All articles tagged with #orbital flight
SpaceX's recent Starship test flight highlighted issues with heat shield tiles, particularly the need to improve sealing to prevent heat leakage, with plans to test new sealing methods like 'crunch wrap' on upcoming flights. The company aims to achieve orbital flights next year with upgraded Starship versions, paving the way for lunar and Mars missions, and developing large-scale orbital refueling.
Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane, the first commercial spaceplane capable of orbital flight, is nearing completion and will soon undergo tests to prove its spaceflight capabilities. The spacecraft, designed to ferry cargo to and from the International Space Station, features foldable wings, a composite structure with ceramic tiles for heat protection during reentry, and a pressurized compartment for astronauts. Sierra Space aims to revolutionize space travel with the Dream Chaser, offering a gentle ride back to Earth for cargo and the ability to land on a runway, providing easier access to experiment results.
SpaceX's Starship vehicle is set to make its first-ever orbital flight on April 17 from the company's Starbase site in South Texas, pending regulatory approval. The mission will mark a significant milestone for SpaceX, as Starship is designed to be the most powerful rocket ever to fly and will revolutionize spaceflight by allowing the company to launch huge payloads to Earth orbit and beyond for very low prices.