Here's hoping that SpaceX can fill the gap - they're due to do the first delivery in November: http://www.spacex.com/updates.php
Here's hoping that SpaceX can fill the gap
it's not always a pleasure for western costumers to deal with the Russians in the space field, due to their (legitimate?) space arrogance.
When SpaceX can be successful that may change but only slowly.
[..] that may change but only slowly.
even given a lower launch cost, SpaceX has a long way to go to demonstrate similar reliability...which if thought of the right way can also affect launch costs. Sending up two slightly cheaper, more more unlreliable rockets instead of one slightly more reliable but a hair more expensive is not something many people would be willing to do.
I recall him describing the Proton as the most reliable vehicle ever engineered by humans.
I think that SpaceX is great, but, is there really a gap to fill, in this case? Where does this gap begin?
It is preposterous to think they will replace NASA on any level. It's amateur hour now.
Sure, they are paid by NASA to do that but currently NASA is completely unable to supply the ISS with anything.
NASA is awesome at putting together science missions. SpaceX (currently) doesn’t want to do that, you can’t even compare the two in that respect. But what’s so bad about launching all your stuff with rockets from a private company?