• companero [he/him]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    102
    ·
    edit-2
    4 months ago

    While SpaceX’s reusable rockets have slashed satellite launch costs to US$3,000/kg, some scientists have estimated that an electromagnetic space launch system could drive those costs down to a mere US$60/kg.

    China completely invalidating SpaceX’s business model would be hilarious. some-controversy

      • RyanGosling [none/use name]@hexbear.net
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        50
        ·
        4 months ago

        I’m not sure what’s funnier. If China open sources the technology and NASA would have no choice but to switch to it, or they keep it proprietary and force the US to use spacex

        • Egon [they/them]@hexbear.net
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          49
          ·
          4 months ago

          The funniest outcome is this: They go open source, Elon takes the concept and tries to pretend he invented the tech himself. People call him out for it, but he doubles down claiming he’s never even heard of china. It gets built and explodes because he cut corners and did dumb shit. Elon immediately blames faulty Chinese tech. lathe-of-heaven

          • CloutAtlas [he/him]@hexbear.net
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            25
            ·
            edit-2
            4 months ago

            Elon tries to build a space trebuchet to compete, the release mechanism gets a bug and slams a $50,000,000 rocket directly into the ground. Blames China and Chelsea Manning.

    • BennyHill500@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      4 months ago

      The SpaceX rockets being reusable barely put a dent in the price of launches, they were already cheap. probably has something to do with them using RP-1 fuel wich is is cheaper and easier to store and creates greenhouse gasses vs. the clean burning liquid hydrogen that NASA and ESA use.