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Tweets are so short , but they can create firestorms. This morning Elon Musk did so on 2 fronts; the timing of a SpaceX IPO and clarifying what the mysterious MCT is - the latter being what many had suspected,
A Mars Colonial Transporter may seem whimsical except for the fact that SpaceX is negotiating with NASA for the use of Pad 39A, the remaining super-heavy launcher capable pad that launched Saturn V. The MCT launches would lift much more - estimates run 150 to 230 metric tons. Saturn V did about 112 metric tons.
The 'long term' he refers to has been stated to be about 10 years. The first step is already in development with the Raptor staged combustion methane engine family, and their stated plan to build a large core (stated 7+ meters, likey 8-10 meters) rocket factory at their new private spaceport - odds are near Brownsville Texas (Boca Chica beach.) The cores would be barged to KSC for integration and launch.
No near term plans to IPO @SpaceX. Only possible in very long term when Mars Colonial Transporter is flying regularly.
The 'long term' he refers to has been stated to be about 10 years. The first step is already in development with the Raptor staged combustion methane engine family, and their stated plan to build a large core (stated 7+ meters, likey 8-10 meters) rocket factory at their new private spaceport - odds are near Brownsville Texas (Boca Chica beach.) The cores would be barged to KSC for integration and launch.