Here is the deal - it only has to be taken down now, their goal is to get to a point when they wouldn't need to refurbish it outside of launch pad - land, refuel, replace few consumable parts and relaunch from the pad.

By September 2011 SpaceX announced their shift to powered-descent first-stage recovery (link to 2011 space.com article). Presumably they found additional funding and/or ways to reduce development cost.

But this still seems like science fiction.

We hate it when you're right. But probably the best supporting evidence for unmanned aero flight.

Unfortunately NASA taught me in the '80s that they are not infallible. And no one is. Still.... got to Hand it to SpaceX.

Then again....... what does the gvt do that private sector cannot do better if given the opportunity. Or incentive...

Since they say cost of relaunch is 50% and you need to refuel I'd say the stage 1 hardware costs about 75% of launch cost, 25% for fuel, some TLC and some profit on relaunch and you are right at 50%.

Space X has some competition.

They're in the beginning stage...

The landing at the 2:40 mark is a bit rough.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/xaWWZEDjMW0[/youtube]

Love it. I once accidentally set off about two dozen of those Estes motors out in my shop. I was cutting metal, and didn't realize where my spark shower was being thrown. Scared the crap out of me when the first one lit off.

We hate it when you're right. But probably the best supporting evidence for unmanned aero flight.

Unfortunately NASA taught me in the '80s that they are not infallible. And no one is. Still.... got to Hand it to SpaceX.

Then again....... what does the gvt do that private sector cannot do better if given the opportunity. Or incentive...

the biggest difference I see is getting rid of the "failure is not an option" BS. Failure is absolutely an option. Failures are how we learn and advance.

Space X good technology for the military, I'm afraid the Chinese will makes copy

I certainly think he can do it. We've already landed several craft there.

The question posed on CNBC this morning is "what's the ROI"?. I agree, what do you get out of going to Mars? There's nothing there.

An important step on the long road towards being multi-planetary species?
It's not always about the money...

I certainly think he can do it. We've already landed several craft there.

The question posed on CNBC this morning is "what's the ROI"?. I agree, what do you get out of going to Mars? There's nothing there.

The question posed on CNBC this morning is "what's the ROI"?. I agree, what do you get out of going to Mars? There's nothing there.[/quote]

It will take a different way of looking at how humans succeed. The humans that end up on Mars most likely will not return. Instead, they will be tasked with creating a new civilization on Mars. As time goes on, humans will be born on Mars that will have no memory of Earth. Will it be better? Was it better for those that took a one way trip in 1500 to go to North American from Europe?

Reminds me of a motivational consultant. Taking the stigma out of failure. Fail faster was the recommendation. Don't be afraid to push the envelope. If a plan doesn't work, learn and move forward.

For the to work you need to have buy in from the top. Not every businesses have someone like Elon at the top.

Columbus went in search of gold, fame and fortune. We all know this.

We all also know there is no gold on Mars.