Will Interorbital Dominate The Space Tourism Industry?
(Hat Tip: Spaceports, Image Credit: Interorbital)
So far the biggest contender in the upcoming space tourism industry is probably Virgin Galactic, whose early entrance (plus safety features) may give it a “Google” edge over its rivals.
However a new entrant to the field is promising to make its rides more attractive by not only offering up to a weeks worth of weightlessness (for $2.5 million) but by also down playing the major players in the upcoming space arena.
(Interorbital) Several companies are currently offering seats on manned suborbital joyrides. Some rocketplane developers are advertising two-hour suborbital trips into space. Beware! An actual suborbital rocketplane ride to the edge of space and back lasts only 15 minutes. Most of the two-hour suborbital trip will be spent cramped inside the rocketplane’s cockpit being hauled up to launch altitude. And then, after the completion of the 15-minute suborbital roller coaster ride, the passengers will have experienced only a few minutes of zero-G (while strapped in their seats) and spent only a few minutes in space. An orbital spaceflight is a completely different experience.
Orbital missions take place at altitudes of 100 plus miles (161 plus kilometers) above the Earth. In a spaceship traveling at 17,500 miles-per-hour (28,226 kilometers-per-hour) in Earth Orbit, passengers experience uninterrupted zero-G, and gaze at nonstop panoramas of the Earth and of limitless space. They can marvel at an unending series of sunsets and sunrises; see the wakes of large ships on the world’s oceans; track weather systems from a wildly new perspective; talk to friends and family from orbit and share the wonder. An orbital expedition is the only way to experience real space flight.
Note: Original paragraph broken in two by editor for easier reading.
Interorbital plans on launching their first rocket joyride in 2009, and is even offering discounted “rebate” tickets at $250,000 for the first ten clients. If they are successful in their adventure, Interorbital may help redefine the space industry, as well as attract more “thrillionaires” towards space.
Note: While Interorbital may be downplaying Rocketplane (not to mention Benson Space and EADS), they better have some serious hardware to back those bold words, lest they end up as fodder for the Space Cynic.
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NASA Warms Up To NewSpace, Offers Commerical Launchpad
It looks as if America’s one and only space agency is taking aggressive measures to court the private sector (aka NewSpace).
(Florida Today) NASA will unveil plans this week that would enable Florida or private companies to build and operate a commercial launch complex at Kennedy Space Center.
With shuttle fleet retirement set for 2010, the complex could pave the way for an American company to launch U.S. astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station rather than buying those services from Russia.
While there are many space firms seeking to launch American astronauts when NASA retires its shuttle, SpaceX seems to be best positioned to help “fill in the gap” while NASA works on the Orion rocket.
This is a smart move by NASA, as outsourcing its transportation to Russia may not be a wise idea, especially with tensions heating up between the two space powers.
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Bigelow Aerospace: 50 Launches In Five Years?
(Hat Tip: Space Pragmatism)
(Image: Bigelow’s first Space Station, Genesis 1, currently in orbit)
If there was any space firm out there turning galactic dreams into reality, it would have to be Bigelow Aerospace. Known mostly for their inflatable space stations, this company is quickly becoming “the Google” of the space industry.
After previously teaming up with Lockheed Martin, the future space station corporation is scheduling 50 rocket launches in less than half a decade, a feat most nations could only dream of accomplishing.
(Flight Global) Commercial orbital complex developer Bigelow Aerospace is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to provide a manned capsule and up to 50 Atlas V launches for crew and cargo by 2015. [...]
In late 2006 Bigelow announced it was in talks with Lockheed and the two are now in firm discussions for a contract for the 2010 and 2011 launches followed by six launches in 2012, 12 in both 2013 and 2014 and then 18 in 2015, in line with Bigelow’s business plan.
“The capsule has to be determined at this time. Lockheed has a concept for a capsule. Our application is specifically for experienced astronauts and we will have our own training regime,” says Bigelow.
If successful humanity may see multiple space stations funded not by government taxes, but by private corporations using common sense and a solid business plan.
Currently Bigelow is attempting to launch a human habitable space station, which may ultimately spell out an uncertain future for the International Space Station.
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Is NewSpace Becoming Mainstream?
