The man who sold the moon

What Hacker News says

1. hutzlibuOct 2022
   I am also exploring the idea for a SciFi setting.

   The solar sintering by Markus Kayser looks neet, but it is not practical in its current shape, it does not produce useful outcome. Too brittle.

   The main problem is, the heat from the sun is not cohaerent.

   There are fluctations in the sky for example, that will make the heat changes drastically. (there is a paper about this from a professional solar furnace, I need to find again)

   Reading tip, "The man who sold the moon", from Cory Doctorow. Which also explores the idea of solar 3D sintering (but ignores the limitations).

   So I do strongly believe, the whole concept has big potential, beyond entertaining SciFi - it is just not so easy. I think a way to go, could be to have the base load directly from the sun - and then a laser for the exact heat where it is need.

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2. IgorPartolaAug 2017
   Book recommendation: The Man Who Sold the Moon by Robert Heinlein. One of the things handled in the plot is the fictional assertion that the moon is covered in diamonds.
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3. zemMay 2015
   read heinlein's "the man who sold the moon" for a very good portrait of a hero-entrepreneur-visionary. i think that's more in line with musk's mystique than hero-inventor; he's not so much the man who invents things as the man who collects inventors together and makes things happen.
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4. gregpillingDec 2012
   Lockheed and Boeing are both very capable of building planes at scale, and in a competitive environment. Currently their space vehicles are built on a cost-plus model, but I think that L-B can adapt. Musk has an advantage today in cost, and should be able to maintain that for a few years, but don't think that Lockheed or Boeing can't compete once they realize that the gravy days are over.

   It should be an exciting next decade for space travel. Maybe all the sci-fi I read will start to come true. Getting anything into space is a big challenge and hopefully soon the market will have several private companies competing in a real market for space travel. For a nice short story, look up "The man who sold the moon" by Robert Heinlein. Then we can discuss whether or not Elon Musk is the re-incarnation of the fictional character DD Harriman.

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5. daviApr 2009
   The Man Who Sold the Moon, by Robert Heinlein

   http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Sold-Moon/dp/0671578634

   (spoilers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Sold_the_Moon)

   Then, for fun, go on to The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, wherein a great acronym TANSTAAFL is introduced.

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6. bediger4000Dec 2024
   I've been wondering if Elon doesn't see himself as Heinlein's Man Who Sold The Moon, only that's already taken so Mars.
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