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Relevent XKCD
One thing I’ve always wondered: let’s say we NEEDED to go to the moon right away, even if it meant taking a few safety shortcuts. Like, aliens landed there and demanded a face-to-face meeting before they destroy our planet and we don’t know how long they’ll wait for us (could be minutes, could be centuries, but who wants to find out?)… What’s the fastest we could, in theory, get there?
Just a civilian guess, but 2 or 3 Delta V or Falcon Heavy to put 1 payload into LEO with a command module and lander, then 1 booster with fuel. Short of using prototype lander, fabrication would take months at best. Then a Starship or SLS to get a crew, food, and water into orbit.
It depends, do you need to return your representative, or can we leave him on the moon? Latter is easier. Maybe he can hitchhike back with the aliens.
If it’s a one-way mission, it could be done with a Falcon heavy and a slapped-together lander sourced from NASA. Maybe even an old Gemini capsule or something from the Smithsonian.
Or you could send up a Falcon heavy with fuel payload, rendezvous with the ISS, pick up a 'naut, and steal a Soyuz, although I’m not sure if they can be configured to land on the moon
Responding because I am also curious about this.
Required in every discussion of Artemis.
Hopefully they don’t delay it again. They’re really taking their time.
Republicans will cancel it, I guarantee it. Then they’ll put their stamp on a new mission, put it all into SpaceX hands, and send Melon some more money.
Not so sure about that. SpaceX already has the lander contract for Artemis and that’s their main source of funding for starship development.
I think Trump really wants a big achievement like America back in space on his record, even if he doesn’t deserve it.
Nah, they should rush it
They need to consult with Wallace and Gromit
