BBC positive on SpaceX's launch

[dreada5]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6474021.stm<br /><br />Plus, check out the size comparison graphic of Falcon 1 at the bottom of the article.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Here's the BBC graphic: <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[no_way]

Remove the nonexistant launcher from the image, that has no hope of ever flying again and it puts things in much clearer perspective.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Which nonexistant launcher is that? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[no_way]

ok let me clarify. i wasnt trying to say that Saturn 5 never existed, i am saying that such operational launcher does not exist today, is of another era and another scale.<br />it really does not belong on that image, and if you leave it aside the picture looks a lot different.<br />

 

[dreada5]

no_way I see you point. But Falcon 9 would be a better comparison to the other existing launchers. I think the point of the image was just to show how *small* Falcon 1 is?<br /><br />Question: would Falcon 1 be the smallest (in length, payload capability) operational launcher?<br /><br />...probably in cost per launch.

 

[no_way]

And my point was, that it doesnt look that small at all when compared to other currently operational launchers. Falcon I is on the verge of becoming operational ( depends on what the customers decide after analysing this one, i presume )<br />It looks like the image has been deliberately put together to _make_ it look small, by comparing it to stuff that belongs to another era. Heck, why not throw N1 and Graf Zeppelin on the same image ?<br /><br />As to the question, Pegasus is smaller. <br /><br />EDIT: i thought you meant overall size

 

[bdewoody]

I kinda like the idea of using an airship to launch into space from. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">Bob DeWoody</font></em> </div>

 

[scottb50]

As to the question, Pegasus is smaller. <br /><br />As long as you don't count the first stage.<br /><br />L-1011<br />length 177.7 feet<br />wingspan 155.3 feet<br /><br />A lot of sounding rockets are a lot smaller too. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[no_way]

Yes, thats what guys at JP Aerospace like too:<br />www.jpaerospace.com<br />and some others think launching from plain old balloons is a neat idea.<br /><br />We will see. <br /><br />

 

[dreada5]

Isn't Pegasus more expensive per launch than Falcon 1?

 

[dreada5]

no_way, Falcon 1 looks tiny compared to operational launchers. But saying that I'd probably stand next to it, looking up in awe! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[spacester]

<font color="yellow">It looks like the image has been deliberately put together to _make_ it look small</font><br /><br />Like this? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[no_way]

Oh, yes, 21 meters is tiny and 45 meters is not. How silly can one get arguing over something so trivial ?

 

[josh_simonson]

I've had occasion to call 7 microns huge...

 

[rocketman5000]

Now you're just bragging...

 

[dreada5]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Oh, yes, 21 meters is tiny and 45 meters is not. How silly can one get arguing over something so trivial ? <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />LOL agreed... but then again I don't recall having an argument against that trivial graphic to start with.<br /><br />The point of the thread was that its just good to see the launch presented more upbeat than some of the other media stories going around (eg SDC). It was hardly a "failure" as some suggest.

 

[josh_simonson]

Yep, better it breaks now and they fix it than it breaks later.