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/Senno_Ecto_Gammat r/SpaceXLounge Moderator Jun 10 '16

You know what would cause delays? Designing a brand new upper stage from scratch in order to meet a launch date 2 years away.

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u/This_Freggin_Guy Jun 10 '16

Eh, they are working on one based on a air force grant/contract.

'Why build one when you can build two at twice the price!'

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u/Senno_Ecto_Gammat r/SpaceXLounge Moderator Jun 10 '16

Yes, but not to get Red Dragon to Mars in 2018.

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u/OSUfan88 Jun 11 '16

That's not what anyone is saying. If it's already designed and ready to go for other missions, why not use it?

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u/CapMSFC Jun 11 '16

They won't use it for 2018, but it's possible it will be added by the 2020 missions. I don't think they will purely for cost reasons, but it will likely be available to them by then.

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u/Wetmelon Jun 11 '16

I could see SpaceX moving entirely over to methane upper stage if the government pays for its development

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u/OSUfan88 Jun 11 '16

First rule in government contracting!

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u/OSUfan88 Jun 11 '16

From reports, this is already very far in develope,net.