Often seen as the weirdo outsiders with too much time (and too little money) on their hands, the private space industry–often called NewSpace–are often marginalized to the side of the “overall space race” with greater emphasis placed upon NASA and their favorite pals Lockheed-Martin and Boeing.
But with the Bigelow Aerospace partnering with Lockheed-Martin, Dan Schrimpsher from Space Pragmatism brings up an interesting point regarding this relationship.
(Space Pragmatism) It is common among new space folks to talk about traditional aerospace as “dinosaurs” who live off the government and pooh-pooh creativity and innovation. However, what I think this proves it the more correct statement that they are looking for profit.
Lockheed builds rockets for the military and NASA because it is a safe way to make money. What the new agreement with Bigelow shows me is that Lockheed Martin sees these stations as a viable way to make money. They don’t normally push new ideas because they are risky.
If Lockheed sees this new venture as a future success, could it be a signal that NewSpace is becoming more mainstream? If so that is good news for the tiny space firms that dot the American soil, not to mention public companies like SPACEHAB and SpaceDev.
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SpaceX Engine Firings Give New Hope
(Hat Tip: Commercial Space Watch, Video Below)
While most NewSpace companies either dreaming of reaching the stars (or seeking government backing before they can visit the stars), SpaceX is slowly, but surely laying down the foundation for when they will send rockets past Earthen skies.
Even though they still have quite a distance to go before they launch humans into space, SpaceX’s test multiple engine firings are giving hope that the commercial sector can pick up where the public left off.
(SpaceX Press Release) The engines operated at full power, generating over 180,000 pounds of force, equivalent to a Boeing 777 at full power, and consuming 700 lbs per second of fuel and liquid oxygen during the run.
“This is a major hardware milestone for our company,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “It marks the first time that we have simultaneously fired two engines on the same stage. No significant problems were encountered transitioning from single engine testing in November, which suggests that we will be able to ramp up rapidly to a full complement of nine Merlin engines. Our propulsion and test team has done a remarkable job.” [...]
SpaceX has designed its Merlin engine for rapid mounting and change-out. A new engine can be installed in a period of hours, a feature that will provide significant operational efficiency and responsiveness on the launch pad.
With the recent successful firings of their Merlin engines, SpaceX is not only on track to fulfill their launch schedule, but they may also help fill in for NASA after the agency retires its shuttle fleet.
SpaceX hopes to eventually bring down the prices of launching rockets into space, which may help make the industry competitive on an international scale. If successful, Elon Musk’s space “rebel” company may help spur innovation once again, which could ultimately lead towards cheap reliable access to space (aka CRATS).
Exit Question: If SpaceX continues to build upon its previous success, will its future stock make it worth more than Google?
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Space Tourim To Promote Space Medicine
One of the great benefits about space tourism is the industry will help reawaken the dream of humans traveling beyond the stars.
While the passengers themselves may not be charting out new worlds, their participation may help us navigate the medical arena of space travel.
(AMNews) “We’re bringing civilian space travel into a different medical paradigm,” said Jan Stepanek, MD, MPH, director of the aerospace medicine program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and a physician within Mayo’s executive health program. “Are these people going to have problems with coronary artery disease or pulmonary disease that could put them at risk? Something that could lead to an in-flight medical emergency that could compromise the safety of passengers or the safety of the flight?” [...]
This is why Mayo Clinic in Arizona has joined aerospace experts at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and Wyle Laboratories in Houston to form a medical space tourism program. The trio is offering commercial space flight companies their services to screen and prepare civilians for trips into orbital and suborbital space.
Even though humanity still has a long way before figuring out how we are going to live upon other worlds, this research should enable doctors to diagnose and (hopefully) prepare patients for the ride of their life time.
In time, doctors may be able to determine a standard to see who is fit to travel beyond the stars, enabling the masses to safely consider a future lunar side (or even upon Mars).
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Spacesuits Of The Future…For Today?
(Image Credit: Orbital Outfitters via The Future of Things)
While space suits have to be safe, who says that they have to be boring?
While many companies are in the process of developing unique “solar wear” for future astronauts, it looks as if Orbital Outfitters is concentrating on creating fashionable spacesuits for the emerging space industry.
(The Future of Things) Jeff Feige, CEO of Orbital Outfitters, said his company will soon reveal a model of a passenger spacesuit as well, adding that space travel reservations are quickly piling up. “Our mission is to provide low-cost, industrial quality spacesuits and related services to companies providing commercial and government space travel” – he said. [...]
