3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Liftoff!
Do you imagine hearing those words in person at some point? Just envision—once moment, you’re standing on the surface of the Earth with your two feet. The next, you’re propelling off for a space journey!
Where in space would you like to go? Perhaps you’ll head to the Moon, another planet, or even a different galaxy. Maybe you’ll reside in an O’Neill colony. Regardless of your destination, there’s a high probability that you’ll reach there using a technology that many view as the future of space travel: the reusable rocket.
If you’ve read about NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, this might sound familiar. Space Shuttles were the first reusable spacecraft in the world. That program concluded in 2011. Today, private companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX aspire to construct the future of reusable rockets.
How could reusability impact space travel? Consider it like this: What if airplanes could only fly once? Just imagine all the time and resources individuals would spend constructing a completely new plane for each flight. That’s how most space travel has functioned for a significant part of history—a new rocket is manufactured for each mission. As you would anticipate, reusability could enhance space travel in numerous ways.
One advantage is affordability. Rocket launches cost millions—sometimes billions—of dollars. In the Space Shuttle Program, the shuttles themselves were reusable, but the rockets were not. This made the program very costly. When rockets can be used more than once, the price decreases. Some estimates suggest that reusability could reduce the cost of space travel by 100 times.
This would make space travel accessible to more individuals. It could enable more scientists to learn and test new ideas, expanding human knowledge. Just imagine conducting your next chemistry experiment in the vacuum of space or on the surface of the Moon!
Naturally, reusable space travel could also enable private citizens to venture into space. Ready to reserve your seat on the next trip to the Moon? Keep in mind that the cost of tickets on these early flights may still be quite high—but over time, they will become more affordable.
Lowering the price wouldn’t mean compromising safety, though. Reusable rockets are inspected between missions, similar to how airplanes are between flights. Crews make any necessary repairs to ensure the success of future missions.
Many people also hope that reusable rockets will reduce the carbon footprint of space travel. They’ll still require thousands of gallons of fuel (though much less than the 950,000 gallons that took Apollo 11 to the moon and back). However, the reusability of the rockets will decrease the amount of natural resources consumed for space travel.
There are already a few reusable rockets in use. Blue Origin’s New Shepard, named after astronaut Alan Shepard, is fully reusable. It is powered by hydrogen and oxygen, making it carbon neutral. Blue Origin has also constructed New Glenn, named after astronaut John Glenn. This rocket is designed to withstand 25 missions. These, along with SpaceX’s Falcon 9, are designed to transport people and payloads into space.
Would you like to travel to space one day? Reusable spacecraft may make it possible. Where will you go first? There’s at least one universe out there to explore!
Give it a Try
Are you ready to continue learning? Test your knowledge and skills by engaging in one or more of the activities mentioned below, and don’t forget to invite a friend or family member to join in.
- Although traveling to space might not be possible for you at the moment, Club for the Future offers a unique opportunity to send a postcard to space! What do you envision the future of life in space to be like? Express your ideas by writing or drawing them on a postcard, and send it off to space. It will be returned to you after its journey on a Blue Origin rocket.
- Imagine what it would be like to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard. Which part of the journey do you think would be the most thrilling? What are you most eager to witness? Share your thoughts and discuss what you’ve learned with a friend or family member.
- Let your imagination run wild: You are a passenger on a reusable spacecraft. As the rocket propels you into space, where do you imagine yourself heading? What will you do once you arrive at your destination? And what exciting adventures will you and your fellow crew members experience along the way? Create a short story or a comic strip showcasing your space adventure. Be as imaginative as possible and share your creation with a friend or family member once it’s complete.
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn/ (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/ (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9/ (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.discovery.com/technology/Reusable-Rockets (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.dnv.com/to2030/technology/reusable-rockets-revolutionizing-access-to-outer-space.html (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.space.com/22470-reusable-rocket-launches-incredible-technology.html (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-much-fuel-does-it-take-to-get-to-the-moon_b_598a35b5e4b030f0e267c83d (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
- https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 06 Apr. 2021)
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