I just like all this space stuff. Watch Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Successfully Launch And Land A Rocket For The First Time - Digg
What's the deal with all these uber-rich guys starting their own rocket companies? I could think of better ways to spend my disposable income. I just watched something on TV just last night about the discovery of the resting place of the Atocha shipwreck and all the treasure that has been recovered from it. The show stated that an estimated $4 billion in treasure from lost shipwrecks in the Carribean remains undiscovered to this day. Instead of reaching for the stars, I think I'd be searching the depths for booty. But that's just me.
Space is the place. The final frontier, as James Kirk reminded us. That estimated $4B in treasure? It's both lost and scattered, and it's a puny amount compared to what the universe has to offer.
Elon Musk has said his goal is to use his massive wealth to do things that positively change the world, and that's his motivation for SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. I don't know about Jeff Bezos, but I wouldn't be surprised were he similarly motivated, since that sort of mindset is common in the tech startup world.
Japanese spacecraft due to enter Venus orbit of December 7th. JAXA | Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C)
It appears the media is forever forgetting the past. The Blue Origin launch is certainly a milestone for Jeff Bezos but the feat of launching and landing a rocket for reuse is not new. Back in the nineties I worked on the DC-X rocket; it was launched 12 times and recovered 11 times. On its twelve flight its landing gear malfunctioned and the vehicle was destroyed. Here is a video of the DC-X. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzXcTFfV3Ls As for landing a capsule I've worked on numerous recoverable capsules - nothing new in the Blue Origin capsule.
Speaking of Elon Musk, here's a story about Space X SpaceX May Attempt Landing on Solid Ground This Month, Official Says - NBC News
Japan's Akatsuki spacecraft goes into orbit around Venus after a five year detour. Why Japan's mission to Venus has been so full of drama - CSMonitor.com
Another success for Blue Origin Blue Origin Successfully Launches, Lands Rocket for Third Time | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