The spacesuit’s inner layer is made from breathable materials, such as polyurethane, which is capable of preserving the atmospheric pressure level and of extracting sweat from the material underneath it. Details in regards to other fabrics that comprise the IS3C have yet to be disclosed. The most important aspects on which the company’s engineers focused were safety and mobility. Feige said they have succeeded in developing a relatively light suit with lower production costs than any NASA spacesuit. He added that the spacesuit has been tested and performed well under higher pressures than those used in NASA’s suit tests.
The suit also looks spectacular, although if Orbital Outfitters plans on releasing a similar version to space tourists, they may want to consider creating suits in various colors (to help space tourism companies differentiate from each other).
While this suit is probably not designed to handle the roughness of space itself, its success will help fuel the next generation of spacesuits worn by future colonists.
Update: Added image credits.
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Would You Want To Own (Future) SpaceX Stock?
Elon Musk, founder of Space Exploration Technologies (or SpaceX for short) has indicated that his company may consider going public in two years.
Despite being privately funded by the self made billionaire, SpaceX may acquire some serious cash in the future as Elon seeks to play off his company against rivals–both foreign and domestic.
(Reuters) Musk said he aims to put payloads into space for one-quarter to one-third of what his domestic competitors charge. He said he could beat by one-half the cost of international competitors including China, which he called the biggest potential competitor.
A spokeswoman for the rocket joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance, did not return a request for comment.
“I think going public might be some time in late 2009 … something on that order,” he said in a telephone interview from his headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
Reducing the cost of travel will not only guarantee the profitability of the company (not to mention any future stock), but also help set a precedent throughout the industry.
If SpaceX is able to reduce the cost of “rocket-fare,” then humanities chances of leaving the globe en mass will increase slightly, which will hopefully encourage other entrants to do the same.
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Is Florida Corning The American Space Market?
Ironically while the space tourism industry seems to be centered around the upcoming green spaceport in New Mexico, Florida is aligning itself with the major movers and shakers in the space industry.
After previously forming a partnership with Bigelow Aerospace, Florida has secured a future relationship with SpaceX (aka Space Exploration Technologies).
(Space Fellowship) Cape Canaveral FL – Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) held official ground breaking ceremonies today at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, opening a new era in commercial space operations. SLC-40 will be the primary launch site for SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 launch vehicle, with operations beginning in late 2008. [...]
“Initiating activities at the Cape in Florida is a major milestone in our mission to decrease the cost of reliable access to space,” said Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, at the ceremony.
“This is truly the beginning of a new era in commercial space in Florida and we are thrilled to help bring SpaceX to Florida” commented Space Florida CEO Steve Kohler, who also participated in the ceremony.
Florida is already home to the Kennedy Space Center, which has been responsible for most (if not all) of America’s human space launches (at least in the public sector).
With SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace looking towards the sun shine state as a launching pad, Florida may gain a strategic advantage (long term wise) over its other 49 brethren.
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Space Angels To Invest In Our Solar Future
(Image Credit: Toon Tracker, via Reason Magazine)
In an era where the only way for a space firm to make a small fortune, is to start out with a large one, many companies have struggled to take their ideas beyond the power point presentations and into the “metal shop.”
Now it appears as if some angel investors have formed the Space Angels Network in order financially seed promising space companies, enabling them see if any of their ideas will blossom.
(Hobby Space) Space Angels Network, LLC, (www.spaceangelsnetwork.com) a virtual network of angel investors focused on seed- and early-stage investments for space-related ventures, announced today the launch of its operations in the U.S. and Canada. The company’s online platform and strategic relationships with venture finance and technology innovation organizations allow individual accredited investors to connect with space entrepreneurs for financing their innovative ventures.
“There is no question that a gap currently exists in the financing spectrum available to seed- and early-stage space-related ventures, and there are many angel investors around the U.S. and Canada eager to help fill that gap,” stated Burton Lee, CEO of Space Angels Investments, which operates Space Angels Network. “We aim to provide that platform-along with exceptional service, value, and key strategic relationships-to our members.”
While the group is probably geared towards the aerospace industry in general, hopefully they will consider more long range plans such as mining helium-3 on the Moon, harvesting metallic asteroids and even reducing the cost of transport (via Maglifts or Space Elevators).
