[peter303]

SpaceX might launch a Mars lander during the 2018 low energy window. Though I am guessing more likely the 2020 window following that.

NASA is fully cooperating with SpaceX by doing things like providing detailed data of previous Mars landings. NASA is SpaceX largest customer and financier. Many ex-NASA people workmat SpaceX. These data are public. But it helps to have good communication channels.

[drzaiusapelord]

>SpaceX might launch a Mars lander during the 2018 low energy window.

Is this budgeted? Is it on a launch docket? Is there a rocket ready for it? Is the lander completed? 2018 is right around the corner and frankly I'm getting sick of "Spacex might" comments. There's a big difference between "might" and "do." When you see a mission on the NASA roster, its ready to go and unless there's some serious technical issue, it'll happen.

I'd like to see more "do" from SpaceX that isn't LEO flights and landing on barges.

[cryptoz]

> Is this budgeted?

Yes.

> Is it on a launch docket?

Yes.

> Is there a rocket ready for it?

It's being built right now, the test is in December.

> Is the lander completed?

It's being built right now, the test is soon.

> 2018 is right around the corner and frankly I'm getting sick of "Spacex might" comments.

SpaceX has completed every single thing they have ever said they would do, except for things that remain in the future. I don't know how you could be sick of "SpaceX might" because it generally means "SpaceX will".

> I'd like to see more "do" from SpaceX that isn't LEO flights and landing on barges.

They're planning on colonizing Mars by sending 80,000 people per year until there are millions living on Mars. They have been working steadily towards that goal for 15 years. They are extremely busy and making the most rapid progress in spaceflight since the beginning of spaceflight itself. Take a step back and realize how much SpaceX is actually doing. If this isn't enough "do" for you, then I think nothing in the world or anywhere in the solar system would satisfy whatever you're looking for.

[drzaiusapelord]

So in other words no rocket and no lander, but will be in the air in 18 months? Pardon my skepticism, but I think you're buying into "Elon Musk Time" which promises x but comes out y or never.

SpaceX is impressive, but I think its fandom is out of control. Repeating marketing and PR pieces to me isn't convincing. I wish them the best of luck but a 2018 launch isn't happening. I'd be surprised if any of this happens before 2022-2025.

[greglindahl]

This is a pretty extreme response to someone who said that "SpaceX might launch a Mars lander during the 2018 low energy window".

[ceejayoz]

I think you're mixing up Falcon Heavy / Crew Dragon with the proposed 2018 Mars mission, "Red Dragon" (which will probably launched by a Falcon Heavy, but will involve a heavily modified Dragon v2). My understanding is we won't have any details on Red Dragon until September.

[BrandonMarc]

The "Red Dragon" mission will indeed involve a Falcon Heavy and a modified Crew Dragon, craft which are mostly complete and will be tested in the near future.

The September announcement at the International Astronautical Congress will be their full proposal for sending humans to Mars, including BFR, MCT, ISRU, the whole works.

For more info, check out the SpaceX forum on Reddit. I know Reddit has a reputation, but the SpaceX fans run a top-notch community there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex

[ceejayoz]

Elon Musk time means "2018" is almost certainly going to be 2020 or 2022 (even with NASA's promise of technical support). That said, "landing on barges" is potentially a massive step towards reusable, cheap launch vehicles, and it's one their competitors mocked them for even attempting.