SpaceX is currently in a dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration over the delay in obtaining a flight license for its Starship rocket. The company, led by Elon Musk, highlights the rocket’s strategic importance in light of China’s advancements in space exploration.
In a recent open letter, SpaceX argues that the delay “directly threatens America’s position as the leader in space.” The letter also emphasizes the urgency of accelerating Starship’s development to align with NASA’s Artemis program. This program aims to return the U.S. to the Moon and compete with China in the space race, ultimately paving the way for the exploration of Mars.
The letter doesn’t mention other strategic interests of Starship for the U.S. The Pentagon has been in talks with SpaceX to lease a Starship for possible military transport missions. This is because the rocket is designed to fly from one point to another on Earth in just a few minutes.
Starship has a payload capacity of over 100 tons, which could significantly impact the deployment of satellite constellations. For instance, Starlink will use SpaceX’s launch vehicle to expand its service and scale Starshield, the spy version of Starlink for U.S. intelligence.
The Chinese Starship
China is currently leading the way in developing reusable rockets thanks to public investment and less stringent regulations than the U.S. Some of these rockets are based on SpaceX’s Starship. Others incorporate features from the Falcon 9 but add some elements from Starship, such as stainless steel fuselage, methane engines, and reusable upper stages.
The most notable project is Long March 9 (CZ-9), a large rocket being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It features a Starship-like design, a first stage with 30 engines, and is designed to carry 100 tons into low orbit before landing.
However, the rocket isn’t expected to be operational for several years. Its first flight is planned for 2033, and it’ll initially be used for launching space telescopes, the Chinese lunar base, and other potential missions, including manned flights to Mars. The CZ-10 rocket, rather than the CZ-9, will be responsible for transporting the first Chinese astronauts to the Moon.
Additionally, several companies in China’s private sector strive to develop their version of the Starship launch vehicle. LandSpace is the company closest to achieving this goal. Its Zhuque 3 rocket is smaller than a Starship and has a payload capacity similar to that of the Falcon 9 (20 tons). It also features two stainless steel stages powered by methane and liquid oxygen.
In early September, China’s LandSpace completed the second test flight of a scaled-down prototype of Zhuque 3. The rocket reached an altitude of more than 6 miles and successfully reignited its engines for a precision landing, demonstrating techniques similar to those used by SpaceX for reignition and reusability.
A few days later, Deep Blue Aerospace also conducted a similar test with a prototype of its Nebula rocket. Everything went well, but the VTVL (vertical takeoff, vertical landing) test rocket failed to land. Deep Blue Aerospace will attempt the test again in November.
SpaceX vs. the FAA
SpaceX is currently more worried about regulatory challenges at home than competition from China. The fifth Starship launch has been delayed until the end of November as the FAA analyzes SpaceX’s proposed changes. These changes involve maneuvering the Super Heavy booster with the launch tower’s mechanical arms.
The FAA has also proposed a fine of $633,009 for two alleged offenses during Falcon 9 launches. These offenses include failing to complete a verification process two hours before a launch (T-2 in the countdown) and using an unapproved fuel tank.
SpaceX refuses to accept that it committed any violations and claims that the verification survey at T-2 isn’t mandatory. The company also states that the fuel tank isn’t new but has been relocated to a safer area away from public spaces.
Consequently, Musk announced that SpaceX would sue the FAA for what he saw as “regulatory overreach.”
Musk, who has been advocating against the Biden administration and Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, is using his 200 million-follower X account to push for reduced red tape for Starship launches. He aims to send five unmanned Starships to Mars within two years and attempt the first manned flight in the subsequent transfer window between the two planets two years later.
Meanwhile, China is making significant strides. The Asian country has announced plans to challenge NASA by launching a robotic mission in 2028 to collect samples from Mars. While NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently collecting rocks on the Red Planet, the space agency doesn’t have a plan to retrieve the samples anymore. As a result, it has requested assistance from the private sector. SpaceX is one of the potential candidates and has offered to use Starship to search for the samples.
Image | Official SpaceX Photos (via Flickr) | Shujianyang (CC0 1.0) | LandScape
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