DIY Spaceships

[Frewfrux]

A couple of guys getting together and deciding to build their own spaceship.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/12/visual-guide-the-making-of-diy-space-capsule-tds80/

Now, if this became common place, even on a small scale, what impact would this have on our near future space economies? What about a far future Earth, or even an interstellar society?

I love the part where they used a hairdryer to keep a part from freezing up.

 

[Timerover51]

Probably similar to how the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Federal Aviation Administration interface. Certain standards for construction and materials will be required, restrictions on usage will be set, and limitations of charging for passengers and/or cargo will be made.

You have a very limited number of people willing to build their own aircraft, even if they can purchase a kit to use. I imagine that the number of people willing and/or able to build their own space ship will be even smaller. Then there is the minor matter of funding such a craft build.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Can't get more DIY than building a spaceship in a scrap yard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvage_1

 

[Timerover51]

Can't get more DIY than building a spaceship in a scrap yard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvage_1

That was an interesting show. Not your typical Andy Griffith as a backwoods hick. Be interesting to do something like that with say the General Products shipyard mentioned in the Kinunir, Adventure 1.

 

[ShapeShifter]

The pilot was great (from what I can remember), but it spiralled into terrible quality quickly thereafter.

 

[DaveChase]

Yeah, I liked the show too.

Specially the episode where she had him try to fly the craft by hand to prove to them why they needed a computer to make the craft work.


Future thinking here

the ISS (or a commercial version of it) rents out space for living and office
Some commercial business (salvage, repair/upgrade/maintenance) work from the ISS on a contract basis so that companies do not have to hire and train their own employees

I would guess that this could be a reality with in 25 years fairly easily

Dave Chase

 

[Vladika]

A couple of guys getting together and deciding to build their own spaceship.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/12/visual-guide-the-making-of-diy-space-capsule-tds80/

Now, if this became common place, even on a small scale, what impact would this have on our near future space economies? What about a far future Earth, or even an interstellar society?

I love the part where they used a hairdryer to keep a part from freezing up.

I'd guess my complaint with this is it's NOT a spaceship. It's not any kind of ship. It's just a capsule, not capable of any maneuver and unmanned to boot. It doesn't even launch itself. It's nothing more than a payload.

That being said, I love the initiative shown and can see NASA taking third place soon. (They're already second as we can no longer launch, or service, large satellites.) Sputnik placed the Russians 1st in the space race and the demise of the Shuttle has put them back in 1st place.

 

[Frewfrux]

I'd guess my complaint with this is it's NOT a spaceship. It's not any kind of ship. It's just a capsule, not capable of any maneuver and unmanned to boot. It doesn't even launch itself. It's nothing more than a payload.

That being said, I love the initiative shown and can see NASA taking third place soon. (They're already second as we can no longer launch, or service, large satellites.) Sputnik placed the Russians 1st in the space race and the demise of the Shuttle has put them back in 1st place.

True, it isn't really a spaceship at all. However, it IS manned...or, at least, that's what they are working towards. All the unmanned missions are just tests for the manned ones.

And while it may not qualify as a real spaceship, it's a step towards one at least.

 

[savage]

118km altitude.
Suborbital ;(

If they prove it works and mass produce it less than the private space plane they will get buyers.