Rockets and Capsules Used in Mars Missions: SpaceX’s Starship System

We know SpaceX as the space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. How will this company, famous for developing innovative and reusable rockets, take us to Mars? is recognized. Here are the main rockets developed by SpaceX and their features

Falcon 1 rocket was its first attempt

SpaceX’s first rocket. First private sector rocket to successfully reach orbit in 2008 happened. It was designed to carry small payloads but was replaced by the Falcon 9 for larger projects. After that date, everything started to change. It was only a short time before we saw rockets landing vertically. The world would be very surprised.

Renovation started with Falcon 9 Rocket

Featuring reusable first stage technology It appeared as a rocket.It is currently used for satellite launches, cargo transport to the space station, and crewed flights. It is considered one of the most reliable rockets in the world and has successfully landed many times. Of course it wasn’t enough because there was still more work to be done.

Falcon Heavy This would bring even more power

It appeared as a powered version of the Falcon 9. It was the most powerful active rocket in the world. The fact that it was designed to carry heavy loads into orbit or distant destinations (e.g. Mars) took the company to the top league. Sent Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster into space on its first flight (2018). This was a first and the world had never witnessed anything like this before.

Starship now gave us the opportunity for complete reuse

I think this was SpaceX’s newest and most ambitious rocket project. Completely reusable And the fact that he can make a comeback in both the first and second stages puts him in an excellent position. Its purpose is to send people to Mars and the Moon, space tourism and commercial missions. 100+ tons load capacity We can say that it is the largest spacecraft ever designed. Test flights are still continuing. It will be completely ready soon. It is still sometimes lowered into the ocean during test flights.

Dragon Capsule will carry us to Mars

It began its mission as a spacecraft operating alongside Falcon rockets. Transport cargo and crew Designed for. So much so that this capsule also offers a living space. Dragon 2 version performs crewed flights as part of NASA’s commercial crew program. Now, when the tests are completed soon, he will take us around space for a fee.

Let’s briefly list the Featured Technologies here.

• Reusability: SpaceX offered landing and reusable capabilities to reduce the cost of rockets.
• Autonomous Landing and Recovery: The first stages of Falcon 9 and Heavy are capable of successful landings on drone ships at sea or platforms on land. This is very important.
• Starship Super Heavy: We can say that Starship’s first stage, “Super Heavy”, is completely reusable and has a very large lifting capacity.

Working with the aim of making space transportation more economical, SpaceX is taking great steps towards establishing a colony on Mars and becoming a pioneer in space research.

How do these rockets land vertically?

The ability of SpaceX rockets to land vertically is possible thanks to a combination of advanced engineering and technology. We compiled the information we could find about how this process works and how it happens.

They Made Guidance and Correction Systems for Landing

Rocket returning from orbit to Earth Grid Fins It uses aerodynamic winglets called (grid wings). Grid Fins It controls the direction of the rocket and ensures that it is directed to the correct landing point.

Active Control is provided with motors

SpaceX rockets land vertically by running their Merlin engines in reverse. The engines actively slow and control the rocket’s speed during descent. During the landing burn, the engines precisely slow the rocket’s fall for a controlled touchdown.

For Autonomous Navigation and Landing

Rockets use an autonomous navigation system to find and guide themselves to the landing area. The system continuously calculates the rocket’s position and speed using GPS and other sensor data. Without human intervention, software controls the descent. We can say that this job is actually child’s play for Elon Musk.

Landing Legs, this is very important.

Located at the bottom of the rocket landing feet, opens a few seconds before landing. Like in space movies. These legs keep the rocket balanced and act as shock absorbers. In this way, a very soft landing occurs.

Designed to be used anywhere as a Landing Platform

Rockets developed by SpaceX “drone ships” or it can land on special platforms on land. Since drone ships can move at sea, they allow the rocket to land by saving more fuel. These platforms generally calculate conditions such as wind and sea currents and support the rocket in landing at its exact center.

Physical Foundation: Rocket Science in Reverse This is awesome

• Rockets landing vertically, Newton’s Laws of Motion can be explained by:
  • The thrust from the engines works against the Earth’s gravity and the rocket’s falling speed, ensuring a balanced landing.

