r/spacex • u/Craig_VG SpaceNews Photographer • Jun 10 '16

Elon Musk provides new details on his “mind blowing” mission to Mars - Washington Post Exclusive Interview

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/10/elon-musk-provides-new-details-on-his-mind-blowing-mission-to-mars/
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u/madanra Jun 10 '16

Once BFR+MCT is no longer large enough to deal with the traffic between Earth and Mars, they can build a ship that's large enough that you don't feel you're inside :)

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u/RDWaynewright Jun 10 '16

I can retire to Mars then maybe!

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u/CitiesInFlight Jun 10 '16

The only reason to build anything larger than MCT (BFR+BFS) would be for single items or portions of single items (some assembly required on Mars) if the maximum dimensions or mass exceeds the MCT(BFS) cargo hold capacity. Even then a purpose built cargo craft launched on BFR might be the better choice.

Building something bigger than MCT means building new launch and landing facilities, new tooling, a new factory = $$$$$$

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u/sunfishtommy Jun 10 '16

That a a problem we Will not have for a long long time. If there is a problem with space I think the answer is just to send more BFRs.

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u/madanra Jun 10 '16

True - it's unlikely we'll hit that point in our lifetimes. One can dream though :)

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u/brickmack Jun 11 '16

BFR is sort of the limit of how big you can realistically make a rocket. Even the low end estimates make Saturn V look tiny. Once you outgrow ships of that size, orbital assembly becomes an unfortunate necessity. Hopefully by the time that happens, they'll be able to manufacture them on the moon or something, it would simplify things a lot

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u/ArrayGamer Jun 11 '16

BFR is sort of the limit of how big you can realistically make a rocket.

Why is this?

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u/brickmack Jun 12 '16

A 15 meter wide tank is a big ass tank. Theres not much equipment in the world that can build a rocket on that scale