, or a mental facility.
That day will come eventually.... How many more Tesla roll out delays can be announced before they figure out how badly he has mismanaged Tesla. Billions in government subsidies can only sustain the facade of success for so long.
In Musk’s interview after the Falcon Heavy launch, my impression is he wants to get away from the BFR name.
I think he would like to go back to Interplanetary Transport.
The great thing about BFR is it’s designed to be so economical that it can also launch smaller payloads cheaper than anybody else. It’s intended to replace the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and do Saturn V class payloads.
Sounds like you’ve got a bad case of Musk Derangement Syndrome.
There is a good biography of him out there. He’s not perfect, but he’s not the person you think he is.
I just read your page. Nathan Hale was “hanged”, not “hung”.
Your grammar is about as impressive as your objectivity.
Since I was in grade school, with the TV rolled into the classroom to watch Alan Shephard’s Mercury flight, I hope to be around to see Space X’s success with the larger rocket.
BFR for the Rocket and BUFF for the B52. That is the English language at it’s best.
SPACEX SENIOR BAN
SpaceX bans older STEM workers as the SpaceX youtube video shows. The Senior Ban is a fundamental core problem at SpaceX. This explains the 2 major failures of the Falcon Heavy rocket.
Let us just hide the problem like it doesn’t exist.
Does a wealthy adventurer really want to ride into space on an unreliable SPACEX KIDDIE ROCKET??
Which was in part: A statue of Nathan Hale is erected in front of the CIA headquarters. He was hung...
Cannot help but recall... 
that old line from Blazing Saddles:
Charlie: They said you was hung.
Bart: And they was right.
So, here is to... 
being right!
Or from the another Mel Brooks' movie - History of the World, Part 1:
Empress Nympho: Oh, Competence, what will happen if they catch the slave?
Competence: If they catch him, he's hung!
Empress Nympho: (Laughing) Not necessarily!
Whoa! I was writing my direct experience interviewing with them while you wrote this... Yes. It’s true. No one over 40 need apply at SpaceX or Tesla. There are exceptions, but not many.
Author Topic: BFR or BFS first or both? (Read 6913 times)
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44575.0
Oh he does hire contractors over 40, but even then very few of them over 40 at SpaceX specifically. I didn’t see one person over 35 when I was at one of their facilities. Being interviewed by a 24 year old for a high level position was... awkward.
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