SpaceX Dragon As Mars Science Lander?

FleaPlus writes "Besides using the SpaceX Dragon capsule to deliver supplies to the ISS this year and astronauts in following years, the company wants to use Dragon as a platform for propulsively landing science payloads on Mars and other planets. Combined with their upcoming Falcon Heavy rocket, 'a single Dragon mission could land with more payload than has been delivered to Mars cumulatively in history.' According to CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX is working with NASA's Ames Research Center on a mission design concept that could launch in as early as 5-6 years."

Re:SpaceX, Tesla

[AikonMGB]

And not just their own cars, the Model S, either. Tesla's business plan from the beginning was to develop the drive train technology and sell it to big-brand manufacturers. The Roadster -- i.e. the development of this technology -- was the first step. We've now seen the second step with the all-electric RAV4 from Toyota, which uses a Tesla drive train.

Tesla is far from folding, my friend.

Aikon-

Re:Compared to the Saturn V...

[Karrde45]

According to Wikipedia: "In 1969, the cost of a Saturn V including launch was US $ 185 million (inflation adjusted US$ 1.11 billion in 2011)." According to SpaceX (projections, since obviously FH hasn't flown yet): "With Falcon Heavy priced at $80-125M per launch SpaceX has the potential to provide the US government significant value" So 1/2 the performance at 1/10th the cost.