SpaceX Unveils Heavy-Lift Rocket Designs 248
FleaPlus writes "At the recent Joint Propulsion Conference, SpaceX's rocket development facility director Tom Markusic unveiled conceptual plans for how its current Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 commercial rockets can be evolved into heavy-lift rockets, ranging from a Falcon X capable of lifting 38,000kg to orbit, up to a 140,000kg Falcon XX (more than either the Saturn V or the 75,000kg shuttle-derived rocket Congress currently plans on having NASA spend >$13B building). SpaceX presentations also discuss a new Merlin 2 heavy-lift engine, solar-electric cargo tugs, adapting their current engines for descent/ascent vehicles fueled by Mars-derived methane, and a desire for the government to take the lead on in-space nuclear thermal propulsion while commercial focuses on launchers. In a recent interview, SpaceX CEO/CTO Elon Musk expressed his goal of lowering the price of Mars transportation enough to enable early colonization in 20 years, and his own plans for retiring to Mars."
They'll need to double that (Score:1, Funny)
To send Oprah to space
Retiring to Mars sounds like a good idea.... (Score:1, Funny)
....your income taxes as a US citizen will be lowering, since you will be out of the country :)
Retiring to Mars? (Score:2, Funny)
If he wants to die in a harsh, hostile environment, why doesn't he spend a few $billion retiring to Compton or Afghanistan?
Re:Vision (Score:4, Funny)
My vision has got me sitting on my couch in my underpants.
I didn't need that vision.
I don't always travel by rocket... (Score:5, Funny)
Stay orbital, my friends.
.
Re:Vision (Score:5, Funny)
The important thing is that those underpants are HIS underpants! Purchased by the efforts of his own labor, and not via a government handout!
Ayn Rand would be PROUD of his underpants. PROUND, I say!
<generic libertarian twaddle shouter>
Re:Name (Score:3, Funny)
How about SpaceXterminate, SpaceXtinction, SpaceXploit? They could be divisions. One kills you, one makes sure you're dead, and one converts the ruins of your puny civilization to, um, something profitable, maybe RC toy cars.
Re:Retiring to Mars sounds like a good idea.... (Score:3, Funny)
Been there, done that. [wikipedia.org]