Space X - Falcon Heavy Launch

[robj144]

Originally Posted by Shoreline Music

Another similar company was founded by one of my college buddies after he got bored with helping to create the internet. He used to work at NASA/Ames, and wrote the software that fixed the Hubble mirror flaw when he was a teenager. His company, MoonEx, received the first permission ever for a non-governmental entity to launch past Earth's orbit. Their plan is to mine the moon, with an eye to trillions of dollars of raw materials. So this all has the potential to go way beyond satellites. If you're a fan of space, it's a good time to be alive

Who is this person? I tried to Google, but couldn't find exactly who. Wasn't Hubble's fixed by corrective lenses? A physical and not software fix?

[fumei]

one of my college buddies after he got bored with helping to create the internet. He used to work at NASA/Ames, and wrote the software that fixed the Hubble mirror flaw when he was a teenager.

Originally Posted by robj144

Who is this person? I tried to Google, but couldn't find exactly who. Wasn't Hubble's fixed by corrective lenses? A physical and not software fix?

Yes, I would like a name as well. Someone who "got bored helping to create the internet"? and "wrote the software that fixed" Hubble "when he was a teenager"?

Seriously?

Hubble's original fix was credited to COSTAR, but the real hero was WFPC 2. Both hardware. Yes, it is true that software did help in the process, but it was not, in any way, a fix. It was hardware.

What software are you referring to? And who is this wunderkind?

[Shoreline Music]

My apologies—I was very clumsily trying NOT to namedrop. I mostly wanted to say that, like Elon Musk, I had a buddy who left a succesful tech career to pursue and fund his first love—space—which had been cultivated during his years at NASA/Ames, and with his work on the Hubble and other computing and AI projects there.

I mis-spoke about our ages; this happened right after college (although he did work there as a teenager, too). If you want to chat, feel free to PM me.

[Glennwillow]

I think this is very cool! It's not a 100% success but what they have achieved is already astounding.

- Glenn

[MikeBmusic]

And its not just about launching the next generation of satellites, it's about a more efficient less-costly way to get equipment into geosynchronous orbits, and moon orbits (next step in Moon and Mars exploration).

[KevWind]

Not to mention a demonstration of the ultimate in MPG for a convertible

[GHS]

Saw it live on the news. I dont think I have been that transfixed to the TV since the summer of '69 when I watched them land on the moon on a little b&w set. Just amazing!!!

[Pitar]

Originally Posted by aknow

Really amazing! I have no idea why anyone would want to visit Mars, however.

I've been saying that since Mars became a destination of interest for any exploration entity.

[TomB'sox]

Super cool, but I for one wishes he would spend more time getting my promised (fall of 2017) Tesla Model 3 built as now the completion date has been pushed back again to late 2018. Placed my deposit in 2015 I believe, maybe early 2016....

While this space exploration is amazing, you take deposits from hundreds of thousand people who trust your timelines and now you are almost 2 years behind...just sayin...

[Jobe]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Super cool, but I for one wishes he would spend more time getting my promised (fall of 2017) Tesla Model 3 built as now the completion date has been pushed back again to late 2018. Placed my deposit in 2015 I believe, maybe early 2016....

While this space exploration is amazing, you take deposits from hundreds of thousand people who trust your timelines and now you are almost 2 years behind...just sayin...

Yup. Get your earth-bound car stuff together first. Then you are allowed to explore space. One step at a time. (Or maybe he wants to prove the Flat Earth theory and the true dynamics of gravity, electricity and magnetism.)

[pbe]

Originally Posted by robj144

Surprise no one has posted this yet. Have you guys checked out the Falcon Heavy launch and landing today?



The landing is crazy:







Although the center crashed trying to land on the drone ship. It's still pretty cool.



Musk also put his Tesla Roadster on top of the rocket which is now on its way to the asteroid belt by mistake:

If any of you get the opportunity to view a live launch, DO IT! I saw a Mars Polar Lander launch in 2000 from the media viewing area. It was way beyond what I imagined a rocket launch to be. Loud, bright, nothing but power. Bucket list to see one again, maybe a night launch.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by pbe

If any of you get the opportunity to view a live launch, DO IT! I saw a Mars Polar Lander launch in 2000 from the media viewing area. It was way beyond what I imagined a rocket launch to be. Loud, bright, nothing but power. Bucket list to see one again, maybe a night launch.

Saw the second to last Space Shuttle launch. I took these pics:

[pbe]

Originally Posted by robj144

Saw the second to last Space Shuttle launch. I took these pics:

Belated reply, but those are wonderful photos. Captured what I saw standing on the ground, but closer!

[jpd]

Last night I saw the feed from an Italian astronomer showing the Muskmobile scooting across the firmament

[robj144]

Originally Posted by pbe

Belated reply, but those are wonderful photos. Captured what I saw standing on the ground, but closer!

Thanks. It was cool.