stewartm0205 t1_iumuykb wrote
The Falcon Heavy can take man to the moon and Mars. All that is needed is a lander.
CrimsonEnigma t1_iuocs77 wrote
And a spacecraft (the Crew Dragon cannot handle reentry from a cislunar trajectory, much less survive a Mars journey).
seanflyon t1_iuoj714 wrote
As far as we know the Crew Dragon heat shield is actually capable of a lunar return, though that doesn't mean it could handle all aspects of that mission.
> “It’s actually designed for multiple Earth orbit reentry missions – so that we can actually do up to 10 reentry missions with the same heat shield.”
> “That means it can actually do at least 1 lunar orbit reentry velocity missions, and conceivably maybe 2.”
stewartm0205 t1_iv4grkj wrote
It’s a starting point. Couldn’t cost that much to modify it so it could. You are going to need a lander, ascent stage and stage to propel it to the moon and insert it into orbit. It could be done for a few billion.
jamesbideaux t1_iuqifv0 wrote
I wonder if falcon heavy and the larger fairing are still a plan. Obviously the company is pretty set on making starship the focus, but I still hope they are doing at least some hedgeing.
stewartm0205 t1_iv6iiey wrote
The Falcon Heavy is flying. I think Starship may still be a year or two away. I think you used it until Starship has beaten it.
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