Friday, October 26, 2012

SpaceX



SpaceX is a privately owned company that designs, builds and launches rockets and spacecrafts.  It was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk (co-founder of PayPal) to change space transportation and eventually make it possible for humans to live on other planets.  The company has introduced its Falcon rockets and Dragon spacecraft.  In 2010, SpaceX made history by sending its Dragon spacecraft into low-earth orbit and becoming the first commercial company to do so.  In May 2012, SpaceX became the first commercial operator to attach its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).  By the end of this year, SpaceX will take over responsibilities of carrying cargo to the ISS, and eventually transport astronauts into space.  In total, the company has over $4 billion in contracts and more than 40 launches slated.  Long term, SpaceX is working to build reusable vehicles as it revolutionizes space exploration.  The company has grown to over 1,800 employees and is headquartered in Hawthorne, California. 

Its significance to the aviation industry is unmatched.  SpaceX has led and changed the way we will explore space, now and into the future.  Because of its success and future intentions, the United States will no longer have to rely on Soyuz rockets from Russia.  To send Americans into space, it currently costs $51 million per astronaut, rising to $55.9 million in 2013, and $62.7 million in 2014.  In addition to the cost, astronauts have to spend at least two years in Russia, learning the language and engineering.

As SpaceX continues to grow, we will see other private sectors joining in on the space race.  The United States has already built a spaceport to host private enterprise.  Spaceport America is located in New Mexico, and will accommodate vertical and horizontal space launch vehicles.    

Within 5 years, SpaceX plans to launch Falcon Heavy, the most powerful rocket in the world.  Falcon Heavy will be able to carry payloads weighing over 53 metric tons, more than twice the current performance. 

Will SpaceX impact my career?  I have always dreamed of going to space, and I think with the privatization of space exploration, that dream may be closer to a reality.  We have already seen Virgin Galactic hire pilots and astronauts for its operations out of New Mexico.  SpaceX may soon follow suit.  There may be a need for test pilots, zero-g training and transportation.  The possibilities are limitless.  Only time will tell, but I believe that space travel will become a more common experience for years to come. 

4 comments:

  1. Hi Jason, this is a fascinating topic you've selected. I notice SpaceX in the news once in a while, yet I didn't know most of this stuff before now. Do you think there will be less distinction between SpaceX astronauts and NASA astronauts on future missions? SpaceX will provide the bus drivers and NASA will provide the lodgers?

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  2. I hope to one day be employed by this company. They have developed numerous resources, procedures, and plans for the expansion of private space flight. As for costs, do you think that they will be able to consistently front the bill for private space flight expansion or will they start incorporating globally for development?

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  3. I've very excited about the privatization of space flight and research. Though, one of my concerns is that this venture will be solely for profit and will negate some of the benefits that space travel and exploration can provide for humankind.

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  4. Like our other classmates, I am excited about the privatization of space flight. I feel that private companies are more competitive than the government and will make faster advancements. Private companies led the way in the advancement of aviation, with some help from government funding, and I feel this is also a good direction for space exploration.

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