The difference is that the testing is usually done on hardware in a much more mature state. How many other aerospace companies do you see launch rockets with an estimated success rate of just 50%? Where they're happy if the thing just makes it off the pad before it explodes?

Other companies spend a lot more time trying to perfect the design before they launch a test because of bad optics. When things crash and burn, investors get nervous. In the case of publicly funded projects, politicians get nervous because they wonder what the voters are thinking when they see things go boom. SpaceX is mostly privately funded. They aren't beholden to anyone so they don't worry about blowing things up. It tends to move development along faster. When you operate that way, you're going to experience a lot of very visible failures along the way. For this reason, I think criticism of Starship is silly based on failures in test flights. Instead, look at the progress made from one flight to the next.

As to assumption of success, yes I am an optimist here. Musk's track record with SpaceX is very good. Only his time estimates have been off. He and his engineers have been successful with everything they have attempted thus far so I have a good feeling about Starship.

(October 7, 2024 at 3:25 pm)AFTT47 Wrote: The difference is that the testing is usually done on hardware in a much more mature state. How many other aerospace companies do you see launch rockets with an estimated success rate of just 50%? Where they're happy if the thing just makes it off the pad before it explodes?

You should ask South Texans how they like all that wreckage and contamination. It is not laudatory. SpaceX are being shitty corporate citizens.

Quote:EPA is proposing to issue a Complaint, Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) under its authority pursuant to Section 309(g) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g), to Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) (Respondent) for violations of Section 301(a) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1311(a). The violations alleged are for discharges to waters of the United States without an NPDES Permit. The CAFO proposes to assess a civil penalty of $148,378 against Respondent for the alleged CWA violations.

Pursuant to Section 309(g)(4)(A) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A) and following proceedings under EPA’s Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, 40 C.F.R. Part 22, EPA is providing notice of this CAFO proposing the assessment of a civil penalty. EPA will consider all comments received in determining its final action.

https://www.epa.gov/tx/proposed-administ...acex-clean

(October 7, 2024 at 4:06 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: You should ask South Texans how they like all that wreckage and contamination.

Granted. SpaceX could do a lot better in the realm of civic responsibility.

(October 7, 2024 at 5:22 pm)AFTT47 Wrote:

(October 7, 2024 at 4:06 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: You should ask South Texans how they like all that wreckage and contamination.

Granted. SpaceX could do a lot better in the realm of civic responsibility.

The world's wealthiest man doesn't give a shit about any of us.

Not just subsidies, the valuations depend on products he has never delivered to markets they have no purchase in, too. It's another too big to fail thing.

(October 7, 2024 at 5:22 pm)AFTT47 Wrote:

(October 7, 2024 at 4:06 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: You should ask South Texans how they like all that wreckage and contamination.

Granted. SpaceX could do a lot better in the realm of civic responsibility.

Which is why I'm not a Libertarian any more. Without regulation, where's that sense of responsibility coming from?

If Musk cares about humanity's fate, he ought to start at home. But he's already shown his colors. He doesn't care about his neighbors. He doesn't care about anyone but himself.

Elon Musk cares about humanity as a whole. He cares nothing for individuals. Individuals are cogs in the whole and are replaceable. That's how he thinks.

(October 7, 2024 at 8:21 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: Not just subsidies, the valuations depend on products he has never delivered to markets they have no purchase in, too.  It's another too big to fail thing.

TSLA's valuation is fucking underpants-on-head insane.

I should go look at my chewing gum wrappers. I hope I'm not invested in Galaxy Brain.