https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3255351/nasas-dream-comes-true-china-plans-build-giant-rail-gun-launch-hypersonic-planes-space

  • companero [he/him]
    ·
    6 months ago

    While SpaceX’s reusable rockets have slashed satellite launch costs to US$3,000/kg, some scientists have estimated that an electromagnetic space launch system could drive those costs down to a mere US$60/kg.

    China completely invalidating SpaceX's business model would be hilarious. some-controversy

    • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
      ·
      6 months ago

      NASA is banned from working with China, so it would be genuinely hilarious if they were the only group stuck paying $3k per kg.

      • RyanGosling [none/use name]
        ·
        6 months ago

        I’m not sure what’s funnier. If China open sources the technology and NASA would have no choice but to switch to it, or they keep it proprietary and force the US to use spacex

        • Egon
          ·
          1 month ago

          deleted by creator

          • AbbysMuscles [she/her]
            ·
            6 months ago

            And retroactively blames those shifty [slurs] for stealing American tech that previously was just a series of doodles on a napkin

          • CloutAtlas [he/him]
            ·
            6 months ago

            Elon tries to build a space trebuchet to compete, the release mechanism gets a bug and slams a $50,000,000 rocket directly into the ground. Blames China and Chelsea Manning.

        • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
          ·
          6 months ago

          I think the funniest outcome would be Elon being forced to try to build a space gun to try to compete.

          • D61 [any]
            ·
            6 months ago

            During fundraising events he shows videos of the prototype in action.

            The video... (invidious front end for youtube used)

    • BennyHill500@lemmy.ml
      ·
      6 months ago

      The SpaceX rockets being reusable barely put a dent in the price of launches, they were already cheap. probably has something to do with them using RP-1 fuel wich is is cheaper and easier to store and creates greenhouse gasses vs. the clean burning liquid hydrogen that NASA and ESA use.