High-res Upon seeing my 3D printers, most (normal civilians) ask: what do you do with that thing?  I heard the same question about my IMSAI 8080 in 1978.

Upon seeing my 3D printers, most (normal civilians) ask: what do you do with that thing?  I heard the same question about my IMSAI 8080 in 1978.

SpaceX’s Dragon comes home after an amazing, nominal nine Day Mission.  Aside from being an incredible accomplishment for a Silicon Valley bred company, the public reaction illustrates our deep national pride in US space efforts.  This mission is also illustrative of how the public and private sector should work together.  NASA’s support and expertise was essential; yet SpaceX delivered the goods at 25% of the cost of the tired/expensive Aerospace cabal that couldn’t produce a sequel to the Space Shuttle.  In fact, NASA and its subcontractor United Launch Alliance (Boeing+Lockheed) wracked up $10B in costs trying to develop the Constellation/Orion platform in time to take over for the Shuttle program only to be cancelled for cost over-runs and lack of progress.  SpaceX has spent $1B to start the entire company and launched three successful Falcon 9 missions. (An unprecedented success-rate in the history of new launch vehicles).

Note to Capital Hill: Should the US Postal Service downsize and outsource to FedEx and UPS? Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms? Health and Human Services?  Do we even know what these agencies are doing?

Bravo to Elon Musk and the entire SpaceX team.  We at DFJ are proud to be a part of it.

High-res Making history.  Early this morning at SpaceX mission control the team remotely guides Dragon to ISS. An excruciatingly slow, cautious approach follows stringent NASA protocol.

Making history.  Early this morning at SpaceX mission control the team remotely guides Dragon to ISS. An excruciatingly slow, cautious approach follows stringent NASA protocol.

SpaceX Dragon on its final approach maneuvers o berth with the International Space Station.  Epic!

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

When we do go back to the Moon or Mars 3D printers will be most valuable tools.  We can replace parts, build unforeseen needed objects - and perhaps create a new ride back