In the real world news today Thurs, November 29 2018

[Latestarter]

I watched one of those re-landing rockets about a month ago following a launch. Blew me away! I had no idea they were doing that let alone capable of doing it. Just amazing. So what does everyone think of the premise that we already have a (secret/undisclosed) space base on the moon/mars?

 

[greybeard]

So what does everyone think of the premise that we already have a (secret/undisclosed) space base on the moon/mars?

Not much.
Too many eyes/ears in the world today to hide such a thing.


If this was the landing you saw, it was indeed impressive. 2 of the three 1st stage boosters From Falcon Heavy landing side by side at the same time. (the 3rd one was to land on a barge in the Atlantic--it was unsuccessful due to heavy seas.)

 

[Mike CHS]

Our daughter and son-in-law work for Tessla so we have been able to see some really awesome design work during the SpaceX development.

 

[greybeard]

I am less than impressed with the flying water heater looking thing that New Origin/Blue Shepard has thus far flown, even tho they were the 1st to land vertically.

 

[Bruce]

So what does everyone think of the premise that we already have a (secret/undisclosed) space base on the moon/mars?

Conspiracy theory at best.

That SpaceX display was awesome. Not only reusable but the 2 stages self recovered on land back at the launch site. That has to save some big bucks.

 

[Latestarter]

The one I saw landed on a barge at sea... I was absolutely amazed! I was flipping through channels and just happened to stop there as they were minutes from launch. After the launch and booster separation they started talking about booster recovery and I kept watching as I'd never heard of it. I didn't know they were doing that and was completely caught off guard & very impressed! Seeing both of these land simultaneously back at the launch site is even more impressive. wow.

 

[greybeard]

Some early failures. First successful drone ship landing was in 2016.

The speed at which they come down, (watch at 1:58) then decelerate at the last moment was amazing.

 

[mystang89]

I'm looking forward to when space flight will be cheap enough for the common person to be able to save up enough money to go into the deep beyond and see this beautiful planet from above.

I'll probably be so old be that time they better have a wheel chair accessible rocket though lol.

 

[greybeard]

I won't live long enough to see that, or at least the 'cheap enough' part.
Several people are trying to get passenger/'edge of space' tours ready tho. Branson, Bigelow Aerospace, and SpaceX being the front runners with ticket cots being somewhere between the cost of a super sports car and an entry level 2 bdr home in the suburbs of Cleveland Tx.

Several other companies have already gone down the tubes and filed bankruptcy..

 

[greybeard]

For those that like to live on the edge and equally like a really nasty burger...........an upcoming/advance notice (for you Bruce) of something "free".

The Big Mac has been a McDonald’s staple for 50 years now, and to celebrate the iconic sandwich’s golden anniversary, the chain wants to share one with the world. Starting August 2, customers will receive a cool limited-edition collectible metal coin with the purchase of every Big Mac while supplies last.


Then, from August 3 through the end of the year, diners can redeem each coin for one free Big Mac.

Better get your 'coin' quick. World wide, there will only be 6.2 million tokens given out, tho it is unclear if they can/will be re-issued to new burger buyers on a revolving basis, or how many coins each franchise will get.. (Globally, McDonalds sells 15.2 million Big Macs each day)