Returning Humans to the Moon: NASA and SpaceX Initiatives Update 02/28/17 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to send tourists on a trip around the moon in late 2018, while NASA is considering a manned mission to loop around the moon on their maiden voyage of the Space Launch System and Orion capsule.

Key Insights

• 👾 SpaceX's plan to send tourists on a lunar trip reflects Elon Musk's bold and visionary approach to space exploration.
• 🥮 The feasibility of the moon mission relies on the successful maiden flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket and the crew version of the Dragon capsule.
• 👨‍🚀 NASA's consideration of a manned mission on the Space Launch System and Orion capsule demonstrates a potential competition in the space exploration industry.
• 👨‍🚀 The cost competitiveness of SpaceX and Blue Origin has opened up new opportunities for manned space exploration.
• 🌱 The moon mission plan aligns with Elon Musk's ultimate goal of colonizing Mars.
• 🖤 Safety concerns arise due to the lack of rescue possibilities in case of emergencies during the moon mission.
• 👨‍🚀 The development of fast-track initiatives indicates a new push into manned space exploration.

Transcript

Seemingly, after a long period of debating the merits of doing so, two ultra-fast track initiatives have developed in recent days that could send humans back to the moon not by 2028 or the usual long term time-frames we're used to that are ever prone to cancellation or delay, but by next year. The first comes from Elon Musk and SpaceX. There's no q... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Elon Musk's latest space exploration plan?

Elon Musk plans to send tourists on a trip around the moon in late 2018 using SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket and Dragon capsule system.

Q: How does the moon mission compare to a trip to the ISS in terms of safety?

The moon mission would be more dangerous than a trip to the ISS as there would be no possibilities for rescue if something went wrong.

Q: What is NASA considering in response to SpaceX's lunar trip plan?

The incoming White House administration has requested NASA to explore the possibility of a manned mission to loop around the moon on the maiden voyage of the Space Launch System and Orion capsule.

Q: How does SpaceX's cost model impact space exploration?

SpaceX's cost model has significantly reduced the enormous cost barrier of space exploration, making it more accessible and competitive.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, aims to send tourists on a lunar trip in late 2018, looping around the moon using the Falcon Heavy rocket and Dragon capsule system.

• The mission would be more dangerous than a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) with no possibility for rescue.

• NASA has been requested by the incoming White House administration to investigate the possibility of a manned mission to loop around the moon on their maiden voyage of the Space Launch System and Orion capsule.