Soon, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is set to launch a space vehicle prototype that will revolutionize interstellar travel. Starship is set to be the first fully reusable transport system that can carry up to 100 people to the Moon, Mars, and more.
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What is the SpaceX Starship?
In a SpaceX event in 2016, Elon Musk outlines his rationale by stating, "History is going to bifurcate along two directions. One path is we stay on Earth forever, and then there will be some eventual extinction event" he further says, "The alternative is to become a spacefaring civilization and a multi-planet species, which I hope you would agree is the right way to go."
According to the SpaceX website, the term "Starship" collectively refers to SpaceX's Starships and its Super Heavy rocket. It represents a fully reusable transport system.
Designed to carry cargo and crew to orbit the Earth, Mars, Moon, and beyond, the Starship is set to be the most powerful launch vehicle developed in the world. It will be able to transport a load exceeding 100 metric tonnes to the Earth's orbit.
The Starship stands at 120 meters or 394 feet in height.
The stainless-steel spacecraft resembles ships from science fiction's golden age, from its landing fins to its nosecone.
The Upper Stage is 50 meters or 160 feet long, includes a payload compartment that will be able to haul both large cargo and people to its desired location in deep space.
The propellant tanks are located towards the middle of the spacecraft feed liquid oxygen (O2) and methane (CH4) to six Raptor engines also developed by SpaceX. The engines are a reusable methalox staged combustion engine that will power the Starship launch system.
Flight testing of Raptor engines began in July 2019, becoming the first-ever full-flow staged combustion rocket engine flown.
According to a BBC article, SpaceX has spent over a decade developing the Raptor engine and its distinct fueling system.
Methane isn't the typical fuel source for space exploration. However, according to Musk, methane can be synthesized from the Red Planet's surface should the colonies be established.
The Super Heavy rockets that are 70 meters or 230 feet long will be filled with 3,400 tons or 6.8 million pounds of cryogenic methalox. The rockets will be powered by 28 Raptor engines providing 16 million pounds or 72 Meganewtons of thrust.
Together, the thrusts from the Super Heavy rockets and the Raptor will be able to lift at least 100 tonnes of cargo, crew, and payload to low-Earth orbit.
Super Heavy is more powerful than the Saturn V launcher used during the Apollo Lunar Missions in the 1960s and 1970s.
According to Musk, the Starship will be used for long-haul trips to the Red Planet and back that could take up to nine months each journey. The CEO is also planning to install roughly 40 cabins in the upper gate payload area.
Despite the early stages of testing and development, Elon Musk's new Starship is slated to be a game-changer in space travel and exploration.
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