Digital Media Concepts/Space X

Introduction

The Cold War led to a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. One of the areas in which this competition unfolded was space travel. July 1969 in a televised event Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon. NASA would continue to pursue further exploration. High cost and major safety problems lead to the closure of the Space shuttle program. SpaceX mission statement is to create reusable space vehicles that are capable of carrying human beings to Mars and other destinations in the Solar System.

1.1 Early Development/Failures

2006 was the year that the newly established SpaceX company set out to test one of its first rockets. The rocket exploded 33 seconds after take off . 2007 SpaceX attempted another flight that failed when the engines shut down prematurely failing short of the goal of reaching the Earth’s orbit. 2008 SpaceX attempted its third flight with a payload for NASA . The rocket failed during the rocket separation stage sending the rocket into an uncontrollable spin and eventually the Sea . This failed attempt and almost cause SpaceX to failed but it was saved by its first outside investor Peter Thiel . 2015 rocket implodes shortly after launch losing yet another payload for NASA destined for the International Space Station . 2016 SpaceX rocket explodes during the fueling stage .

1.2 The start of SpaceX/Evolution

SpaceX started out as a belief of human survival relying on a multi-planetary existence. Dissatisfied with the cost of space exploration Elon Musk founded his own company with affordability in mind. The first rocket launched in 2006 called the Falcon 1. A larger craft named Falcon 9 first launched in 2010. The Falcon Heavy is a rocket designed to carry 117,000 pounds to orbit (first launched in 2018). A new space craft was a announced named the Super Heavy-Starship system. Early estimates from SpaceX are 220,000 pounds to low Earth orbit. Another spacecraft developed named “Dragon spacecraft” is able to carry as many as seven astronaut. It has been used to carry supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon Spacecraft has successfully crewed a flight with astronauts Dough Hurley and Robert Behnken to the International Space Station in 2020

1.3 SpaceX Technology/Engineering in Space crafts

Falcon 1- first introduced in 2006. A two stage, liquid fueled craft designed to send small satellites into orbit

Falcon 9 - first introduced in 2010. Bigger version of the Falcon 1. Named after the amount of engines propelling the rocket [3].

Dragon Spacecraft - The dragon spacecraft is a bell shaped pressurized cabin with a cylindrical rear that carries thrusters used to move in space. The dragon spacecraft is attached to the end of a Falcon 9 and separates after reaching the Earth’s orbit. There are two variants of the Dragon Spacecraft. One used to carry up to seven crew members. A second one to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. The Dragon Spacecraft is equipped with two drought parachutes to stabilize the spacecraft after reentry and four additional parachutes to slow down the aircraft before landing

Falcon rockets

Dragon Spacecraft

1.4 SpaceX future Ventures

SpaceX is adding in the establishment of Starlink. This is done by the use of rockets to send the Starlink satellites into space.