The role of Artificial Intelligence and Software is huge here

SpaceX landing rockets artificial intelligence We now know that it is used. These software instantly calculate environmental variables and send appropriate commands to the engines. To ensure stability of the rocket during descent Gimbal system (motor steering) comes into play. It is an incredible system that has been worked hard and thought out.

Exactly how far do these rockets take the capsules?

SpaceX rockets can launch capsules or payloads to a variety of targets. Targets change depending on the purpose of the mission and the load it carries. We can say that the main targets for which the capsules are produced are as follows.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

• Height: Between 200 km and 2,000 km.
• Areas of Use:
  • Satellite Launches: Communication, observation and research satellites.
  • International Space Station (ISS): SpaceX’s Dragon capsule transports cargo and astronauts to the ISS.
  • Starlink Satellites: SpaceX places thousands of satellites in LEO for its global internet network project.

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

• Height: Between 2,000 km and 35,786 km.
• Areas of Use:
  • Navigation Satellites: Global positioning systems such as GPS and GLONASS are located in this region.
  • Scientific Research Satellites: This orbit is especially preferred for larger earth surveys.

Geostationary Orbit (GEO – Geostationary Orbit)

• Height: 35.786 km.
• Areas of Use:
  • Communication Satellites: Satellites in this orbit rotate simultaneously with the Earth’s rotation speed and remain at a fixed point.
  • Weather Satellites: This orbit is preferred for continuous monitoring of large areas.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)

• Height: Usually 600-800 km.
• Areas of Use:
  • Earth Observation Satellites: It is used for continuous observation of the same areas from various angles.

Deep Space Missions is this hard to reach place

• Lunar Orbit and Moon:
  • SpaceX’s Starship has been selected to take astronauts to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis Program.
• Mars:
  • SpaceX’s long-term goal is to carry cargo and people to Mars with Starship.

Let’s briefly write down the Capsule Types and Their Functions.

Dragon Capsule

• Crew Dragon: To transport astronauts.
• Dragon Charge: Carries supplies and equipment to the ISS.

Starship Capsule

• It has a very large payload capacity and can carry both cargo and people. In the long term, it will be used in projects such as Mars colonization and space tourism.

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How is it removed?

1. Falcon 9 veya Falcon Heavy Roketi:
   • The capsule is carried into space attached to the rocket’s second stage.
   • The second stage places the capsule into the target orbit.
2. Starship:
   • Since it is designed as both a first and second stage, it takes the payload directly to the target.

What thrusters do the capsules use in outer space and how do they do this?

The capsules are specially designed to move and maneuver in space. space thrusters they use. These thrusters appear as chemical or electrical propulsion systems optimized to operate outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Let’s get to know how the capsules move in outer space and the propellant systems they use.

Principle of Movement in Space 

• Newton’s Third Law: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
  • The capsules move forward or backward by spraying gas or plasma from their thrusters.
  • The gas released from the thrusters causes the capsule to move in the opposite direction. It’s a complete space movie, you see.

Types of Thrusters Used are:

SpaceX’s capsules and other spacecraft have the following types of thrusters:

a. Draco Thrusters (Dragon Capsule)

• Fuel: Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) fuel and Nitrogen Tetroxide (NTO) oxidizer.
• Area of ​​Use:
  • Orbital adjustments.
  • Approaching and docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
  • Maneuvers during reentry.

b. SuperDraco Thrusters (Crew Dragon Capsule)

• Fuel: Same chemical fuel system as the Draco.
• Features:
  • It is much more powerful and can be used in emergency situations. escape system It is used as.
  • It could launch the capsule carrying astronauts to a safe distance in the event of a rocket crash.

c. Electric Thrusters (Future Uses)

• Method: Ionized gas (e.g. Xenon) is accelerated by electrical energy.
• Advantages:
  • Provides much higher fuel efficiency.
  • It accelerates slowly, but is used for long-duration missions (e.g. spacecraft to Mars).
• SpaceX does not currently use electric thrusters in its Dragon capsule, but this technology will become available in vehicles such as Starship in the future.

