The SpaceX Dragon capsule has docked, NASA has a new partner in space exploration, and I am among a handful of writers who saw this coming:
(Wired News) — The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully berthed with the International Space Station this morning after a long overnight approach including several unplanned maneuvers. The crew at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, concluded a long night of flight demonstrations and troubleshooting by watching astronaut Don Pettit control the station’s robotic arm and grapple the Dragon at 6:56 a.m. PDT.
Not to blow my own horn, but allow me to blow SpaceX’s horn along with mine: I Told You So So. Maybe not you the FTB regular nice enough to humor me by reading my scribblings, but did I see this coming years ago and I Told Everyone. Outside of a few NASA insider rebels, a few thoughtful readers, and some plucky entrepreneurs, I took some shit for that from conservatives and progressives for the last three years running.
“Why is Obama destroying the space program?” many of my conservative friends jabbed. “No space junkets for billionaires!” some of my progressive friends griped. Well, like most things in science and politics, its way more complicated than simplistic soundbites, and hopefully soon I’ll have a more convincing case to put before you, Gentle Reader, as to why this is not just the best way to go, it’s the only viable way left. Consider for example that when the Falcon 9 aborted at the last second last week, SpaceX engineers replaced some engine parts while that bird was on the pad pointing skyward in just a few hours. I don’t know how much you know about government agencies, but NASA working with traditional cost-plus aerospace contractors could have dragged that operation out for weeks.
But for now, let me say just one more time, with the sumptuous vowels rolling over my tongue like delicious chocolate treats, I Told You So, and I Was Right.
Thank you, I’ll be here all week!
Ain’t it amazin’ how that socialist, communistic, nazi Kenyan is supporting the development of free enterprise in space travel? And whose fighting him, a bunch of rent-seeking, Dixiecrat, so-called Republicans who allegedly believe in free enterprise. What a crock! YaY SpaceX! Yay NeoSpace! Ad aspera per astrum!
P.S. I cried when I read about the docking. What a great day!
I watched the docking live online.* Saw the Flacon 9 launch live on NASA TV on my computer. Just as I’ve watche dso many launches and encounters now since I’ve been able to do that. This would’ve been unheard of, unthought of just a few decades ago.
Predicting the future can be hard.
(Well done Stephen “DarkSyde” Andrew btw! ;-) )
We humans can come up with, build and fly some astounding marvels. This is one of them.
Yeah, I’ll admit I had my doubts and misgivings before – and there’s still a long way to go. But, yup, I’m officially impressed by SpaceX now.
+++++++
* I didn’t cry but I sure did cheer and feel a huge buzz and loved watched it.
I welcome your new career as a psychic!
And though I haven’t followed the private space race, (or any space race since the early shuttleI days) congratulate SpaceX on their success!
Toot that horn if you wish, but I am immune: I knew this day would come, and I see even further. Privatization is the best way to get people from Location X to Location Y, even if X is Earth’s surface and Y is Earth’s orbit or other planets. Fact is, money is what it all comes down to. Oh sure, we have a need to explore, but there’s a difference between stocking a boat and stocking a space ship, and it comes down to money.
People have often said, if there was oil on Mars, we would have been living there for decades. They’re right. Well, some people have finally found ways to make money on going into space. It was just a matter of time.
… also, I didn’t read your blog 3 years ago, so you didn’t tell me anything. *cough*