So I’ve heard and seen the newest launch, and I thought for a private firm it seemed cool they were able to do it on their own, but I’m scratching my head that people are gushing about this as some hail mary.

I get the engineering required is staggering when it comes to these rocket tests, but NASA and other big space agencies have already done rocket tests and exploring bits of the moon which still astounds me to this day.

Is it because it’s not a multi billion government institution? When I tell colleagues about NASA doing stuff like this yeaaaars ago they’re like “Yea yea but this is different it’s crazy bro”

Can anyone help me understand? Any SpaceX or Tesla fans here?

  • Tyfud@lemmy.worldEnglish
    725·
    17 days ago

    SpaceX is not run by Elon and he’s kept from being involved closely by a buffer of people that keep him from getting too close to making any “elon” level changes.

    SpaceX is successful despite Musk, not because of. And the woman who runs it knows that and keeps Musk away from any important decisions or impacts.

    So the stuff they’re doing is legit, cool aerospace stuff.

    It’s just not something Musk should take credit for. He does/will. But he shouldn’t. He’s a hack.

        • oatscoop@midwest.social
          131·
          17 days ago

          Which is hilarious, as the eponymous Culture is the epitome of luxury gay space anarchism. Pan-sexual, non-monogamous space hippies that can (and do) change their biological sex just by thinking about it. People so past the idea of “gender” that they consider giving any serious weight to the concept barbaric.

          I know it’s a rhetorical question: but is Elon stupid or something?

    • Tabooki@lemm.ee
      828·
      17 days ago

      That’s not true in the least. He is CEO, CTO and Chief rocket designer. He’s deeply involved in every step

      • Eranziel@lemmy.world
        271·
        17 days ago

        He can give himself whatever titles he likes, that doesn’t mean he makes any positive technical contribution.

        • Tabooki@lemm.ee
          516·
          17 days ago

          Watch a few of the multi hour interviews he given while raining through explaining everything. He knows what he’s doing if you’ve not been paying attention. Lots of reasons to not like him but your completely wrong on this one

          • Tyfud@lemmy.worldEnglish
            222·
            16 days ago

            I have watched them. He’s just repeating things. He has no grasp of engineering or astrophysics at a fundamental level. He is a sales guy.

            The same is true for his software engineering skills. They are novice level, at best. Watching his engineering brainstorm sessions at Twitter was a painful experience. He only knows how to talk the talk. He constantly misuses key tech jargon and design patterns. His engineering group will literally visibly cringe whenever he makes a suggestion.

              • Tyfud@lemmy.worldEnglish
                61·
                16 days ago

                My dude.

                I’m a Principal software engineer with 27 years in the industry. I run a team of highly tenured, extremely badass engineers for an extremely large enterprise corporation with 30k+ employees.

                I know what I’m on about when it comes to software development.

                I’ve watched the musk interviews and behind the scenes brainstorming sessions for the Twitter 2.0 idea. He’s a hack.

                What are your qualifications for praising him?

      • COASTER1921@lemmy.ml
        61·
        17 days ago

        He’s far too busy with X, Trump, and his relationship drama to have any time to do anything close to being involved. Of the company’s he’s bought or been involved in creating SpaceX is toward the bottom of his priorities from what I hear.