A billion-dollar publicity stunt? Considering how science, technology, employment, and economics was advanced by this launch, we certainly need more of these “publicity stunts”.
If he launched a 1 ton concrete block (like NASA did for test launches), would it be a publicity stunt? Have to launch the new rocket for the first time, nobody wants to put a serious payload on untested rockets, and something has to be launched as payload. So what if it’s something fun - like a car - instead of just a concrete block?
The thing is that some people have been poo pooing this launch because the center core booster was lost and Spaceman’s Tesla didn’t end up on the exact elliptical Mars to Sun orbit as intended, but I saw an interview with Musk prior to and after the launch where he said something to the effect of, “it would be a success as long as it lifts off and doesn’t blow up on the launch pad”. So as far as I can tell it was a great success and the side by side landing of the two booster rockets was spectacular.
Many people don’t remember or are unaware how many tests of the Atlas rocket either blew up on the launch pad or shortly after. That’s how it got the nickname the “At Last Rocket”.
Right. Perhaps rather than boost one man’s ego and represent a single company for all those tax dollars he’s using to get that rocket into flight, perhaps he should have ...
...ya know, I have a little saying for folks like you. My thought was interrupted by a biological process, stimulated by your perverse logic.
I may or may not return to finish my thought, but I have a request: Can you elaborate more on your Muskisms tomorrow morning? You’re the best fiber I’ve had in weeks.