Space travel has always been a dream for many, but it has been a costly and risky endeavor. However, recent advances in technology have made it possible for reusable rockets to be developed, which could significantly reduce the cost and increase the safety of space travel.
In this article, we will be discussing five upcoming reusable rockets that are set to revolutionize the space industry.
Upcoming Reusable Rockets
Starship and Superheavy
SpaceX’s Starship and superheavy rockets are the most powerful rockets on the planet. The Starship system is a fully reusable, two-stage-to-orbit super heavy-lift launch vehicle that SpaceX is developing.
Starship has already completed a landing and belly flips maneuver as of August 2021, and later this month, Starship and Super Havey will be tested in a sub-orbital flight.
New Glenn
Blue Origin’s New Glenn, named after NASA astronaut John Glenn, is a heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle set to revolutionize space travel.
Scheduled to launch from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, New Glenn boasts a reusable first stage that can land on a moving ship nearly 1,000 km downrange, even in rough sea conditions.
The second stage delivers payloads safely to orbit, completing the mission. New Glenn is set to launch in the near future, bringing us one step closer to more accessible and efficient space travel.
NEUTRON
Rocket Lab’s Neutron is a medium-lift launch vehicle designed to deliver up to 8,000 kg of payload to low Earth orbit. It is expected to be operational in 2024 and will focus on the growing market for mega constellation satellite delivery.
The 40 m tall rocket will have a 4.5 m payload fairing diameter and is intended to be reusable, with landings on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean. Neutron is suitable for constellation deployment, cargo supply, and interplanetary missions, and is capable of human spaceflight.
Terran r
Terran R is a fully reusable rocket set to launch from Cape Canaveral starting in 2024. It is capable of launching over 20,000 kg into low Earth orbit and is designed to accommodate both commercial and government customers.
In addition to providing affordable access to space, Terran R will eventually offer a point-to-point space freighter for missions between the Earth, Moon, and Mars. It is a versatile and cost-effective solution for a variety of space exploration needs.
ADMIRE
ISRO’s ADMIRE is a test rocket distinct from the Reusable Launch Vehicle program currently in development. It is expected to have a two-stage design and be shorter and narrower than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
ADMIRE is fitted with landing legs and grid fins, and may potentially use retrograde propulsion thrusters for steering and slowing down before landing. The test site and dates for ADMIRE are currently unknown.
