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Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by nikisweeting on Friday October 09, 2020 @11:07PM (#24736438)
Personally I'm not keen on seeing SpaceX doing more military work :/
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by aphextron on Saturday October 10, 2020 @02:21AM (#24737022)
SpaceX operates entirely at the behest of the US government and military. Elon has lofty goals and speaks aspirationally, but they are a defense contractor no different than Lockheed or Boeing.
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by avmich on Saturday October 10, 2020 @01:49PM (#24740583)
> SpaceX operates entirely at the behest of the US government and military.

Wrong. Correct would be "SpaceX uses US government and military to pursue its goals".

> they are a defense contractor no different than Lockheed or Boeing.

Wrong. Lockheed or Boeing don't have goals other than profits.

Don't you understand Musk's mindset? For a Silicon Valley type he's very understandable.

Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by andymoe on Saturday October 10, 2020 @12:04AM (#24736618)
Though it’s a nice way to get their dev costs covered for a thing they wanted to build anyway.
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by sunstone on Saturday October 10, 2020 @01:19PM (#24740372)
That and it's not good strategy to poke the king in the eye when he comes asking for a favour. Let's call it 'win win'.
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by DeonPenny on Saturday October 10, 2020 @02:05AM (#24736967)
I'm pretty sure most of there work is US military work. Whether its putting up GPS or other sats
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by garmaine on Saturday October 10, 2020 @02:21AM (#24737020)
Most is commercial. Even if you count NRO and GPS as military, most launches are for commercial customers or themselves (Starlink).

They do get paid a heck of a lot more for the “military” launches though, so I don’t know how it plays out if you calculate revenue.

Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by louwhopley on Saturday October 10, 2020 @01:32AM (#24736873)
Sounds like a new form of ICBMs - reusable ICBMs.

I wonder what technology like this would mean for the US’ nuclear arsenal and the cost and complexity of maintenance thereof?

Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by klathzazt on Saturday October 10, 2020 @02:18AM (#24737016)
This is exactly what I'm concerned about. Do we really want anyone launching ICBMs? I doubt any adversary would take too kindly to these types of launches- and considering their trajectories, they may appear to be attacks.
Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by garmaine on Saturday October 10, 2020 @01:58AM (#24736947)
Why would you ever need a reusable ICBM?

Edit: also note that this isn’t an ICBM as the term is usually understood. A missile needs to be able to be launched at a moment’s notice by a small group of airmen. They use storable propellants, or quick fueling technology to launch within minutes of getting the order in any weather conditions, from one of many secret or mobile locations. A Falcon 9 on the other hand requires a mini army of engineers, hundreds of millions of dollars of range equipment, and good weather to launch.

Re:SpaceX planning to build rockets for high-speed shipping ... by garmaine on Saturday October 10, 2020 @02:10AM (#24736987)
Makes sense. Basically their point-to-point cargo delivery use case, but to war zones. The military and intelligence agencies undoubtedly have need for quick delivery of assets to remote areas, and the money to pay.