December launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 to try 1st-stage landing on floating platform
floridatoday.com
floridatoday.com
http://webcast.amps.ms.mit.edu/fall2014/AeroAstro/index-Fri-...
This summary of the presentation, and Q&A, is pretty thorough.
http://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/2k7bh4/live_intervie...
I liked these points:
• Musk thinks healthcare is more important than a colony on Mars. However, lipstick isn't (i.e. we spend tons of money on that, when Mars is more worthwhile)
• "If you saw a movie with aliens landing, how do they land? Like that. It would be weird if they landed in the ocean with parachutes... LOL"
• Q: "With commercial space taking off, what do you think NASA's role is in next decade? Besides giving you contracts..." A: "NASA's been very helpful to us. Huge fan of NASA. NASA is doing the right thing currently, given its constraints." (good, diplomatic answer)
• Q: "Are there any natural resources on Mars SpaceX could exploit" A: "Even if there were pallets of crack cocaine on Mars it wouldn't be worth it to ship back, LOL".
• Q: "A company has announced plans to build to space elevator by 2050." A: "I don't think its realistic, but Id love to be proven wrong. I always think of Charlie and Chocolate Factory when I heard the words space elevator."
• Q: "You've consumed lots of Sci Fi. What art has contributed towards your zeal?" A: "As far as key influences? Star Trek, it's a positive view of future. Star Wars was first movie he saw in theater, was super great. LoTR is his favorite book series, despite it being sort of anti-technology. Foundation Series is one of best ever. Clarke, Heinlein. Thinks The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is Heinlein's best book."
• Q: "I know NASA is working on SLS. They will eventually try to go to Mars. If they do, how does that change your focus as Mars." A: "We'll keep focusing on rocket technology. We want to focus on making Mars travel frequent, not one-off missions" (like NASA)