this is definitely something SpaceX does right. Even the most mundane launches is a multi-hour professional production with high quality cameras in multiple angles.. even when the thing explodes it feels like it went well.
ESA maybe does too little, but SpaceX does too much, at least to my taste.
Looking at SpaceX streams sometimes feel more like a sporting event than the coverage of a space mission. I mean, is it really necessary to cheer at every successful phase of the launch even though these are pretty much nailed down, that the mission is still underway, and that the hard part (like the landing when it wasn't a routine thing) is up ahead?
For me, NASA is the best. They show the things as they are, without trying to pump up the hype. I mean, rocket launches are maybe the most awe inspiring thing humanity can do, alongside nuclear explosions (imagine nuclear rockets if we ever make them). Some of the most iconic footage from NASA is technical footage, not originally intended for the public, so really, let the thing speak for itself, no need for SpaceX cheerleaders.
Another European here who is forced to mute the SpaceX streams because of a heavy feeling of cringe on behalf of the on-screen people.
But on the pro side: SpaceX was the pioneer with on-screen graphics, including the dynamic timeline displaying, where we are in the flight. I deeply appreciate that, not just for making it easier to mute the lunatics and the clapping. It’s good information design.
To me (european), I don't like how SpaceX shows off. The technology is cool though, but when I see their kind of communication, to me it sounds like "US marketing".
I don't think of it as showing off. I think of it as documenting for posterity.
We're at an inflection point when it comes to space exploration. Ar this rate, future generations will have days of video and documentation of the accomplishments in America, and a footnote along the lines of "Europe did some things, too. Visit the sub-basement of a library in an office building in Paris for more information."
Not sure who will spend days watching the same rocket takeoff and land :-).
Also at this rate, future generations will have to focus on surviving with much less fossil fuels (we're passed peak oil), in a world that basically wants to kill them due to global warming.
Chances are that days of video of the accomplishments of the generation that actively destroyed their world (while being fully aware of it) won't be their main concern.
Rockets are one of the things where we simply have to use fossil fuels, and its a drop in the bucket.
The resulting services and sats actually help in any reasonable climate change strategy.
> Not sure who will spend days watching the same rocket takeoff and land :-).
Here is the thing. Anytime can be the first time for somebody. If you don't make an effort to show everything you do, nobody will ever know you exists.
Yes some space obsessed people will watch everything, and that's fine also. But you never get those people if they don't see something first time.
I am European too and I like how transparent SpaceX is, and they don't even have to be. Arianespace literally tried to hide for 1 year that they had major issues with Ariane 5. When asked why it wasn't launching they were basically saying 'everything is ok'. But eventually journalist got wind off the fact that there were major issues in the fairings.
The culture of secrecy and non-transparency has done nothing but harm to European space flight.
Its not barging to show a video of a test fire or a test launch.
> Rockets are one of the things where we simply have to use fossil fuels, and its a drop in the bucket.
Well it's more than you may think (don't take only the fuel for the flight, but consider the whole construction of the thing).
But more importantly, they are making space a business. The first plane was a drop in a bucket, but it enabled modern aviation. If SpaceX hits their target of 10M per flight... rich people will go have lunch in space.
> The resulting services and sats actually help in any reasonable climate change strategy.
What? I very strongly disagree. But I won't elaborate more than you did.
> don't take only the fuel for the flight, but consider the whole construction of the thing
Making them reusable is a huge gain in efficiency.
> What? I very strongly disagree. But I won't elaborate more than you did.
Earth observation sat measure climate change. We measure the atmosphere with sats. We conduct planetary science. Sat imagery is vital when looking at ecosystems like the Amazon. Space based monitoring is valuable for all kinds of application and can increase efficiency of farming, mining, infrastructure and so on. Weather satellites are vital in many way, including preventing harm people. GPS is a vital technology for so many industries. Space based communication brings modernity to many people who don't live close to major infrastructure.
You simply can't separate modern humanity from space.
Granted space isn't anywhere close to the most important, but it does play an important role. Generally energy production, heating, transport and steel/cement are the real issues. And where the overwhelming focus should be.
> If SpaceX hits their target of 10M per flight... rich people will go have lunch in space.
Just like with aviation we need to consider what regulation we want to apply to these things. I am not against regulating these things.
Your attitude of nobody is allowed to show any pride in anything related to fossil fuels and its general bad and shouldn't be done is simply no way to go forward.
Well at this point it kind of loses a bit the value of "documenting for posterity", doesn't it? At least the small children I have seen don't really seem to realize what an achievement it is to land a rocket.
I mean, it's cool to have some videos. I watched a few SpaceX launches, and I still will watch the next Starship flights. But it's not like I watch every single launch of every single rocket (does SpaceX even make such an event every time?).
Looking at SpaceX streams sometimes feel more like a sporting event than the coverage of a space mission. I mean, is it really necessary to cheer at every successful phase of the launch even though these are pretty much nailed down, that the mission is still underway, and that the hard part (like the landing when it wasn't a routine thing) is up ahead?
For me, NASA is the best. They show the things as they are, without trying to pump up the hype. I mean, rocket launches are maybe the most awe inspiring thing humanity can do, alongside nuclear explosions (imagine nuclear rockets if we ever make them). Some of the most iconic footage from NASA is technical footage, not originally intended for the public, so really, let the thing speak for itself, no need for SpaceX cheerleaders.