Why Elon Musk’s Rockets Are Making Headlines in the World of Space Technology
SpaceX, the revolutionary company founded by Elon Musk, has made remarkable achievements in the field of launching space rockets. It has not only developed but also produced engines of a new type, paving the way for reusable rockets. This has been a dream since Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space, and SpaceX has made it a reality. Today, commercial and scientific satellites are sent into orbit, and cargo is delivered into space, thanks to reusable rockets.
However, recently, Musk’s rockets are making headlines for a different reason. SpaceX is now developing a new generation of non-nuclear hypersonic missiles that can be used against Russian aircraft. This has created a stir in the world of cosmonautics, causing world leaders to take notice. In this article, we dive deep into the world of space technology and explore why Elon Musk’s rockets are garnering so much attention.
The Military Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine and Its Impact on Cosmonautics
The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, has created an atmosphere of strife between the leading countries in the field of cosmonautics. Russia, being the leader in the number of space launches per year, has begun canceling joint programs with foreign countries because of the sanctions imposed against it. This has hurt the entire world of cosmonautics. In addition, SpaceX now has to concentrate part of its attention on the military application of its technologies.
This brings us to the question, will Elon Musk’s company be able to replace Roscosmos in the field of space flights? Moreover, what can SpaceX oppose to deter Russian aggression?
The Advancements in Hypersonic Missiles
A couple of years ago, Russia stirred up the entire world community when a hypersonic cruise missile, Zircon, was launched from the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov in the Berin Sea. The missile successfully hit a naval target at a distance of 450 kilometers, and its speed exceeded Mach 8. Western military experts were wary of this. Europe and the United States simply did not have such technologies, meaning that Russia had an obvious advantage.
However, there is no reason to panic. The United States has been aware of this problem for a long time and called on Elon Musk to help. Back in 2021, it was reported that SpaceX and the US military plan to create a rocket capable of delivering 80 tons of cargo anywhere in the world in 60 minutes. The creation of the missile for cargo delivery was announced on October 7th, 2021, by the head of the US transport command, General Stephen Lyons.
The New System and Its Advantages
The new system will allow for the delivery of materials such as weapons and ammunition over a distance of more than 7,500 miles, which is more than 12,000 kilometers from Florida to Afghanistan. Delivery from space will take less than an hour. For example, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft does this in 15 hours. These missiles are a great danger for Russian aircraft like the Boeing C17. The rocket from SpaceX will hold 80 tons of cargo, and its trials will begin next year.
The advantage of the new rocket is not only in speed. Currently, flights over foreign territory in orbit do not require permission from the governments that own this territory. Earlier, SpaceX signed a contract for $149 million for the production of missile tracking satellites for the US Department of Defense. Elon Musk’s space company will build four satellites under a contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA). The satellites will be equipped with wide-angle infrared sensors for tracking missiles.
SpaceX’s Agreements with the Pentagon
In addition, SpaceX signed an agreement with the Pentagon in August to launch new rockets for the US Space Forces. The SDA should become part of Space Force by October 2022. At the same time, at an online conference, the head of the US Transportation Command, Army General Stephen Lyons, said that under the newly agreed contract, SpaceX would estimate the costs of the project, and that the possibility of testing this concept in practice would appear in 2021.
This project has huge potential: think about the speed at which people and goods can be transported. It is already close to completion, which means that in the event of a direct military clash, Russia will not have an advantage over the United States in this area. Moreover, this project can become the foundation for more global achievements of the US armed forces.
What Experts Are Saying
Recently, Franz Stefan Gotti, a military expert from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), suggested that Elon Musk’s new development is part of the American strategy of a rapid global strike- part of a non-nuclear rapid global strike. He wrote, commenting on the news about this project of the Pentagon and Elon Musk.
In accordance with the concept of a rapid global strike, the US Armed Forces should be able to deliver a non-nuclear strike, including hypersonic weapons, anywhere on the planet within one hour. This means that they can destroy the enemy’s airfield within an hour, leaving behind the air forces. It also means that they can shoot down any enemy military aircraft in the sky; anti-missile systems on Russian planes simply cannot cope with Elon Musk’s missile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s rockets are once again making waves in the world of space technology. While the company has been known for its reusable rockets, it’s now making headlines for the development of a new generation of non-nuclear hypersonic missiles that can be used against Russian aircraft. This move has created a stir in the world of cosmonautics, with experts discussing the US’s rapid global strike capability. The creation of a missile for cargo delivery that can transport 80 tons of cargo anywhere in the world in 60 minutes is also significant, and it has immense potential. It will be interesting to see how these advancements in space technology shape the military and commercial sphere in the future.