Come aboard and find out why rocket are set to replace commercial aircraft
Known as the ‘Big Falcon Rocket’, or more simply as the BFR, SpaceX’s upcoming spacecraft is set to satisfy all of our space-faring needs in one neat package. It will build upon the staggering success of their previous two rocket designs: the Falcon 9, which at the time of writing has successfully completed nine launches in 2018, and the Falcon Heavy, which first took to the skies in February of this year. These rockets have demonstrated for the first time in our history that not only can you land the first stage of a rocket booster on the ground safely, but you can reuse it. It is from this milestone that the BFR’s goal to not only take people off-world, but also shuttle them around it, becomes viable and immensely promising.
Standing at a mammoth 106 metres in total, the BFR will be composed of two major stages: a 58-metre-tall booster used to lift the vehicle into orbit, and a ship mounted atop the booster. This front portion will be equipped with 1,100 tons of additional fuel and boast a large, pressurised cabin for its city-to-city launches. This will give the BFR everything it will need to send its customers into sub-orbit and speeding around the globe. Here, passengers will be treated to not only arriving at their destination ludicrously quickly, but also to the majestic views of our planet that so far only a few lucky individuals have seen. Surely those sights alone will justify the cost of the ticket, with the fast arrival time becoming a rather big cherry on top.
This story is from the Issue 113 edition of How It Works.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 113 edition of How It Works.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHAT IS THE SMELL OF RAIN?
After rainfall, this distinctive aroma is released from the soil
Galileo's GREATEST DISCOVERIES
Peer into the mind of this trailblazing astronomer and discover his pioneering observations
WHY JUPITER'S GREAT RED SPOT IS VANISHING
Jupiter’s complex weather system is sapping its famous red spot at an alarming rate. And scientists predict the feature could vanish within our lifetimes
HOW ARE CARS RECYCLED?
Step into one of the UK’s largest car recycling centres to discover the secrets of a vehicle disassembly line
INSECT INSPIRATION
Why flies have had an impact on science
WHY WE NEED FLIES
They’re some of the strangest and most reviled insects on the planet, but they’re also incredibly useful
WHERE DOES YOUR POO GO?
Following the flush, your body’s waste undergoes a long journey as it’s prepped to return safely to the environment
HOW DIALYSIS MACHINES WORK
These lifesaving devices take over the role of failing kidneys
WHAT IF THERE WAS NO GRAVITY?
How this fundamental force controls the way things move on Earth and throughout the universe
Fungi seem to 'sweat' to stay cool
Mushrooms, and possibly all fungi, have the ability to cool down by ‘sweating’ away water