As SpaceX plans to colonize Mars
Technologies / / December 19, 2019
The American company SpaceX, a developer of unique space technology, is preparing to send tourists to travel to the Moon and to colonize Mars. Layfhaker explains why these projects are sure to come true.
What is SpaceX?
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation - a private US company established for space exploration. SpaceX manufactures and launches space rocket Falcon.In cooperation with NASA has developed Dragon space module - the first private ship which is used for the delivery of cargo to the ISS.
This is a project of the advanced billionaire?
Yes, SpaceX in 2002 founded the well-known businessman, engineer, inventor, investor and billionaire Elon Musk. Legendary personality: Musk - one of the founders of the payment system PayPal, the chief designer and CEO of Tesla Inc.Among its promising projects - vactrain Hyperloop, which will travel at speeds of more than 1,200 kilometers per hour, and development of technology combining the human brain with the computer.
It became the prototype of Musk and billionaire inventor Tony Stark - Iron Man from the famous kinovselennoy Marvel. Elon himself appeared on the screen in several films. In "Iron Man 2", he played a sidekick Stark.
What is different from other SpaceX rocket manufacturers?
The creators of the company set an ambitious goal: to make spaceflight cheaper and pave the way for the colonization of Mars. The SpaceX small by the standards of other cosmic developers and designers: a little more than five thousand people.The company does everything itself: designs, assembles, tests, produces the necessary components for missiles, including engines.
In addition, the boosters Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 and Dragon ship was originally conceived as reusable. Dragon is currently the only effective cargo ship, which can return cargo from space.
What has already been launched SpaceX?
The history of space exploration is as follows:- Five runs Falcon 1 launcher (three unsuccessful attempts, two successful).
- 32-launch rocket Falcon 9 (30 successful). In 12 of them the rocket went into space with a cargo ship Dragon (one start unsuccessful). Falcon also delivered to orbit earth satellites for various purposes.
And yet, what is considered a major achievement SpaceX?
In 2015, for the first time in history there was a landing on Earth of the first-stage rocket Falcon 9, after she brought the goods into orbit.Six months after landing were completing quests stage managed to land on an offshore platform.
At the end of March 2017 SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket with the first stage, which traveled into space the previous year. Then a rocket launched to the telecommunications satellite into orbit. After this first step back to the earth and sat on the floating platform.
Elon Musk did not keep his emotions after the completion of this mission: "This is a revolution that will change the very concept of space flights. It took us 15 years to get to this point. This is a great day for SpaceX and space exploration in general. "
What does this mean in practice?
The developers have succeeded: the Falcon 9 costs about 60 million dollars. About 80% of this amount falls on the first stage. The fact that it did reusable, will significantly reduce the costs associated with the production and launch of carrier rockets. So, the process and reduce the cost of space exploration in general.Musk has said he will run up to 20 times, and the flight price will be even lower in the future reusable rocket. Until the end of 2017 SpaceX wants to make 27 starts Falcon, including second-hand.
In addition, it is planned to make the Falcon 9 can again be sent into space just 24 hours after the return. In fact, it will make a rocket similar to airplanes.
What to expect from SpaceX in the near future?
By the end of 2017 the company wants to launch the first Falcon Heavy - carrier rocket heavy class. It will be able to deliver a low orbit and 55 tons of cargo (in the latest version of the Falcon 9 maximum payload twice less).It Falcon Heavy want to use for the delivery of cargo to Mars: the Red Planet rocket can carry about 13 tons.
Do SpaceX develops ships with the crew?
In 2011, SpaceX has entered a manned NASA program. The company has received funding to develop manned spacecraft Dragon V2. On board will be four astronauts.In November 2017 SpaceX plans to send the ship for the first test flight to the ISS without crew.
And in May 2018 Dragon V2 will go into orbit with astronauts already. The ship will be docked to the station, and two weeks later to go home, landing with the help of parachutes.
What about travel to the moon?
At the end of 2018 SpaceX will send a space ship Dragon V2 with two tourists on board. They are flying around the moon and return to Earth. Who wishes to go to a unique space travel found, they have already made an advance for the most unusual tour.The journey will take a week. Start carrier rocket Falcon Heavy, which will send to the moon ship, scheduled from the site at Cape Canaveral, where went the lunar mission Apollo program.
When waiting for flight to Mars?
Start carrier rocket Falcon Heavy and modified the ship Dragon V2, which will have to land on Mars (Mission Red Dragon), the company plans in 2020.Red Dragon capsule will have to gather all the information about the planet, to evaluate potential hazards and natural resources, test the landing heavy machinery on the Martian surface. Samples were sent back to Earth.
Until 2026 SpaceX intends to deliver to the first human Mars. Elon Musk has always said that founded the company in order to "help make mankind multiplanetnym view."
The company is already working on a spaceship for the first colonists of Mars - Interplanetary Transport System.