[JoMar]

I have been following space launches since Al Shepard's Mercury flight. The difference between the culture of SpaceX and NASA (and Boeing) is obvious. NASA maintains the staid suit and tie operation. SpaceX introduces the casual dress, relaxed no frills atomosphere. The commentators at SpaceX are young, attractive smart people. Even the look of their spacesuits, capsule, gantry are forward looking. Trip to the pad in a Tesla X. Hopefully, this will be attractive to the next generation that wants to enter the industry, not only as an astronaut, but also on the technical side. SpaceX even has plans for deeper space exploration that differes from NASA.....exciting times ahead.

[BobnBev]

I hope somebody puts a bug in Elon Musk's ear so he will give those two space travelers the 2 Tesla's they rode in out to the launch pad. Would be a super nice gesture.

[ColdNoMore]

There's no doubt that Elon is a genius...in so many different ways.

Tesla's stock price, compared to profit, shows that the bet is on him personally...not so much on just his cars.

After seeing some of the things he's said of late however, he needs try and continue to attract the young smart people he's surrounded himself with, encourage their enthusiasm, but should guard against...getting in his own way with his mouth.

GO SpaceX!

[CFrance]

I was watching the launch on ABC, channel 6. I loved it when someone asked the question What's the difference between this all being run by the US and the US partnering up with a private company. The answer was When you take the government out of the equation, things get done faster and less expensively.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I was watching the launch on ABC, channel 6. I loved it when someone asked the question What's the difference between this all being run by the US and the US partnering up with a private company. The answer was When you take the government out of the equation, things get done faster and less expensively.

Nasa of the 60 and 70"s is not the Nasa of today. Thankfully private enterprise is now leading the way

[manaboutown]

Going back to the early 1960s I remember the slide rules hung like six-guns on belts (I had a pocket sized one that had its own leather case with a clip on it to hold it in my shirt pocket) and plastic pocket protectors because the ball point pens leaked in those days. Most engineers could be identified at first sight. Short sleeved white shirts, thin dark neckties.

[J1ceasar]

Except in boeings case

[Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I was watching the launch on ABC, channel 6. I loved it when someone asked the question What's the difference between this all being run by the US and the US partnering up with a private company. The answer was When you take the government out of the equation, things get done faster and less expensively.

Private sector can do it less expensive and faster than the Government, example is the post office versus UPS or Fedex both of these are more efficient and timely versus the bloated and inefficient post office.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by JoMar

I have been following space launches since Al Shepard's Mercury flight. The difference between the culture of SpaceX and NASA (and Boeing) is obvious. NASA maintains the staid suit and tie operation. SpaceX introduces the casual dress, relaxed no frills atomosphere. The commentators at SpaceX are young, attractive smart people. Even the look of their spacesuits, capsule, gantry are forward looking. Trip to the pad in a Tesla X. Hopefully, this will be attractive to the next generation that wants to enter the industry, not only as an astronaut, but also on the technical side. SpaceX even has plans for deeper space exploration that differes from NASA.....exciting times ahead.

I found the female announcer's over the top excitement about every little thing annoying.

[La lamy]

Also loved the visuals and audio of Bob and Doug during the preflight and after takeoff. A big difference is how public it all was and how beautifully smooth and clear the video footage was. So proud of Elon. What a BRIGHT light.

[soniak4@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I found the female announcer's over the top excitement about every little thing annoying.

Of course you did!!!

[allus70]

Shipping packages for the average citizen using the USPS is a lot cheaper than shipping with either UPS or FedEx.
The USPS will Also deliver a first class letter mailed in Florida addressed to Alaska for 55 cents.
Any guess what UPS would charge if they ran the postal service?

[Chi-Town]

NASA awarded a $2.6 billion dollar contract to Space X for the development of the Crew Dragon in 2014. Public and private sector working together.

SpaceX launches new era of spaceflight with company's first crewed
mission

[JoeinFL]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I found the female announcer's over the top excitement about every little thing annoying.

I thought it was refreshing to see someone excited about something positive for a change. She, along with her generation are our future. Having younger people excited about space travel has been missing for many years.

[bob48]

Nice thread. And being a private company always working to control costs, Space X re-uses boosters if possible instead of NASA always dumping into the ocean. Difference is tax dollar funding (ours) versus trying to get a return on investment. Take a look at NASA new SLS program which is multiples over budget and months if not years behind schedule.

Originally Posted by JoMar

I have been following space launches since Al Shepard's Mercury flight. The difference between the culture of SpaceX and NASA (and Boeing) is obvious. NASA maintains the staid suit and tie operation. SpaceX introduces the casual dress, relaxed no frills atomosphere. The commentators at SpaceX are young, attractive smart people. Even the look of their spacesuits, capsule, gantry are forward looking. Trip to the pad in a Tesla X. Hopefully, this will be attractive to the next generation that wants to enter the industry, not only as an astronaut, but also on the technical side. SpaceX even has plans for deeper space exploration that differes from NASA.....exciting times ahead.