Fuel Consumption and Efficiency

Movement in space does not require a lot of fuel because there is no air resistance. However, the capsules still need to manage their fuel efficiently throughout the mission. For this reason, thrusters typically operate in short, controlled “pulse” bursts to ensure precise maneuvering and optimal fuel usage.

Which rocket and capsule will go to Mars?

SpaceX to go to Mars, fully reusable Starship It develops rocket and spacecraft systems. Starshipis SpaceX’s main vehicle for the journey to Mars, designed to carry both people and cargo.

Competing Technologies and Collaborations

• NASA Artemis Program: SpaceX’s Starship will also be used in NASA’s Moon missions. This is seen as the testing and preparation phase for Mars missions.
• International Collaborations: SpaceX may collaborate with other space agencies and private companies on Mars missions.

How much does it cost for a rocket and capsule to go from earth to mars

The cost of a rocket and capsule to get from Earth to Mars depends on many factors, but based on current information provided by SpaceX and other space agencies, I’ve detailed the estimated costs below.

Current Estimates

SpaceX CEO’su Elon Musk, Significantly reduce the costs of traveling to Mars states his aim. But currently the total cost of a Mars mission is estimated as follows.

a. For Cargo Missions

• SpaceX’in Starship Sistemi Estimated cost for a cargo mission to Mars with:
  • 2-10 billion dollars (valid for first missions).
  • This cost may decrease as infrastructure is established and technology becomes more efficient.

b. For crewed missions

• Cost of first crewed Mars mission:
  • 10-20 billion dollars.
  • Development costs included additional elements such as life support systems, crew safety and fuel production infrastructure.

Factors Determining the Cost

The main factors affecting the cost of going to Mars:

a. Rocket Launch Cost

• SpaceX’in Falcon 9 Cost of a launch with its rocket: ~$67 million.
• Falcon Heavy: ~$97 million.
• Starship System: Elon Musk says Starship will reduce the cost of a single mission in the long run below $10 million aims to download.

b. Fuel Cost

• Raptor EnginesIt uses methane and liquid oxygen (CH₄ and O₂).
• The total fuel cost required for the journey to Mars is: $500,000 – $1 million.
• Being able to produce methane fuel on Mars will reduce the return cost.

c. Vehicle Development and Production Costs

• Development of Starship and Super Heavy:
  • In total, SpaceX will spend approximately 5-10 billion dollars spends.
• Depreciation of technology: Although the cost will be high for the first few missions, unit costs will decrease with the reuse of technology.

d. Load Amount is also important

• Starship, Mars’a 100 ton can carry load.
  • The aim is to reduce the cost per 1 kilogram of load from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of dollars.

to. Crew Life Support

• In crewed missions, life support systems and supplies (food, water, oxygen) required for the crew stand out as important cost elements..

f. Infrastructure Establishment on Mars reveals the true cost

• Installation costs such as fuel production (methane production facilities) and energy infrastructure (solar panels, nuclear reactors) on Mars will pose a great burden on the first missions.

What are Elon Musk’s Goals?

Elon Musk reveals the cost of a ticket to Mars in the long run “for the price of a house” He said he was aiming to download it. Estimated figures:

• Individual Ticket Cost: $100,000 to $500,000.
• Long Term Goal: The total cost of a Mars mission as the technology scales below $500 million downloading.

Costs of NASA and Other Agencies

• The estimated total cost of a crewed Mars mission that NASA plans to launch in the 2030s:
  • 100 billion dollars (it’s just a task).
  • This cost comes from NASA’s government-funded, less commercially focused work.

The total cost of a Mars mission is currently in the billions of dollars. But with companies like SpaceX scaling the technology and increasing reusability, costs are likely to come down. In the long term, going to Mars is historically similar to the first big ship voyages. It could become widespread that way. For now, it seems very difficult for a normal worker to go on these very expensive and difficult journeys. I don’t think ordinary working people can attempt this job, no matter how much the costs decrease. I hope the future will be good. 

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