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In reply to the discussion: The Bezos Sub-Orbital Flight Is Just an Uber Expensive E-Ticket Theme Park Ride. [View all]Klaralven
(7,510 posts)6. The technical achievement, to the extent there is one, seems to be reusable vehicles.
SpaceX and Blue Origin have both mastered the ability to return first stage vehicles to earth such that they can be refurbished and reused.
A major expense in spaceflight has been the expendable hardware required for each flight. Even in the shuttle program, the solid fuel boosters and the huge fuel tank attached to the shuttle were discarded. The shuttle consisted of the crew compartment, cargo bay, and main engines for reuse.
However, it will never be inexpensive, since over 8 pounds of fuel are required to lift 1 pound into near-earth orbit. That's a approximately 17,000 mph orbit, and more fuel is required to accelerate to above the 25,000 mph escape velocity for interplanetary travel.
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The Bezos Sub-Orbital Flight Is Just an Uber Expensive E-Ticket Theme Park Ride. [View all]
MineralMan
Jul 2021
OP
I recently purchased a Porsche Boxster S. It's fast, but it comes nowhere near supercar territory.
Dial H For Hero
Jul 2021
#71
Flying in the Qatar Airlines Q-Suite to Thailand in a couple of weeks. Japan Airlines business
Dial H For Hero
Jul 2021
#37
Emirates First Class is about as over the top luxurious as it gets, from what I've read.
Dial H For Hero
Jul 2021
#47
I never pay the cash price for a business or first class ticket. I could never afford it.
Dial H For Hero
Jul 2021
#60
The technical achievement, to the extent there is one, seems to be reusable vehicles.
Klaralven
Jul 2021
#6
Is graduating high school a waste of time because "nothing new was learned"?
mathematic
Jul 2021
#15
And what is the threshold for "modest acquired wealth by hard work and thrift"?
brooklynite
Jul 2021
#46
Stained glass is beautiful, tells many stories, graces many ancient buildings.
Treefrog
Jul 2021
#27
What an ignorant thing to say. You don't know what you're talking about.
Liberal In Texas
Jul 2021
#29
Even if you're just "burning things very quickly and in large quantities", what's most important...
Silent3
Jul 2021
#63
An example: During the 1990 Gulf War, the vast majority of US equipment got there by sea.
Dial H For Hero
Jul 2021
#95
Passenger air travel has given people the opportunity to experience the world outside their bubble...
brooklynite
Jul 2021
#92
"space travel is the exact opposite of the trajectory best taken by humans on this planet"
EX500rider
Jul 2021
#90