Tracking the Falcon

by | Nov 19, 2005 | Advanced Rocketry

Centauri Dreams focuses on the long-term, which almost always means deep space missions and interstellar possibilities. But building an industrial infrastructure in the outer Solar System also means finding much less expensive ways into space, a fact illuminated by the upcoming launch of SpaceX’s Falcon rocket from Kwajalein atoll in the Pacific. CEO Elon Musk talks about building the ‘Ford of space,’ and as noted by Michael Belfiore, Musk went on to say this in a personal interview: “Ford didn’t invent the internal combustion engine. But he found out how to make one at low cost.” Similarly, “We didn’t invent the rocket engine; what we’re trying to do is figure out how to make it low-cost.”

Belfiore’s weblog is a good place to monitor as we approach launch, which is set to occur at 1300 PST on November 25. Also be aware of Jim White’s postings from Kwajalein; White is a member of the FalconSAT-2 satellite team and is reporting on final preparations. Finally, Jeff Foust provides excellent background in a discussion of Musk’s appearance at SpaceVision 2005 in Big Plans for SpaceX.

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In Centauri Dreams, Paul Gilster looks at peer-reviewed research on deep space exploration, with an eye toward interstellar possibilities. For many years this site coordinated its efforts with the Tau Zero Foundation. It now serves as an independent forum for deep space news and ideas. In the logo above, the leftmost star is Alpha Centauri, a triple system closer than any other star, and a primary target for early interstellar probes. To its right is Beta Centauri (not a part of the Alpha Centauri system), with Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon Crucis, stars in the Southern Cross, visible at the far right (image courtesy of Marco Lorenzi).

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