If you’ve been on the internet lately, then SpaceX has probably popped up on your feed in one way or the other, more specifically about the recent capture of a reusable rocket booster. This, while seeming rather trivial actually marks a significant milestone for the space company, further advancing their ambitions of revolutionizing space travel through the starship system”. Well, for those of us who don’t major in rocket science, this piece is definitely ours… Let us learn about Elon Musk’s vision for the future of rocket launching, in lieu of his broader fascination with space.
Initially, the big plan was to send a greenhouse to Mars to inspire the public and government to push for more space exploration. Sounds simple enough, right? But after multiple attempts to buy rockets from Russia (yes, that’s a real thing he tried), Musk quickly realized there was a massive cost barrier. Buying rockets was outrageously expensive, and the technology wasn’t exactly modern. So, what did he do? The only logical thing, of course—he built his own rockets…which is how we come to SpaceX, founded in 2002 with the lofty goal of making space travel affordable.
If there’s one thing that has set SpaceX apart from traditional space companies, it’s Musk’s obsession with reusability. Before SpaceX, the idea of landing rockets to use them again sounded as likely as winning the lottery while being struck by lightning. So, when SpaceX recently achieved the significant milestone in rocket reusability with its Starship system it was a monumental moment not just for SpaceX but for Musk’s dream as well.
During the fifth test flight on October 13, 2024, the company successfully “caught” their massive Super Heavy booster using mechanical arms the company comically named “chopsticks,” mounted on a launch tower at their Starbase facility in Texas.
Starship on its fifth flight test. Views powered by @Starlink pic.twitter.com/5SAs8Bp8Rz
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 15, 2024
After propelling a rocket into the upper atmosphere, the booster was carefully guided back to earth where it was caught mid-descent by the chopsticks, a technique that eliminates the need for traditional landings and brings SpaceX closer to its goal of turning around rockets for frequent missions.
This feat is crucial not only because it demonstrates the potential of reusable systems but also because it slashes the costs and time between launches. In the past, rocket boosters were discarded after a single use, making space travel costly and time-consuming. With this success, the door to regular, affordable space missions is starting to open wider. Imagine if every time you travelled you had to throw away the car and purchase a new one for the next travel…talk about expense.
The tower has caught the rocket!!
pic.twitter.com/CPXsHJBdUh— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 13, 2024
Well, indeed the high costs have always been the greatest barrier in space exploration, with much of it coming from the one-time-use nature of rockets. This ability to recover and reuse rockets will significantly lower the cost per launch, making space more accessible, not only for government missions but for commercial and scientific purposes as well. Thus, Starship is built with reusability in mind, designed to perform multiple missions without the need for extensive refurbishments.
Beyond space exploration, the benefits of reusable rockets could extend to other industries. From launching satellites more affordably to enabling space tourism, the economic and technological potential is vast. More frequent launches translate into increased innovation opportunities in communication, Earth observation, and other sectors that rely on access to space.
So, what’s next for SpaceX and Starship?
The recent success marks just one step in the larger development process of Starship. SpaceX is now focused on improving the upper stage of the rocket, which will allow for complete reusability across all stages. As testing continues, the company hopes to make launching rockets as routine as air travel, turning science fiction into a practical reality.
Hopefully, this leap forward in reusability puts us closer to a future where space missions are no longer limited to a select few with enormous budgets, but an everyday occurrence, driving progress and discovery at an unprecedented rate.