Hopefully more groups like these will spring up, as investing in our solar future has the potential to helpfully impact our species for the next thousand years.
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Bigelow Aerospace, Space Florida To Create Another "COTS?"
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space)
Bigelow Aerospace, known for launching prototype space stations into orbit is partnering with Space Florida in order to fund their own version of COTS for the sun shine state.
(SpaceRef) “Our interest in this relationship is driven by Space Florida’s exclusive qualifications,” said Robert Bigelow President of Bigelow Aerospace. “With a distinctive aerospace manufacturing and launch infrastructure, and a vibrant workforce with deep expertise in systems development, Florida is uniquely positioned to facilitate the development of commercial space transportation systems.” “Diversification of the Florida aerospace industry – a critical path for bringing in new business and job opportunities – is one of three key areas of Space Florida’s focus during the last 12 months,” Kohler added. “This agreement creates a relationship between Florida and one of the leading entrepreneurial space firms, Bigelow Aerospace, and, if successful, will allow the State to become the future hub for commercial orbital transportation development projects, ultimately attracting a wide variety of small and large business entrants in various locations across Florida.”
Bigelow is committing up to $100 million in order to help “jump start” companies desiring to create a craft able to house humans.
Bigelow seems to be getting nervous about whether or not the private sector can deliver a crew ferrying rocket, as they have previously offered a $760 million contract towards whoever could create a spaceship by 2010.
While Florida’s space force has the skills (and speed) to actually pull this off, one wonders whether or not they will be able to beat SpaceX and Space Adventures, both who will probably contend for Bigelow’s space station business.
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Rocketplane Global Designs A Larger Spaceship
While there are many space firms are attempting to bring the universe to the masses (at least the moderately wealthy ones), very few of these companies have “the right stuff” to survive this increasingly crowded market.
With the competition heating up in the space tourism arena, Rocketplane Global has recently redesigned their spaceship in order to increase the number of passengers flying on board.
(MSNBC) The redesigned XP space plane could start flying in 2010, depending on the results of a final round of fundraising, said David Faulkner, program manager for the suborbital project. [...]
The main difference is that engineers dropped the idea of retrofitting a commercial Learjet with a rocket. Instead, they redid the design from scratch to make the fuselage 10 percent wider, Faulkner said. That provided enough extra room to add two more seats to the craft’s original four-seat configuration — boosting the potential revenue from each flight by more than 60 percent.
“The market’s really matured, and we took a hard look at the business plan,” Faulkner said. “It made more sense to go with five passengers, and the Lear just wouldn’t support that.”
Rocketplane Global (which is a separate entity from its dying sister, Rocketplane Kistler) is aiming to secure its share of the upcoming space tourism market. But with a quarter of a million price tag, they may have a harder time securing clients.
Funding pending, the company may be able to give Virgin Galactic a run for its money, having already secured a spaceport in Oklahoma.
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UFO's Inspired The Founder Of Bigelow Aerospace?
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space)
Some people desire to visit the stars because of a few resources. Others are motivated simply by their existence. But Robert T. Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, wants to taste the cosmos in order to establish “first contact.”
(Wired Magazine) His signature quirk, however, is an obsession with space that extends beyond his business interests. In addition to the $100million Bigelow has already put into BA (and the $400million more he has promised), he has doled out millions to fund research into alien abductions and UFO sightings. He’s done some of the work himself, personally interviewing hundreds of people who claim to have had extraterrestrial encounters. In fact, one of the main reasons he’s so eager to get his stations launched is that he thinks they might provide a step toward making contact. [...]
(page 3) Years before he started building space habitats, Bigelow began looking for the truths he was sure were out there. He says he has met with more than 230 people who claim to have witnessed ETs. In the 1990s, he gave millions of dollars to launch the National Institute for Discovery Science, whose staff — which included several PhDs and ex-FBI agents — researched alien abductions, out-of-body experiences, cattle mutilations, and other paranormal phenomena.
While Bigelow’s inspiration may cause others to laugh, it does however make one of the most successful space pioneers in the 21st Century a bit more interesting. This probably also explains the alien face which appears on some of their corporate logos.
