3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on June 6, 2010 at 8:06pm

This was thrilling--a triumph of commercial space and entrepreneurialism. Humbling to see the complexity of a project like that compared to our own tiny efforts to provide an alternative to the industrial aerospace model--but I like to think that we and SpaceX are on different ends of the same spectrum

Comment by Jeff Taylor on June 6, 2010 at 8:37pm

I couldn't agree more - a lot of the cost savings comes from looking at some commercially available part and deciding that it could be done better ourselves for a fraction of the cost. Most in the avionics group are would-be (or actual) DIYDrones members.

Comment by Nima K on June 6, 2010 at 8:58pm

I'm a big admirer of SpaceX. I love the fact that they've even posted the prices for launch and a "user guide" on their website documenting everything from the EMI levels in the cargo fairing to the accelerations and virtually everything about the launcher. I can see Musk's previous experience in the software industry in the way SpaceX is run.

Comment by Jack Crossfire on June 6, 2010 at 10:20pm

Some would say success shows a lack of experience in the software industry. The main question is if he can make money on commercial launches instead of .coms, Air Force, & NASA.

Comment by Jason Lyons on June 6, 2010 at 11:32pm

Considering that Obama is changing the direction that NASA is going in and looking for the free market to offer cheaper ways to get to space, it looks like SpaceX is in the perfect position to take the market leader position in commercial space transport.

Comment by IKE on June 7, 2010 at 5:00am

Nima K, you can find similar 'user guides' in the Ariane and H-IIb websites, it should be common practice among rocket operators. Congratulations to Space X, this is a remarkable achievement.

Comment by Jeff Taylor on June 7, 2010 at 8:03pm

At the moment it's looking like there's quite a bit of interest commercially though I'm not familiar with any confirmed orders outside of NASA COTS. I'm intrigued with your comment on lack of experience re success.. If lack of experience brings success I should be in fortune magazine sometime soon :D

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