Elon Musk sending SpaceX/Boring Company engineers for Thai cave rescue
What's the story
Elon Musk has offered to help rescue the football team which is currently trapped in a Thailand cave. The team of 12 and its coach went missing last month in the flooded Tham Luang cave complex. The Thai government is on to the deadly rescue mission. Last night, a former Thai Navy SEAL diver died after delivering oxygen tanks to the team.
Twitter Post
Musk offering rescue services to the Thai government
SpaceX Boring Co engineers headed to Thailand tomorrow to see if we can be helpful to govt. There are probably many complexities that are hard to appreciate without being there in person.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2018
Brainstorming
Musk explores potential solutions
Musk is sending engineers from SpaceX and the Boring Company to help in the rescue operation. He said that the Boring Company in particular "is pretty good at digging holes" and working with "advanced ground penetrating radar." Exploring potential solutions, Musk suggested that his businesses could supply "fully charged Powerpacks and pumps" in order to aid authorities.
Twitter Post
Can try creating an underwater tunnel for rescue mission: Musk
Maybe worth trying: insert a 1m diameter nylon tube (or shorter set of tubes for most difficult sections) through cave network inflate with air like a bouncy castle. Should create an air tunnel underwater against cave roof auto-conform to odd shapes like the 70cm hole.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2018
Details
Determining the best way to assist govt's efforts: Boring Company
A Boring Company spokesperson said, "We are speaking with the Thai government to see how we can help, and we are sending SpaceX/Boring Company people from the US to Thailand to offer support on the ground." James Yenbamroong, founder of Thai satellite communications business Mu Space, said that SpaceX "reached out to us to help connect to Thai government".