Blue Origin is just about to launch its reusable heavy-lift ‘New Glenn’ rocket in a few days. Are we about to see a version of Aesop’s tale of ‘The Hare & the Tortoise’ play out, with SpaceX playing the role of the hare?

This Sabine Hossenfelder video does a good job of laying out the argument - Jeff Bezos’ Space Plans Make More Sense Than Elon Musk’s.

In summary, Blue Origin’s plans are built around space stations in near earth orbit, while SpaceX’s plans are for Mars colonization. It’s far more likely Blue Origin’s plans can be realized in the 2030s and 2040s. Apart from China, no one else will have a space station by around 2030 when the ISS goes - there will be no other choice but to look to commercial providers.

Blue Origin’s plans for space stations designed as O’Neill cylinders with artificial gravity are the obvious next step on from ISS-type space stations.

  • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
    45·
    3 days ago

    Blue Origin is still far more likely to be successful with a space station long before a Mars colony is remotely viable. The list of challenges SpaceX hasn’t even started to explore in getting a viable Mars colony going is huge.

    • Bronzebeard@lemm.eeEnglish
      6·
      3 days ago

      But the space station has next to nothing to do with a rocket they’re almost ready to test for the first time…

      Having an idea you might get to eventually doesn’t make you the leader in anything.

        • Bronzebeard@lemm.eeEnglish
          4·
          3 days ago

          You’re the one who brought up the Mars colony. Not me.

          I was only talking about the practical, currently existent rocket capabilities. I thought I made that abundantly clear.

          • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
            22·
            3 days ago

            No, the original post brought it up. It was kinda the primary argument in the post you responded to at the top of this thread.

            If you’re arguing that SpaceX is currently ahead in rocket technology, then I’m not sure who you are arguing against.

            • Bronzebeard@lemm.eeEnglish
              4·
              3 days ago

              “about to pull ahead” is the topic of discussion here.

              “About to” is neither far in the future, nor the present. Words have meaning, can you please stick to them?

              • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
                11·
                3 days ago

                Words like “You’re the one who brought up the Mars colony.”?

                Get off your high horse.

                • Bronzebeard@lemm.eeEnglish
                  21·
                  3 days ago

                  In this thread line, when multiple comments had gone by without it being brought up at all? Yes. I was correct.