4 comments

  • infinitewars a day ago ago

    X stands for intercept

    Reusable rockets started with DC-X. SpaceX's first contract was for DARPA's FALCON Project (predates their rocket name). They're not exactly hiding intentions.

    • erk__ 19 hours ago ago

      How does that work with SpaceX's product called X (formerly known as Twitter)

    • aerospace-dude a day ago ago

      It goes a lot deeper than that. The inventor of space-based interceptors actually traveled to Russia with Musk in 2001 and they formed SpaceX on the flight home

      (See Michael D. Griffin)

  • Jamesbeam 10 hours ago ago

    Space not being my domain, but how do you prevent space-based launch platforms from getting attacked by adversaries crashing cheap satellites into them, grilling them with ground-based direct-energy weapons China is clearly developing capabilities for:

    https://www.hplpb.com.cn/en/article/doi/10.11884/HPLPB202638...

    https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/Chance_Salt...

    Or simply pushing them out of orbit in a space dogfight scenario?

    https://www.twz.com/44054/a-chinese-satellite-just-grappled-...

    I mean we know Musk has pretty pictures and PowerPoint slides but is overpromising and underdelivering on basically anything he touches. That’s acceptable for cars and flamethrowers, but for national security?

    Full Golden Dome capability by 2028, I guess.