Whether or not Bigelow’s space stations help us to establish first contact will be something future historians will have to decide. Either way, Robert Bigelow is already making history with the launch of his Genesis space stations, and his next one may enable our species to finally dwell among the heavens that surround us.
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SpaceX Clears Another NASA Hurdle Towards ISS
After passing NASA’s last test with flying colors, it looks as if the NewSpace giant has cleared another hurdle in its attempt to become the main supplier to the International Space Station.
(Space Fellowship) SpaceX has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its first Falcon 9 / Dragon mission as part of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration program. [...]
During the event, all comments and questions raised by NASA’s experts were satisfactorily addressed by the SpaceX design team, which resulted in official NASA approval. With this, SpaceX continues its track record of meeting all COTS milestones on schedule.
“In terms of overall design maturity of the Falcon 9 project, we are well ahead of the curve for a program of this size,” said Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. “Few CDRs feature multiple hardware items in fabrication, assembly, integration and test phases.”
Currently SpaceX is the main player when it comes to securing the COTS (or Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) from NASA.
If SpaceX is able to clear the remaining hurdles, they could potentially open up the doorway for the private sector to colonize the Moon, which would free up NASA to send men towards Mars.
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NASA Looking For A Few Good Space Suits
Fifty years into the future our space born descendants may ponder why their forefathers explored the lunar surface in bulky white suits. With NASA calling out to the private sector for a “space tailor,” future suits worn by astronauts may not resemble the outfits worn by the first men on the Moon.
(Moon Today) NASA has issued a request for proposals from industry for the design, development and production of a new spacesuit system for Constellation Program voyages to the International Space Station and the moon. [...]
Prospective contractors are being asked to develop a system that minimizes mass, volume and carry weight; donning time; maintenance requirements; suit logistics; operational overhead; life cycle costs; and operational constraints on the lunar surface in varying geographical, solar and thermal conditions. The same spacesuit system also must maximize pressurized and unpressurized crew comfort, range of motion, reliability and work efficiency throughout multiple suit uses. Designers are being asked to incorporate flexibility and modularity to allow for efficient incorporation of future upgrades.
NASA’s best option may lie in choosing skin tight space suits as they would enable an astronaut to actually run upon the lunar world instead of skipping like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
Note: This would be a perfect time for Louise to show off her space suit, although hopefully she includes a video post on her web journal.
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Video: Can Google Really Take Us To The Moon?
(Hat Tip: Official Google Blog)
Google has recently teamed up with the X-Prize Foundation in order to launch the Google Lunar X-Prize challenge.
In order to help motivate the private sector, Google is offering a $20 million purse to anyone who soft lands a rover on the Moon, with five million dollars to any team coming in second place.
The X-Prize foundation has also provided a video to help inspire future engineers to join in the second great race towards the moon.
What makes this competition really worthwhile is the fact that the Google X-Prize Lunar challenge will be awarding an extra $5 million to the team that is able to find either ice water, a previous lunar landing or survive a “lunar night” (which is approximately 14.5 Earth days long).
Whether or not teams will actually be able to accomplish a soft landing for under $20 million is subject to debate (as launching rockets can be quite expensive).
However, if a team is able to actually land a rover upon the Moon’s surface and locate valuable resources, they may be able to not only secure future profits, but their place in history as well.
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New Mexico's Spaceport Will Be Environmentally Friendly
While finding new ways to reach the heavens (and beyond) is important for the human race, taking care of our homeworld is a much higher priority. When it comes to space, the same principles apply, as it would be foolish for humanity to reach the stars by trashing our birth planet.
While spaceports seem to be sprouting all across the globe, it looks as if one is taking our planet to heart, by designing their spaceport to be environmentally friendly.
(MSNBC) The design chosen is a low-lying, striking bit of construction that uses natural earth as a berm, and relies on passive energy for heating and cooling, with photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling capabilities. A rolling concrete shell acts as a roof with massive windows opening to a view of the runway and spacecraft. [...]
The founder of Foster + Partners, Lord Norman Foster, said in an earlier press comment that the world’s first space terminal would be a technically complex building. The facility not only will provide a dramatic experience for the astronauts and visitors, “but will set an ecologically sound model for future spaceport facilities,” he added.
Spaceport America, located 30 miles east of Truth and Consequences in New Mexico will hopefully set the standard for future spaceports not only in the US, but around the world as well.
