A brief about Space Technologies by Adithya Annabathina, Texas
“Born too late to explore the world, and too soon to explore the universe” is a statement that the current generations are having to deal with. However, recently, certain technologies are being created that, if successful, could open up space exploration as something viable for people to engage in.
One such technological innovation is SpaceX’s Starship. While the concept of such a vehicle is not novel, the starship will regardless make space travel easier. A traditional problem that space exploration suffers from is cost. For Falcon 9, Starship’s current equivalent, the cost to send a single commercial satellite is 62 million USD. As stated on spacex.com, Starship promises to reduce this cost by having larger payload compartments as well as greater thrust output and fuel efficiency via the new Raptor Engine. Raptor Engines, which began beta testing in 2019, have a thrust output of 230tf. Overall, SpaceX’s Starship will be a big step towards reducing costs for satellite launches as well as interplanetary travel in the solar system.
(image from spacex.com)
On the topic of SpaceX, we should bring up their revolutionary ability to re-use their stage one of rockets. This is only possible due to the software in the rocket that allows it to land safely back on earth, using its own propulsion systems. The stage 1 of their rockets can return back to launch sites, or even in times where that is not possible, the rockets can go to a floating landing platform over the ocean.
Although this next technology was only a design, it is worth discussing the outlines and implications it would have on space travel. As stated on Wikipedia, Project Longshot was a project in which NASA looked into designing a rocket that could take us from Earth to Proxima Centauri, our closest star other than the sun. The project detailed a fusion reactor engine, however it required a 3x development of thrust output technology. Because this project was designed in 1987 however, some say that this project should be brought out and construction should begin. Unfortunately however, no progress has been made on this topic.
And lastly, as a part of the Artemis program, NASA, as stated on nasa.gov, is creating a Lunar Gateway. The gateway will serve as an ISS for the moon, with NASA and the ESA each providing certain parts of the ship. The gateway will also provide easy, long term access to the lunar surface. In the same program, NASA wants to put men back on the moon, as the last time humans were on the moon was in 1972.
(image from nasa.gov)
Sources:
https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Longshot