Introduction
Spacex is a multi billion dollar company based in California. Founded in 2002, Spacex is an entirely private sector corporation that launches cargo into orbit, as well as performs research and innovation in rocket science and space exploration. As of now, the company has in operation 2 rockets for launching spacecraft, and 1 spacecraft, called The Dragon to carry cargo into orbit and to space stations. The company uses these vehicles to provide space station resupply services to NASA, as well as provide transport services for any customer wiling to pay the cost (over $60 million). These vehicles were designed and produced entirely by Spacex, and they continue to innovate with a very bold long term goal: facilitating the transport of humans to populate Mars. Of course, there is a lot to be done before this goal can be reached. As of now, Spacex is working toward their goal by developing revolutionary technologies in spacecraft launch and operation.
The Dragon
As Spacex’s only operational spacecraft, the Dragon is the first privately owned spacecraft to visit a space station in 2012. As of now, its missions are unmanned, and it carries cargo. The Dragon’s original intent for design however was for the transport of cargo, and astronauts. It is equipped with a pressurized cabin with seating and controls. As of now, Spacex is improving on the Dragon to make it a safe transportation vehicle for astronauts. The upgraded Crew Dragon would be a spacecraft that breaks the barriers of what was thought could be available in the private market. With an astronaut operated “space taxi”, the possibilities for the future are wide open. A private enterprise has the ability to sell a ticket to space. This is the first step into a whole new type space exploration.
Falcon 9
The Falcon 9 is the standard rocket used by Spacex to launch their spacecraft into orbit. But their standard rocket is no ordinary rocket. This rocket is designed to be very sturdy and smart; sturdy enough to survive a reentry into earths atmosphere, and smart enough to perform a landing back on the surface. Ordinary rockets are designed to burn up upon reentry due to the high temperatures reached during its descent. This means for every launch, a new rocket must be built, costing tens of millions of dollars. However, the goal set for the Falcon 9 rocket is to build it well enough to remain intact and fully operational for multiple launches into space and returns back to earth. This goal is close too– with their first stage landing test failing only because the rocket failed to land perfectly upright. Once the goal is reached, founder Elon Musk projects that reusable rockets will allow Spacex to facilitate launches at a dramatically reduced cost, and therefore at a much more affordable price for their consumers. Technology that renders space launch affordable for the consumer would be a large step towards space tourism and multiplanetary population.
Falcon Heavy
This rocket pushes the boundary of power in rockets. Essentially, the falcon heavy is three Falcon 9 rockets in one. This incredible lifting power, according to Spacex, allows the rocket send into orbit a payload of mass that is, “…equivalent to a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel…” A second feat of operation is the landing function of the rocket’s first stage launch vessels. The falcon heavy is designed to take after the Falcon 9, where if the main part of the vehicle can safely reenter and land, then transport costs will be cut dramatically. This rockets launch power has yet to be demonstrated, but the launch date is now approaching fast in the spring. If this demonstration is a success, it will prove itself to be the second most powerful rocket to ever launch; only stopping short of the 1973 launch of the Saturn V moon rocket. If it passes it’s test, its first job will be to lift a payload of 37 satellites into orbit. Spacex also hopes that its jobs in the long term will be to launch larger manned spacecrafts into orbit and deeper into space.
Applications
During class, we talked about forms of energy, and how it is defined by the ability to do work. When we discuss rocket science, we are referring to the same idea of doing work. It is compared to something as simple as lifting a bar bell above your head– just on a much larger scale. For comparison, we will observe the Falcon Heavy rocket. This vehicle uses energy to do work against gravity, just like we do when we lift a weight vertically. But the Falcon Heavy does an exponential amount of work which can be imagined by analyzing formula for work against gravity, W=mgh. The mass in this case, is the payload (a 737 jetliner) in addition to the mass of the rocket itself. Its weight is calculated by multiplying the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s/s), and then this massive figure is multiplied with the height of earths atmosphere. By doing this much work, the rocket transfers a large amount of kinetic energy into potential energy.
When the rocket has disconnected from the craft, it has reached its maximum altitude, and has completely transferred its energy into potential energy. Then the unit falls back to earth at a rate of 9.8 m/s/s, which when falling from space allows it to reach incredible speeds. As the unit keeps gaining kinetic energy, the friction against the unit and the air itself causes heating, so much so that the high temperature from friction often makes the rocket burn and disintegrate before its potential energy can ever be fully transferred back to kinetic. The amount of energy used, and work done is amazing, and that is why retrieving a rocket intact from space is an incredible feature.
Works Cited
“Company.” SpaceX. SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.
“SpaceX’s Huge Falcon Heavy Rocket Finally Has A Launch Date.” Tech Times RSS. N.p., 12 Sept. 2015. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.\
Howell, Elizabeth. “SpaceX: First Private Flights to Space Station.”Space.com. N.p., 9 Feb. 2016. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.