SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin New Glenn thread 🚀

[Lazaran]

But you're trying to compare it to a vessel which can hold around 100 people.

Yeah, I am.

Doubling the passenger occupancy of a DSV is a monumental task / feat.

Doing it right is an even more monumental task / feat.



The Space shuttle could carry eight astronaut without utilizing the cargo bay.

“Starship” is a similar progression from the Space Shuttle as “Titan” was from the “Alvin” (an earlier DSV.)

The parallels between “Titan” and “Starship” are quite striking, really.

Even the “visionaries” behind the two projects are (were) quite similar in some significant ways.

 

[Politruk]

This is a classic tech-bro technique: Invent use cases for a sexy new tech which don't match up to what the market wants or needs. We're seeing this game play out right now with the AI bubble. All the AI boosters are scrambling to find some use for AI to justify the billions spent on research and the damage it does to the planet.

AI research is worthwhile! Can a Roomba rise up and turn on its makers?! Can it?!

 

[John_von_Neumann]

It's true that some tech bros and entrepreneurs are in search of a niche for their product. But the applications of generative AI (and AI in general) really are practically limitless.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

It's true that some tech bros and entrepreneurs are in search of a niche for their product. But the applications of generative AI (and AI in general) really are practically limitless.

Such as?

 

[John_von_Neumann]

Such as?

AI is used by pharmaceutical researchers to predict and screen toxic molecules.

Google researchers created an AI for weather forecasting and storm prediction that's faster and cheaper than traditional methods.

Microsoft research created an AI for materials science which discovers material for more efficient solar energy production.

AlphaFold solved the protein folding problem.

Etc. etc. etc.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

AI is used by pharmaceutical researchers to predict and screen toxic molecules.

Google researchers created an AI for weather forecasting and storm prediction that's faster and cheaper than traditional methods.

Microsoft research created an AI for materials science which discovers material for more efficient solar energy production.

AlphaFold solved the protein folding problem.

Etc. etc. etc.

I'll acknowledge that pattern-recognition AI is a useful tool for sifting through lots of data quickly. The problem is with generative AI which is being sold as an easy way to produce art, software, or summaries of knowledge. No one asked for the internet to be flooded with AI-generated slop, but that's what's being sold anyway.

 

[John_von_Neumann]

I'll acknowledge that pattern-recognition AI is a useful tool for sifting through lots of data quickly. The problem is with generative AI which is being sold as an easy way to produce art, software, or summaries of knowledge. No one asked for the internet to be flooded with AI-generated slop, but that's what's being sold anyway.

I won't deny for a second the multitude of ethical questions surrounding AI. Boosters of the dead internet theory are having a heyday.

Some of the examples I gave are generative AI (like those proposing new materials or molecules, some weather forecasting AI though not necessarily Google's). Generative AI like large language models have been used in math and physics research.

 

[Politruk]

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https://cdn.prod.dailykos.com/images/1377856/story_image/TMW2024-12-23colorXL.jpg?1734123179

 

[Politruk]

https://cdn.prod.dailykos.com/images/1371551/story_image/TMW2024-12-02colorXL.jpg?1732393751

 

[Politruk]

[TR]
[TD]Machine Learning Captcha[/TD]
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[TR]
[TD]https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/01/machine_learning_captcha.png[/TD]
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[Politruk]

[TR]
[TD]Skynet[/TD]
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[TR]
[TD]https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/e/ec/skynet.png[/TD]
[/TR]

 

[RoryN]

I'm sure Musk tweeted this to Jared Isaacman already...

Phasing out the SLS and Orion programs and embracing Starship

https://thespacereview.com/article/4924/1

 

[RoryN]

Boeing has officially fumbled the ball.

Another step towards the SpaceX takeover of NASA:

Boeing's Starliner losses top $2 billion after spacecraft program reports worst year yet

Since 2014, when NASA awarded Boeing with a nearly $5 billion fixed-price contract to develop Starliner, the company has recorded losses on the program almost every year.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/bu...on-spacecraft-program-reports-wors-rcna190673

 

[RoryN]

As predicted. Tick tock...

Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts

The primary contractor for the Space Launch System rocket, Boeing, is preparing for the possibility that NASA cancels the long-running program.

On Friday, with less than an hour's notice, David Dutcher, Boeing's vice president and program manager for the SLS rocket, scheduled an all-hands meeting for the approximately 800 employees working on the program. The apparently scripted meeting lasted just six minutes, and Dutcher didn't take questions.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/...employees-that-nasa-may-cancel-sls-contracts/

 

[Politruk]

Is any private space-tech corporation but SpaceX even going to be in business four years from now?

 

[RoryN]

Second launch of Starship Version 2 fails in what looks to be similar fashion as last time. It lost engines.

Booster caught again, but doesn't look like an 100% nominal landing. One engine didn’t re-light on landing.

Possibly tried a new trajectory on landing.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

I was watching the launch live as the Starship itself went out of control and started tumbling. No word on where or when it will come down.

 

[DeluxAuto]

I'm not a fan of space exploration. We already know we can't colonize Mars. Like every earth/space disaster movie, why not spend the money to fix the planet we currently occupy?

 

[RoryN]

I was watching the launch live as the Starship itself went out of control and started tumbling. No word on where or when it will come down.

If it blew up like last time, we should start seeing some videos soon.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

I'm not a fan of space exploration. We already know we can't colonize Mars. Like every earth/space disaster movie, why not spend the money to fix the planet we currently occupy?

Deep space probes are still doing good science, but SpaceX is just a toy for a rich child.

 

[RoryN]

Deep space probes are still doing good science, but SpaceX is just a toy for a rich child.

All deep space probes will be launched by SpaceX in the future. The Falcon rockets are the most reliable on the planet per # of launches and cost millions less to operate. NASA's solutions have trailed way behind.

 

[RoryN]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1897796003245314474

https://twitter.com/x/status/1897796943545323572

 

[RoryN]

Catastrophic engine failure. At least one of them looks like it blew to smithereens and took everything else out. Possibly another fuel leak.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

Catastrophic engine failure. At least one of them looks like it blew to smithereens and took everything else out. Possibly another fuel leak.

And this is why we shouldn't let Elon Musk anywhere near the FAA.

 

[DeluxAuto]

Deep space probes are still doing good science, but SpaceX is just a toy for a rich child.

Are they though? I'm asking out of ignorance, not being argumentative.