You might have heard of Space X, and if not brace yourself. Based in California, Space X is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportazion services company. Elon Musk founded it in 2002 with the goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars.
Here in this article we present the top 5 “you didn’t know facts” about this ambitious company.
The starlink mission
People think the internet it’s a given, that everybody can access it easily, but not quite. Although in first-world countries we can access the internet relatively easily, no one said there is no space for improvement.
That is why Space X is working on starlink, a project with the aim of setting up a satellite global wifi network. The idea is to have smart satellites which can act without human interference.
Just to give you and idea, on June 13th 2020 a rocket was launched in space with 58 starlink satellites which took positions around earth. This net will be improved with another 1500 or something satellites which will eventually make the fastest internet connection system ever created.
Dragon spacecraft
As majestic as it sounds, the Dragon spacecraft deserves its spotlight. Acting very similarly to NASA’s space shuttles, the main goal of these space capsules is to send both cargo and humans to space. Little difference though, it is reusable. Until now, Dragon spacecraft has endured 23 launches, but the last one is worth of memory. It was the first time in history a private company sent astronauts in orbit. Are we living in the era where space exploration is being commercialized?
NASA vs Space X?
A widespread misconception revolves around the relationship between these two big space companies. Despite many believe these two companies to be rivals, actually they are “co-workers”.
In fact, NASA was one of the first big investors of Space X. In 2006, NASA funded Space X with almost 400 million dollars to help them build the Dragon spacecraft. Well invested money since they noticed the incredible skills and resources of the company. This was so true that they later gave Space X a further 1.6 billion dollars in exchange for 20 cargo delivery missions to the ISS. After completing these 20 missions with anticipation, NASA decided to extend their contracts with Space X.
Mars is near
We all know that Elon Musk’s most ambitious goal is to reach Mars, and with Space X it might happen soon.
This goal was first announced in 2016, with the aim of bringing humans on Mars within a decade.
The craziest thing is, they are planning to set up a one million inhabitans self-sustainable city on Mars. Let there be no mistake, it is an extremely difficul task, especially considering its costs. To take one million people there, Musk would have to perform 100.000 launches. Let’s just hope Mr Musk’s ability to find visionary investors is as good as its ability to make space rockets.
Commercial space flights
Who said you need to be an austronaut to go to space? Space X is planning to make space travel available to everybody, or nearly everybody. Available does not mean affordable. Indeed, the average cost of a 3 to 5 days vacation beyond the ISS is estimated to be around 50 million dollars.
Sorry Mr. Musk, but unless you make huge discounts or coupon days, I am afraid you won’t be having a lot of takers.
That was our insane top 5 things you didn’t know about Space X I bet you didn’t hear so much of.
I hope you found our article interesting, to our next time!