Elon Musk’s Starship is a potentially revolutionary spacecraft that could transform space exploration. It is designed to be a reusable transport system that can carry as many as 100 passengers to Mars. Finally, after much anticipation, SpaceX has received FAA approval for Starship’s first orbital launch.
According to SpaceX, the initial trial of Starship is planned for Monday, April 17th. However, Elon Musk himself has admitted uncertainty regarding the exact launch date. SpaceX was created with the goal of making life multi-planetary, and Musk believes that establishing human colonies on other planets, like Mars, could safeguard humanity in the event of an Earth-shattering catastrophe, such as a significant asteroid collision.
“He stated in 2016 that humanity would follow two paths. If we continue to exist solely on Earth, our species will inevitably face extinction,” he said.
Elon Musk has frequently shared his vision of creating cities on Mars, and he believes that the only solution to humanity’s survival is becoming a spacefaring species and settling on other planets. He envisions that in order to be self-sustaining, such colonies would require a significant number of inhabitants.
Achieving this ambitious goal necessitates the development of a capable spacecraft. Starship is a hybrid rocket and spacecraft that has the potential to transport over 100 individuals to Mars simultaneously.
Starship has been engineered to be entirely reusable and have a rapid turnaround time. Unlike some other launch systems that jettison their primary components into the ocean or let them burn up during re-entry, Starship’s hardware elements are recovered on the ground so that they can be reused.
The rapid reusability of Starship enables it to be refilled with propellant shortly after returning from space, similar to the process of refueling an aircraft, which significantly reduces the cost of the entire operation. As a result, Starship’s ability to turnaround quickly could potentially revolutionize space travel.
Starship Overview: Starship, the spacecraft that will be launched, will be positioned on top of a rocket named Super Heavy. Together, they will reach a towering height of 120m (394ft) and are collectively referred to as Starship.
The spacecraft itself is made of stainless steel and is designed with a nosecone and landing fins, reminiscent of rocket-ships depicted in classic science fiction.
At the back of the 50m (160ft)-lengthy Starship, six exceptionally efficient Raptor engines are situated, which were crafted by SpaceX over the span of ten years. The engine’s design involves staged combustion, which reduces the amount of propellant that is squandered.
The propellant tanks are situated in the central section of the spacecraft and are responsible for providing liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (O2) to the Raptors.
Methane functions as the fuel for the Starship’s engines, while oxygen serves as the oxidizer, which is responsible for causing the fuel to combust. This fuel-oxidizer combination is often referred to as methalox.
Although unconventional for rocket engines, methane is capable of generating a significant amount of thrust, making it a suitable option for SpaceX’s goals, especially given Musk’s plans for Mars. The SpaceX CEO has suggested that CH4 could be produced from subsurface Martian water and atmospheric CO2 using a chemical process called the Sabatier reaction.
By using Martian resources to refuel Starship for the return journey to Earth, the spacecraft would achieve a degree of self-sufficiency, thereby making future missions more viable and cost-effective.
Located towards the front of the spacecraft, also known as the upper stage, is a colossal payload compartment that can transport significant cargo or a large number of individuals to distant destinations in space.
“He stated in 2016 that humanity would follow two paths. If we continue to exist solely on Earth, our species will inevitably face extinction,” he said.
The rocket will be propelled by approximately 33 Raptor engines, although this figure has changed several times in the past. It is expected to generate more than 70 Meganewtons (16 million lbs) of maximum thrust and capable of lifting at least 100 tonnes, possibly up to 150 tonnes, of payload to low-Earth orbit.
Super Heavy’s impressive specifications will make it more powerful than the colossal Saturn V launcher that was used for the Apollo Moon missions during the 1960s and 70s.
During the launch, the Starship will start to tilt towards the planned orbit. Once in space, the upper stage separates from the Super Heavy, which then turns over as it falls back to Earth. During its descent, the booster will utilize “grid fins”, steel structures that resemble potato waffles, to maneuver it back to its launch pad, allowing for reuse.
SpaceX has an ambitious scheme to catch the descending booster using its launch tower, which also gives the engineering team and crew access to the spacecraft and rocket while they are on the pad before launch.
The launch tower will have a pair of steel arms that will extend outward, and the grid fins will bear the load as the expended booster drops onto these arms. The tower has been nicknamed “Mechazilla” due to its likeness to a monster from the Godzilla films.
After the Starship upper stage separates from Super Heavy, it may enter a “parking orbit” where it can be replenished with fuel. Elon Musk explained in 2017 that without refilling, Starship could carry up to 150 tonnes of payload to low-Earth orbit, but would have no fuel for other destinations.
However, by sending tanker spacecraft to refill the propellant tanks in orbit, Starship could carry the full payload to Mars. To refill, the spacecraft would rendezvous and dock with another Starship that serves as a propellant depot in orbit.
Source : bbc.com