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Preview: SpaceX

May 31, 2012 1:50 AM

SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk recently became the first private firm to launch a space vehicle into orbit and successfully dock it at the International Space Station. The next test for SpaceX is whether it can become the first private venture to put a man into orbit. Watch Scott Pelley's report on Sunday, June 3 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

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by myopinionisgood June 5, 2012 7:34 AM EDT
The Government has always paid big companies to develop technology: i.e. awarding contracts for fighter jets and missiles. Once the technology is developed, the Government then pays the companies for each plane and missile they purchase. If we don't develop the technology here in the US, then it will be perfected in another country. This is the wave of the future. Our choices are simple, we can be washed away or ride it to new heights.
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by cyberzing45 June 3, 2012 7:22 PM EDT
"Space-X" is to NASA what the movie "The Astronaut Farmer" was to Washington! Just what the country needs to jump start it back into the Space Race again! The public wants to go into space and not just sit on the Earth. This Entrepreneur is the Right Stuff! Ignore the critics and go on "gut" instinct. I wish I could work with him.
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by frankiethepunk2 June 1, 2012 8:27 AM EDT
Looks like a interesting piece. I look forward to watching it. I think Elon Musk is turning into America's next important visionary like Steve Jobs. I also think his response showed class.
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by Spacegary March 19, 2012 7:33 AM EDT
What some astronauts are opposed to is that NASA is funding the development of this commercial hardware, but once the hardware is approved for use, these same companies will charge NASA for each flight. I think CBS reporters would dig a little deeper before criticising men like Neil Armstrong or Gene Cernan.
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by danmulligan March 19, 2012 6:47 AM EDT
It is extremely sad that Neal Armstrong has become an irrelevant old man (it did not have to be). Those with courage and vision will write the future.
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by xrotaryguy March 18, 2012 7:32 PM EDT
I really don't think it's fair to say that the ISS was a waste of money. This was the start of large scale international cooperation in space. The notion that we should not be sharing costs with other countries is a throwback to the cold war and earlier eras.

Manned space exploration should inspire all humankind to forged nationalism, separatism, and destructive discrimination in all of its manifestations. We need to inspire our generation and future generations to embrace scientific achievement and a better future for all humankind.

As for private companies being involved in space exploration, let's remember that much of the hardware that went into the early X Planes, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle was developed by private firms working for NASA. Private industry's involvement is expanding, but not new.
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by Sanescience March 18, 2012 5:48 PM EDT
"space heroes" of the past are not a monolithic group, there are those who are supportive and actively involved. Part of America's greatness is that private citizens have the freedom to tackle tasks by creating a fresh organization that has not suffered the "over growth" of bureaucracy that time seems to inevitably bring.
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by FSF703 March 18, 2012 4:31 PM EDT
For all the nay sayers who seem opposed to what Space X is attempting to accomplish here, would you rather we continue to pay the Russians Millions for each and every American who needs to be transported to the ISS?
I am fortunate in that I am a part of this program, albeit in a very small way here in Cape Canaveral, and very proudly so. I am equally proud of what NASA has accomplished here over the past 50 years ... but that was then, and this is now. Space X presents America with a new chance at a fresh start to regain our lead in the Space program - for that we should stand firmly with Mr. Musk and his dedicated team.
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by IKEpod March 18, 2012 2:59 PM EDT
If he gets a chance MUSK will do it on his own. He is not only a visionary (a rare species) but of ULA uses s the expertise to realize our dreams. SpaceX is more advanced in its technology than the competition, which in the case of ULA uses old Russian technology (a shame). US politics and US style competition (misinformation, outright lies, bullying, lobbying) is hampering progress, which may result in lesser technology used to achieve NASA's objectives.
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by SolX2010 March 18, 2012 11:15 AM EDT
As the CEO of Solar System Express LLC, another "New Space" company, I have been to Space-X's plant three times. They are doing amazing work, and are saving money by doing little things like; using smaller rocket engines that can be pushed around by hand instead of by forklift (think huge Saturn V rocket engines), using kerosene instead of hydrogen rocket fuel (less handing and storage costs), and putting their rocket together on its sides (removes scaffolding costs, lowers safety concerns, and saves expensive labor time wasted climbing up and down.
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