The Future is Now: How SpaceX's Starship will Revolutionize Space Travel

Monday - February 12 2024, 16:48 UTC - 9 months ago

SpaceX's Starship rocket is set to become the largest and most powerful ever built, with the ability to lift unprecedented amounts of material into orbit. Despite some setbacks, the company has already secured customers for Starship launches, including a joint venture building a private space station called Starlab. Starlab will be launched fully assembled in one mission, showcasing the future of commercial space and revolutionizing the manufacturing process for space stations. This is just one of several projects in the works as NASA looks for a replacement for the International Space Station.

SpaceX has been pushing the boundaries of space travel with its innovative rocket technology and the upcoming Starship is no exception. Standing at a whopping 400 feet tall and with the capability to lift 150 tons to low-Earth orbit, Starship is set to become the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. Despite some setbacks during its first test launches, SpaceX has already secured customers for future Starship missions .

One of these customers is a joint venture between Airbus and Voyager Space, who are looking to launch their private space station Starlab in a single go using the impressive capabilities of the Starship rocket.The idea of launching the entire space station in one mission may seem like a lofty goal, but with Starship's capabilities, it is now a possibility. The 26-foot-diameter space station will have two modules: a service module that provides energy and propulsion, and a module with quarters for a crew of four and a laboratory .

While this may seem small in comparison to the 16-module International Space Station, Starlab's larger diameter means it will still provide half the total volume of its predecessor.But it's not just about size and capabilities - Starlab is also leading the way in revolutionizing the manufacturing process for space stations. Typically, space stations are launched in parts and assembled in space, which can be time-consuming and costly .

However, Starlab will be fully assembled on the ground, meaning it will be habitable almost immediately after launch. This greatly simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces execution risk, as explained by Voyager CEO Dylan Taylor.Starlab's purpose is to serve as an orbital base for space agencies, private customers, and other researchers. This underscores the commercialization of space that is happening now, with even hotel giant Hilton helping design the crew quarters, hinting at the potential for space tourism .

The launch of Starlab is also yet another step towards finding a replacement for the aging International Space Station, which is set to be retired in 2030.But it's not the only project in the works - NASA has already awarded funding to other companies such as Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin for their own orbital facilities. Axiom Space also has plans to build a commercial module that will be attached to the ISS in 2026 and eventually become an independent space station .

With the space industry continually evolving and private companies taking the lead, the future of commercial space is happening now.