We all keep asking ourselves when man will walk on the moon again. Well, the NASA vs SpaceX race looks like that might be sooner than we think.
Elon Musk and NASA are working on a master plan to get humans to not only return to the moon, but to set up a permanent base on the lunar surface. The idea is to use this as a launch-pad for deep space missions to Mars and beyond. Both currently have massive rockets being readied for launch and together, they are THE most powerful machines that humanity will ever blast into space.
On The Precipice Of Another Giant Leap
NASA’s Space Launch Systems (SLS) is experiencing delays, but when they eventually light that candle, it will be sent on a slingshot trip around the moon, to test its systems ahead of a crewed mission that is the start of NASA’s Artemis program. Artemis aims to eventually result in a colony on Mars, but first it must prove it’s extraordinary plans by setting down on the moon. It will do this with the help of Musk’s SpaceX, which will provide a lander for the four lunar astronauts in 2025. The plan is for the two space ships to meet in lunar orbit, where the astronauts will transfer from one to the other, before descending to the moon.
While Space-X and NASA are working closely together, their two rocket ships couldn’t be more different. NASA’s is relying on old 1970s technology last used on the Apollo missions and it’s Saturn-5 rocket, while Space-X has pretty much reinvented everything for a rocket that is unlike anything we have ever seen before. For example, NASA still uses massive, multi-million dollar booster rockets that are discarded after launch, something Space-X doesn’t have to contend with, reducing the price of their launches substantially.
Read More: Catapulting Humanity Into Space Could Reduce Costs
Rapid reusability, orbital refueling, innovative propulsion systems and sheer payload volume are some of the main reasons why space geeks have been raving about Musk’s plans with Space-X. If successful, it will completely revolutionise space travel and humanity’s reach into the final frontier.
For the main differences between SLS and StarShip, have a look at this very informative video:
