Space X. Just how regulated is it?

[Baitball Blogger]

How much regulation does the private Space X program get? Is this one of those public-private partnerships where the government allows a private corporation to break all the rules as long as it does work for them that wouldn't get public support if the information was in the public domain?

[FSogol]

1. What rule are they breaking? n/t

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Gee, let's see, some of us can't get on a commercial plane without getting the double check over,

but is there no watch dog keeping an eye on what a private space corporation is sending up in space from our soil and what their intentions are in the long run?

[madokie]

3. Do you know that theres no one doing any checking

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I haven't read any details in the paper about the things that they're doing,

outside of being called "private."

[oldhippie]

16. Does the paper have any details on what you are doing?

Or is that "private"?

[Baitball Blogger]

17. Are you kidding me?

Seriously? We're on a Liberal website, where you see all demands for government regulation on private corporations and you suddenly take the argument that a private space corporation, which launches rockets loaded with jet fuel, doesn't fit the model?

[oldhippie]

18. No, I take the argument that maybe ....

... they haven't done anything to elicit the newspaper's attention. Have you?

As others have asked, what makes you think that Space-X isn't getting oversight? Just because it isn't in the newspaper? That's what it looks like.

[Baitball Blogger]

22. Oh, so it's an everyday occurrence that something of the caliber of a space program becomes a

private enterprise? That should be news enough.

[oldhippie]

24. I think you are a little late to the party .....

It's not like this is new.

Ever heard of Orbital Sciences? Founded in 1982? I knew one of the founders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_Sciences_Corporation

Space-X is a Johnny come lately.

It doesn't happen every day, but there are a bunch of private space enterprizes. Space-X is the one currently of interest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_spaceflight

[Baitball Blogger]

25. That is actually a sad statement that space programs are "old news."

Frankly, I disagree.

[Ranchemp.]

4. How do you know that there isn't a watchdog keeping an eye Space X?

An educated guess would be that there is oversight by a federal agency on what is sent up on their rockets.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. That's all we have. An educated guess.

It's not a confidence booster knowing how abusive some of these public-private partnerships can get.

[Ranchemp.]

7. So far they seem on the up and up.

If or when they're caught with their hand in the cookie jar, so to speak, then I'll worry about it, but until then.....

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Thank God that we have such a proactive media.

[Ranchemp.]

9. They do have a 1.6 billion dollar contract with NASA,

so I'm quite sure that there is federal oversight on what is launched, they also do cargo supply flights for NASA.

http://www.spacex.com/about

Advancing the Future

Under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA, SpaceX will fly at least 10 more cargo resupply missions to the ISS, for a total of at least 12 —and in the near future, SpaceX will carry crew as well. Dragon was designed from the outset to carry astronauts and now, under a $440 million agreement with NASA, SpaceX is making modifications to make Dragon crew-ready.SpaceX is the world’s fastest-growing provider of launch services. Profitable and cash-flow positive, the company has nearly 50 launches on its manifest, representing close to $5 billion in contracts. These include commercial satellite launches as well as NASA missions.

Currently under development is the Falcon Heavy, which will be the world’s most powerful rocket. All the while, SpaceX continues to work toward one of its key goals—developing reusable rockets, a feat that will transform space exploration by delivering highly reliable vehicles at radically reduced costs.

Seems like a pretty good private/public venture so far.

[EOTE]

10. They're still subject to all rules from the FAA.

If you're aware of anything to indicate the contrary, we'd all like to hear it. Otherwise, it just seems like you're making wild speculations.

[FSogol]

11. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! "Otherwise, it just seems like you're making wild speculations"

[Baitball Blogger]

12. I asked a fair question.

If everything is on the level, it just needed a level answer. No need to go on the defensive.

[FSogol]

15. LOL. Defensive? Do you think I am Space X?

I asked a fair question too, what brought your question on? Instead of some news story or anecdote about Space X, I got a paranoid sounding suspicions that "sumptin's up with those corp-o-rate space men and the evil gubermint!"

Reminds me of the Dead Milkmen song, "Stuart":

"I first became aware of this, about 10 years ago, the summer my oldest boy
Bill Jr. died. You know that carnival that comes to town every year?
Well this year it came with a ride called the Mixer. The man said "Keep
your head and arms inside the mixer at all times." But Bill Jr., he was a
daredevil, just like his old man. He was leaning out saying, "Hey
everybody! Look at me, look at me!" POW! He was decapitated. They found
his head over by the snowcone concession. A few days after that, I open
up the mail and there's a pamphlet in there, from Pueblo, Colorado. And
it's addressed to Bill Jr. And it's entitled, "Do you know what the
queers are doing to our soil?"

Now Stuart, if you look at the soil around any large U.S. city with a big
underground homosexual population - Des Moines, Iowa, perfect example.
Look at the soil around Des Moines, Stuart. You can't build on it, you
can't grow anything in it. The government says it's due to poor farming.
But I know what's really going on, Stuart. I know it's the queers.
They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay
Martians. I swear to God."

[EOTE]

20. Are your children being lured by satanic cults? Find out tonight at 7 on Fox.

(7:00 on Fox)

Short answer, maybe. Long answer, definitely.



I don't really have any issue with what you posted, I'm just genuinely curious as to what brought it on and whether you have any information which suggests Space-X isn't regulated as everything else pertaining to flight is.

[Baitball Blogger]

21. I wanted to hear other people's views on the subject.

Space X is not something I have been following, and frankly, I haven't seen much written about the program in the local paper. That says a lot because I'm a bit of a news junkie. If it has a high profile, generally I'll see something on the subject.

What I do have is a horrendous experience with public-private partnerships. So the question seemed to be a fair ask.

I would think that those people who are in the know would appreciate the opportunity to share their knowledge, instead of getting on the defensive.

[X_Digger]

19. That's due to a partnership between the government and private airlines.

I can get on a privately owned aircraft without TSA knowing shit about me.

[Johonny]

13. They are launching NASA and USAF missions

and thus will be required to meet all the rules of those agencies as well as FAA regulations unless they are allowed to get a waiver. Why do you think SpaceX is magically different than ULA or Orbital that are private companies that launch things into space. I grant you there has been a worry the US would roll back space regulations in the name of getting cheaper (it has done so before) but that would be a universal program problem not just a SpaceX loophole.

I hope that answers you question.

[Baitball Blogger]

14. You did a wonderful job.

Thank you Johonny.

[A HERETIC I AM]

23. The idea that space transport or orbital payload insertion needs to be strictly government run...

Or that if there isn't serious regulation or oversight is 1960's thinking

If you think for one second that the likes of the Space-X's of the world are at all cavalier in their approach with regard to safety and thoroughness, you're mistaken

What possible benefit could come to a company involved in heavy lift operations to orbit that cut corners or was not utterly circumspect in their endeavors?

I find it completely encouraging that these sorts of firms exist.

I also find it DIScouraging that NASA has had no immediate follow up to the shuttle program.

Demand the cut in taxpayer supplied pay to the top 20 CEO's of the largest military contractors and double NASA's budget!


Fuck that. Cut the F-35 program off and quintuple the damned thing.