Note: Wouldn’t it be great if spaceport designs led to more environmentally friendly buildings across our planet?
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Video: NASA Shows Affection For Dragons In Space
(Image: Engineering Model of Dragon in SpaceX’s El Segundo facilities. Credit: C. Thompson / SpaceX)
(Hat Tip: Spaceports)
It looks as if SpaceX, a company whose mission is to revolutionize the rocket industry has cleared its first hurdle in becoming NASA’s “transport taxi” to the International Space Station (or ISS).
(SpaceX Press Release) SpaceX has successfully completed the first of three phases of review required by NASA’s Safety Review Panel (SRP) to send its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). Over a series of meetings spanning four days at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the team of SpaceX engineers developing the Dragon spacecraft presented their Phase I plans for sending the cargo version of Dragon to the $100 billion dollar orbiting space laboratory. [...]
“To date, no other group has passed the Hazard of Collision report the first time through or completed the overall review in such a short time,” said Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. “The fact that we passed in under a week speaks well of our team’s capabilities.”
As part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) competition, SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering and docking abilities by 2009 – a year before NASA has scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations.
With NASA seeking to retire its space shuttle by 2010, the space agency will need a way to temporarily transport goods to the ISS.
With a few members of Congress uneasy about outsourcing that job to foreigners (such as Russia or China), SpaceX could enable America to not only end its shuttle program, but allow the US to save face internationally by using an American company.
(Video: Simulation of SpaceX’s Dragon approaching and docking with ISS. Credit: Odyssey Space Research)
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SpaceDev To Host The Internet On The Moon?
Although there are many companies out there attempting to return humanity towards the heavens that surround us, it seems as if one company called SpaceDev, Inc. is attempting to not only get us there, but also enable us to browse the world lunar wide web.
(Space Fellowship) SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) announced today that it has been awarded a contract to develop a prototype lunar lander vehicle for the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA). Since 2003, SpaceDev has performed four design and feasibility studies addressing various aspects of the ILO. The ILO will be a spacecraft to conduct optical and radio astronomy from the surface of the Moon, and potentially engage in commercial activities involving not only astronomy, but also photography, communications, and internet hosting. The prototype will achieve smooth landings via precision-controlled throttling of its hybrid rocket motors.
(Note: Emphasis is of the editor)
While some may wonder why a company would attempt to enable internet browsing upon the lunar surface, one only has to look at how the world wide web has changed out planet in order to understand.
The internet has fostered a communication system unparalleled within our human history. By expanding that power off world scientists, engineers, and even future lunar businesses would be able to quickly acquire the necessary information in order to run their laboratories, warehouse’s and offices.
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Video: Can SpaceX Build A Reliable Rocket Ship?
(Image: The first flight-ready Merlin engine on display at the DARPATech event in Anaheim CA, August 2007, before shipment to Texas for qualification testing. Credit: SpaceX)
While many rocket companies within the NewSpace arena focus on thrust for power or cheaper prices, it looks as if SpaceX, led by Elon Musk is seeking to build a world class, reliable rocket ship.
(SpaceX Press Release) More than anything else, the Falcon 9 design is absolutely focused on reliability. This is one of the few launch vehicles in the world designed to the higher safety and reliability standards required for manned spaceflight. Before carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, the Falcon 9 will undergo an intense NASA safety review and will be required to have far higher structural safety margins and ability to tolerate sub-system failure than are needed simply to launch satellites.
A significant advantage of the Falcon 9 is the ability to lose any engine on the first stage and still safely complete the mission, much as a Boeing 747 can lose an engine and still be ok. Like jet engines, each of our Falcon 9 Merlin engines is wrapped in a Nomex and Kevlar flak jacket, so that even a worst case fire or explosion is contained and cannot affect other engines or the stage itself. In the event of an engine failure, it just means that the first stage will fire for a little longer than would otherwise be the case.
Only time will tell whether or not SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will raise the standard within the industry. If the Falcon 9 is successful, SpaceX will probably find itself in the unique position of having too many customers desiring to launch their cargo aboard their rockets.
(Video: Merlin 1C engine firing on the vertical test stand. The blast extends dozens of feet and is ducted out to the side in a long trench. Credit: SpaceX)
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Establish First Contact (& Subscribe)
Love of Lunar
Martian Delights
Interplanetary Essays
