By Mo Islam 22’

For the last two weeks, there’s been increased hype and buzz all pointed towards SpaceX and Elon Musk’s latest project, The Starship. With the majority of the prototype designs, system specifications, and now the official timeline updates available to the public, it is an appropriate time to analyze if this project really can succeed long term and accomplish the set goals of SpaceX.

In terms of design and functionality, this spaceship has many comparable systems to numerous of SpaceX’s previously tested sub-projects, but on a much larger scale. The earliest rocket, Falcon 1, was just 68 feet high, 5.5 feet in diameter, and could carry a payload of about 400 pounds. Starship, on the other hand, is 164 feet high, 30 feet in diameter. Back in the 1900’s, the Apollo rockets were able to bring mankind to the moon and back with its early experimental design and thrusters. In the 21st century, mankind is now targeting Mars. Unlike previous thrusters and rocket designs, this one ship combines the SpaceX reusable thruster system along with improved life support systems designed for average civilians to use for future space travel. The company has focused this project on successfully being able to reach orbit, the moon, and soon Mars, all with the intention of returning safely.

In order to meet these set goals, Musk has expedited results and testing as demonstrated in his recently released timeline. His basic timeline shows a smaller starship prototype, to take a controlled flight of about 65 feet in one to two months. SpaceX should then finish building another Starship prototype called the Mark 2 and begin designing, testing, and improving newer prototypes (Mark 3 and Mark 4), which should take four months to five months to build. If all goes as planned, either the Mark 4 or Mark 5 prototype will launch to orbit in less than 6 months. Ultimately, Musk intends for the system to transport people back and forth between Earth and Space and eventually reach the moon by 2022. If the tests go well, SpaceX hopes to have successfully completed a full Mars trip by 2030-2035.

Such a project has naturally generated much conversation within the scientific community. Even though progress has been made on both the design and timeline of events and results, people are still skeptical of the applicability and success of the Starship. Musk has revealed that they must still determine a structured way to keep human passengers alive with oxygen, food, and water. Dorit Donoviel, Director of Translational Research Institute for Space Health, commented earlier this week that “It’s extremely naive to think that we can send people to Mars within the next decade”. Most safety organizations are against Musk’s expedited plan, despite his design and test assurances. 

Overall, the project is ongoing and has made progress in both the technical and development phases. Looking forward, SpaceX has begun formulating the life support design for their future prototypes launch. Though many scholars question the applicability and potential of this project, it will be very interesting to see if Elon Musk’s dream spaceship lives up to the hype. Space travel has always been a controversial topic in the world. Some are amazed by the possibilities, while others fear the unknown. No matter what the public thinks now, I believe that through  ideal testing, improved results and connectable data, this project can be guided in the right direction and humanity may have a new home soon in the future. This project can indeed live up to the hype.