MnAstro Forums

If you haven't seen the video of SPACE's first stage returning to Cape Canaveral, check it out on YouTube. Note the excitement at their head quarters. This is a big step in space exploration. It also contrasts with NASA's current capabilities or lack of. I can remember when the first Surveyor landed on the moon in the 1960's. I knew then that we were headed to the moon. I think the return of the first stage ranks up there as an historical point. I may be too old to see how it all plays out but the next few years should be interesting.

It's a great achievement, maybe the most important thing since Sputnik. It all depends on how much it costs to refurbish the first stage. The high cost of launch ($10,000 per pound to orbit) has made the Space Age very slow to take off. Things like this are too risky to be undertaken by today's cautious government agencies so it's good that there are a few bold billionaires out there.

Well they did it again. This time to the drone barge "Of course, I still love you", referencing the past fiery landings. You can see the replay at www.spacex.com. Note how young they are and the enthusiasm. One announcer had a tee shirt Ben H. would love. It was "Occupy Mars".