This is apparently why several manufacturers consider level 3 an unacceptable point- theres too much opportunity for the human to critically lose attention and the amount of takeovers doesn’t really add convenience to that. Level 2 or 4 seem more stable- existing on either side of the human/machine divide.

Rocket manufactures had been discussing reusability into the 1990s and early 2000s, trying to learn from the Shuttle’s mistakes. The small launch market made any effort not make financial sense, but a lot of their concepts were originally developed in the 1990s and just resurrected. And yes, the space shuttle was…

The issue is the prices are not yet low enough to grow the market. SpaceX has stated that they are not lowering their reused prices any lower due to the need to recoup their investment. But in order to grow the market, you need to get about every rocket launch provider doing that cost-reduction, since launch…

The way I look at it is pretty much one of the two is maybe incremental progress, and the other is sliding into ISIS-topia... and there are really only two options. You can change either from within, but you’re probably going to have more success with one than the other. Thats the unfortunate reality of a two-party…

True, though we need to keep in mind that this turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy if everyone dislikes the GOP but won’t vote in unison- we create a world in which the Democratic party (being the entity with enough national recognition to make motions opposite to the right wing) can never win, and one we can…

So only radical change is acceptable and anything short of that will end up in a fragmented left wing base? Why not have more people run for local and state offices to maintain a power base? This would require ideological flexibility to achieve though, which may be unpalatable to the “Earn my vote!” crowd.

Maybe the solution is to find someone who has spots that the voters don’t care about. Easier to do for the right wing though.

I feel like thats what we get when only one side cares about working in good faith.

God I can already hear the cries, “But but, my vote must be EARNED! To heck with my friends who are women or minorities... I must be pandered to!”

This is whats so endlessly frustrating. They waiver and express reservations, but then vote lock-step. While everyone else is eating each other over purity.

No matter when they do it, that person will be endlessly attacked for not being “pure” enough or having voted for something slightly uncomfortable in the past. I’m afraid we’re going to hear a new wave of “Well they need to put up better candidates if they want MY vote! I’ll teach them a lesson...” no matter who it…

All they’ve talked about for 20 years is how much they hate the government and people are surprised when they get in power and immediately start dismantling it.

But tax credits are the only way that model 3 can reach “affordable” status for most. Lets also not ignore the way that Commercial Crew has been start-stop by congress, and he never put up any of his own money to help out something so critical to his vision...

Haven’t seen anything about him footing the bill yet. For all his reputation for doing so, he doesn’t seem to do so if he thinks theres a check coming his way from the Gov’t.

Anytime anyone asks why California has such strong gun laws, we should remember that this is basically why.

... somehow.

Considering that the private companies are deeply involved in this effort (except SpaceX), I’d say they’re pretty on-board with it. (Only Musk is dedicated to rushing headlong to Mars.)

While it can be nasty, no plans currently have traditional pressurized airlocks. Starting with the Constellation program, the plan has been to use SuitPorts (where the occupant enters through the backpack and the suit itself is never brought into the atmosphere) in order to avoid most of the issues.

It will basically provide a proving ground where we can try out all sorts of new technologies and strategies, proving they can work before we go farther. (In the meantime, it can change its orbit with its ion drive so it can support landings, robot landings, whatever)

Apparently he does prefer to get his news from tech blogs, so maybe.