SpaceX plans to send two people around the Moon in late 2018

[RDoug]

No way they can train these passengers to the level of astronaut in the next year or so.

Sure they can. Remember how NASA trained their first astronauts? The furry ones?

Push this button when that light goes red, get a banana. Good boy (pat on head, scratch under the chin). Now, here's the next lesson.

 

[mshunter]

If I were spacex and the faa denied the permit, I think I'd be inclined to move the launch 12 miles offshore and very publicly tell the faa where they can shove it.

I'd talk to Mexico.

 

[turbojet28]

Will the Dragon 2 capsule even have the capability to be "flown" conventionally if the automated systems fail to the extent necessary that a highly-experienced astronaut would need to step in and save the day?

 

[mshunter]

This sounds amazing but I think the whole lack of a crew would stop me. I'm all for taking risks but not so much the helplessness of something going wrong and having no clue what to do about it. No way they can train these passengers to the level of astronaut in the next year or so.

I don't think they are planning to. Technology has evolved far enough that they don't really need to.

 

[NovemberEcho]

I don't think they are planning to. Technology has evolved far enough that they don't really need to.

Until it goes wrong. They can't even make self driving cars that don't occasionally mistake a semi for the sky and drive into it.

 

[MikeD]

 

[mshunter]

Until it goes wrong. They can't even make self driving cars that don't occasionally mistake a semi for the sky and drive into it.

Then don't go. You can stay at home, and I'm sure nobody would mind.

 

[NovemberEcho]

Then don't go. You can stay at home, and I'm sure nobody would mind.

No need to be a dick about it.

 

[pete2800]

If I were spacex and the faa denied the permit, I think I'd be inclined to move the launch 12 miles offshore and very publicly tell the faa where they can shove it.

That would be amazing.

 

[dustoff17]

Sure they can. Remember how NASA trained their first astronauts? The furry ones?

Push this button when that light goes red, get a banana. Good boy (pat on head, scratch under the chin). Now, here's the next lesson.

Hell for a banana, a pat on the head, and a chin scratch, I'll go!!

Seriously, I would hop on board this thing in a heartbeat if given the chance....

 

[derg]

Then don't go. You can stay at home, and I'm sure nobody would mind.

No need to be a dick about it.

Hug it out, girls.

 

[Finny]

Hug it out, girls.

There's no space for hugging in space.

 

[mshunter]

Hug it out, girls.

Don't assume my gender!

 

[mshunter]

No need to be a dick about it.

It wasn't meant to be a dick comment, but after reading it, it kind of was. Sorry bud.

 

[SeanD]

If anyone has proven the doubters wrong, it's Elon Musk. What an awesome opportunity this would be.

 

[RDoug]

There's no space for hugging in space.

In space, nobody can hear you hug.

 

[NovemberEcho]

It wasn't meant to be a dick comment, but after reading it, it kind of was. Sorry bud.

You triggered me.

 

[Tyler Pinkerton]

Hopefully Harrison Ford isn't making the flight plan for this... otherwise they might not come back...

 

[Richman]

I don't think they are planning to. Technology has evolved far enough that they don't really need to.

Most. Famous. Last. Words. Ever!

 

[Richman]

NASA's first manned Orion mission is actually planned to be the farthest man has ever traveled. It will mimic Apollo 8 and SpaceX's missions, but take a wider path around the moon, going further out than we have ever traveled before. First is the test flight of the SLS and Orion together, which is planned for 2018. Then it'll be their first manned Orion and SLS mission in 2022.

It's been NASA's plan for a while to have private companies take over supplying the ISS and performing most of the low Earth orbit work. That frees up the agency to work on launching into deep space like the planned asteroid and Mars missions

Hopefully they call it something other than Ranger 3...