So I've figured out the way to bring back home Elon's Tesla Roadster.

@PearsonArtPhoto Wow! For science, for fun, or for profit?

Yes

It's not a 100% plan, but I have at least the high level mission points and a rough idea of how much fuel it would take.

It might be doable with an empty BFR, but I think it will take something a bit more then that.

Interesting! Does it need to wait a certain number of years for the Earth to be in a certain spot?

The strategy that I recommend is launching in the beginning of 2047, intercepting at the end of 2047, and reentering at the beginning of 2050.

I should probably trim the video down a bit, but... Sigh, too much work.

It doesn't quite fit a "go fund me" campaign ;-)

Would it pass near the Earth anyway around that time? I'm curious why it needs three years.

I did a whole test in KSP to make it work.

That's why the video takes almost an hour vs maybe 15 minutes, but... It really drives home the point I suppose.

what video?

oh that one!

You mean "why does it take more fuel..."?

No, the one that I'm currently putting together.

okay I see. This sounds like a lot of work!

It's a bit of work for sure...

7 different segments of video, the most complex that I've ever done...

I used this comic in it:-)

Ha! I like how Jupiter can provide 270 degrees of deflection but the Sun doesn't

Can KSP simulate our solar system? Can you put in the real Sun and planets?

There is such a system, but I just wanted a rough idea between a few possible ideas, and using the default KSP system was fine for that.

Oh I see what you mean.

There isn't yet a "Twitter" or "Facebook" for mission design ideas

It is still processing, but I'll give you an early copy.

@PearsonArtPhoto wow looks very snazzy!

It's hard for me to absorb information this way though, I have a short attention span when it comes to audio input, nothing approaching 1 hour for what should be a few delta-v vectors and epochs.

I wonder if there is an orbital mechanics tl;dr language?

I guess my problem is that I reduce everything to the minimal math first, and so it's hard for me to absorb things in a time-linear way.

this is the FIRST TIME I've actually seen KSP in what I would call "science mode"!

I've only seen pics of little green beings putting together random rockets and watching them disassemble unscheduledly.

I had no idea there was such a cool interface. No wonder so many people like it!!

OIC there is a tl;dr in the first four minutes!

Difference mentioned there is just capture soon after launch, or capture at aphelion.

The 1.5 year x 2 = 3 year thing is really cool! :-)

okay I've been sufficiently piqued, I'll check it out!

Listening to the YouTube video, it seems that the audio levels are a bit inconsistent... Sigh. I will have to fix it and reupload, but that's okay.

That's why I do a test run before I publish it for some stuff:-)

@kimholder So I see you will be on The Space Show again.

yes, i stepped in last minute because he had a cancellation

i don't mention it any more because i've been on a bunch of times

you'd have to ask David why...

so, i guess i'll throw out that if anyone is free to send in an email question or call, i'm on in an hour.

Ahhh.

I'm going to re-do the entire video. It's too long, and just not quite right...

I might push the longer video out there sometime, but...

i must admit, i listened to only the first few minutes, and had it at 1.5 speed. My mind works like Rory's, i often put videos on at accelerated speed. and i will almost never watch a full hour long video, unless it is on a topic i specifically searched for by someone at the top of their field.

Yeah. I didn't realize how long it was until I put all of the pieces together...

I'll often have stuff like that in the background, but...

It's a bit long... And by a bit, I mean about 6x longer then it should be.

i feel your pain. it's hard to do a good short video.

I think I know how I'm going to do it, but...

It helps to have made the longer video, let a few people watch it, and realize it's just way too long.

I might even be able to use some of the pieces of the video.

for sure. you've taken what is probably the best approach - produce a lot of videos, and learn by doing and getting feedback.

i'm still bogged down in getting the genesis of Moonwards going, because of its nature and how big it is, i've realized i can't focus on that until much more is done.

Use Trello, or something similar.

Seriously, one of the best things you can do is to break things in to smaller chunks.

yeah, i've already done that. no, the issue is that the main colony is just a pretty large thing, and i have to build it myself because i don't have the funds to pay someone, and it would probably take just as long anyhow because i'd need to explain everything and figure out how to evaluate work and actually be a manager.

it's getting close to done. if i wasn't so particular about quality, i could just say it's done now. but i am particular, and after i go to the next phase, i can't go back, so i want to feel ready

You might consider spending more time building interest then building the site, but it's a hard line to balance.

I could probably dig up a few reporters you could talk to who might be interested.

@PearsonArtPhoto i sort of did that for a while, and eventually felt the interest was getting beyond what i could handle, even at this introductory stage. all i have is a website. you had the basics of what you are offering as soon as you opened the doors, i still don't have most of it, and getting it ready takes months, not weeks.

i don't multi-task well. i need the main things done. i'm mostly at peace with that, i can keep doing this for years even if it never makes a cent.

David has offered to help me with contacts as well. i'll keep both of you in mind when the time comes, i appreciate that.

Fair enough.

There, under 10 minutes. Much better:-)