urbanMSP

SpaceX is planning an interplanetary transportation system to Mars

Very cool. Hopefully SpaceX and NASA can eventually work together, instead of planning entirely independent expeditions.

Thoughts:

200kW is... not very much. The International Space Station's arrays generate like 150kW, if I remember correctly, and maxes out at six crew, as well as not having quite as much complexity as an interplanetary vehicle.

This is probably just for dramatic purposes, but why would you launch the crew first instead of the fuel? Fuel doesn't need life support while you wait for the crew to arrive.

During the talk afterwords he mentioned that the crew might join after and transfer to the fully fueled craft depending on how quick their launch cadence is.

Earth is flat. "Mars" is a small object suspended in the firmament.

Great news, ...now let's move this thread to the Transportation tab!