What, no parachute? Space X aims to become the first 'reusable rocket' - but it could be a white-knuckle ride
SpaceXis working on the worlds first reusable rocket - relying on launch stages that 'ease' themselves back to Earth with boosters, rather than falling away and burning up.
Even the manned module on top will have no chute - relying on a 'controlled' descent using boosters. After a partnership with NASA, this vehicle could well be the future of manned space flight. Space X's concept video is below.
Space X founder ElonMusk said his company was working on a new version of its Falcon 9 rocket (pictured) which could cut by 100-fold the cost of trips into space - and could even lead to a vehicle capable of making the return trip to Mars.
Falcon 9 has already made an orbital test flight - but the new version's Merlin engines would 'ease' themselves back to Earth on rockets
ina speech he said: A fully and rapidly reusable system is fully required forlife to become multi-planetary, for us to establish life on Mars.
Thenew rocket would consist of Merlin rocket stages that would pilot themselves back to the launch pad, plus a new version of Space X's 'Dragon' module that would also use no 'chute.
Rocketstypically cost between $50million and $60million to build but launch costs arejust $200,000 - so by reusing the same one more than once it will! make it farcheaper.
TheSpaceX plan is that both of the rocket's stages would return to the launch siteand touch down vertically under rocket power after delivering a spacecraft toorbit.
New versions of the Falcon's Merlin engines would have the capacity to pilot themselves back to earth - to separate landing pads
MrMusk said that no wings would be needed to guide the craft down. Headded that he had spent more than a year wrestling with the problem and come tothe conclusion it could be done.
Hesaid: I wasn't sure it could be solved, for a while, but then I think justrelatively recently probably in the last 12 months or so I've come to theconclusion that it can be solved and I think SpaceX is going to try to do it.
Now,we could fail; I'm not saying we are certain of success here but we are goingto try to do it.
Andwe have a design that on paper doing the calculations, doing the simulations itdoes work.'
But he warned, 'Nowwe need to make sure that those simulations and reality agree - becausegenerally when they don't reality wins.
Space X's new Merlin engines would 'not need wings' to pilot themselves back to earth accurately, said Space X founder Elon Musk
SpaceXhas already completed its first successful sub-orbital test flight when it senta Dragon capsule into orbit, which was recovered in good condition and is readyto fly again.
Itsnext mission will be to launch a Dragon capsule to the International SpaceStation in January. Thecompany also hopes to eventually qualify its capsule to carry astronauts inaddition to cargo.
Facedwith budget cutbacks, NASA has turned to Mr Musk after it axed its own spaceshuttle programme earlier this year.
Theyhave found an eager partner in him and he has has invested $100million of hisown money into SpaceX.
Thecompany has also signed a $1.6billion deal with NASA to carry out 12resupplying missions to Americans on board the International Space Station.
MrMusk, an Internet entrepreneur who founded PayPal, used his billions to startthe electric car company Tesla Motors before founding SpaceX.
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