Mars ahoy: Elon Musk’s improved rocket design could propel humanity to the red planet - Hindustan Times
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Mars ahoy: Elon Musk’s improved rocket design could propel humanity to the red planet

Press Trust of India, Washington | ByPress Trust of India, Washington
Apr 01, 2018 11:27 PM IST

The updated design for SpaceX’s Big Falcon Rocket is capable of holding the cryogenic liquid oxygen needed to fuel the rocket.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has updated the design for a powerful rocket intended to propel a space vehicle that may help establish human presence on Mars.

A ‘self-portrait’ of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle on Vera Rubin Ridge on the planet Mars, which the rover has been investigating for the past several months.(REUTERS)
A ‘self-portrait’ of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle on Vera Rubin Ridge on the planet Mars, which the rover has been investigating for the past several months.(REUTERS)

The updated design for the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) was described in an article published in the journal New Space.

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Musk not only provides details on the BFR’s updated design but, importantly, presents a plan for how to pay for it.

He described the development of a huge carbon fibre tank that is capable of holding the cryogenic liquid oxygen needed to fuel the rocket, and the key to the SpaceX business case, how on orbit refuelling will take place.

The article also reports on progress toward perfecting propulsive landing and achieving rendezvous and docking.

He also detailed the changes to the vehicle as its design has evolved, and the dramatic differences in payload capabilities between previous and current versions of the vehicle and BFR designs.

Using a partially-reused rocket, SpaceX successfully launched and deployed the latest group of satellites to upgrade communication networks for Virginia-based company Iridium on Saturday. (Photo: SpaceX)
Using a partially-reused rocket, SpaceX successfully launched and deployed the latest group of satellites to upgrade communication networks for Virginia-based company Iridium on Saturday. (Photo: SpaceX)

Musk summarised his vision and goals for a future manned Mission to Mars.

“Elon’s description of the Big Falcon Rocket, along with the stunning recent success of the Falcon 9 Heavy indicates just how far SpaceX has come in establishing the elements needed to dramatically lower the cost for deep space exploration,” said Scott Hubbard from Stanford University in the US.

“I look forward to seeing SpaceX contribute to human exploration as well as near-term science goals like the Mars Sample Return,” said Hubbard, who is the editor-in-chief of New Space.

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