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I was at a Mass Innovation Nights (emerging tech entrepreneurs do mini-presentations and then have booths) event the other night and the focus was on space. There is some amazing new tech being developed, most around building and launching micro-satellites the size of a shoe box, many of which were presented.
Two were very interesting, an ion engine the size of a postage stamp, used for keeping small satellites in low orbit. Another was about cost-effectively launching satellites into space, the current, (numbers not exact) smallest model is 60 ft tall rocket with 10K lb of fuel, most of which is oxidizer. This new company uses a 12 ft tall rocket and under 100 lb of fuel using the atmosphere to provide the oxidizer through their new tech. I think they say a typical satellite launch is $145 million and requires piggybacking by lots of smaller satellite companies and their new model would come in around $10 million to launch the same.
The whole night was humbling to say the least. Some seriously brilliant minds were on stage. Draper backed this Innovation nights and probably has their hands in all of the presenting companies.
Anyway, all of this new tech will trickle up, whether to NASA or competitors to Elon Musk and others so more Space Shuttles should be on the way.
And I agree, there is a real and deep pride in being an American and seeing what we can do.
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Tru6 Restoration & Design
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