SpaceX Aims for Starship Refueling in Space by 2024, Paving the Way for Mars Missions
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has set ambitious goals for the company's Starship program, aiming to solve the challenge of in-space refueling by the end of 2024. This crucial technology is seen as essential for enabling human life on Mars.
Musk emphasizes the importance of both full and rapid reusability of the Starship's booster and ship, along with orbital refilling capabilities. He believes these advancements are key to reducing the cost of establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars and transporting humans there.
Orbital refilling involves sending tanker versions of Starship from Earth to refuel the spacecraft in space. While acknowledging the complexity of this process, Musk views it as a more feasible alternative to docking with the International Space Station.
The Starship, composed of a super heavy booster and a spacecraft, is currently undergoing rigorous testing. Musk anticipates a booster catch attempt later this year, potentially followed by a landing on a physical launch tower in a subsequent flight. He estimates an 80-90% chance of successfully catching the booster with mechanical arms.
As for the Starship spacecraft, SpaceX plans to refrain from returning it to the launch site until achieving a successful double landing at a specific point in the ocean.
The Starship's significance lies in its immense power and potential for deep space exploration. Its 121-meter tall frame and 5,000-tonne weight make it the world's most powerful launch vehicle.
Following a series of test flights in 2022 and 2023, the next Starship flight is scheduled for May. This mission aims to achieve a successful re-entry into Earth's atmosphere with all systems functioning despite the extreme heat.
NASA is heavily invested in the success of Starship, relying on it to land humans back on the Moon by 2026 as part of the Artemis III mission. This would mark the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.