WSJ: SpaceX Pursues Military Use of Starship
Project "Starfall" Aims for Rapid Global Cargo Delivery by Rocket
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on May 26 (local time) that SpaceX, the space company led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is pursuing plans to use its Mars exploration spacecraft, Starship, for military purposes.
Citing sources, WSJ reported that SpaceX recently assigned additional staff to a Starship-related project called "Starfall." This project is reportedly linked to plans to use Starship to rapidly transport military equipment around the world.
Military officials and space companies have been researching ways to transport cargo using rockets for the past several years. Their goal is to deliver large quantities of supplies to major military bases or remote locations within one hour of a spacecraft launch.
In 2017, SpaceX presented an online concept in which people boarding Starship in New York would arrive in Shanghai, China, in just 39 minutes. However, in recent years, company executives have rarely mentioned such global transportation goals. Nevertheless, in an official document published last year, the company stated its objective to carry out rocket cargo missions for the U.S. Air Force. In this mission, Starship is expected to attempt to transport more than 30 tons of cargo. The company also stated that it expects to receive approximately $149 million in additional support to further develop Starship's cargo transport capabilities.
On March 6, SpaceX attempted its eighth Starship orbital test flight, during which the second-stage spacecraft exploded in midair after launch, prompting an investigation by authorities. After about two and a half months, the company received approval from authorities last week to proceed with the ninth test flight launch. SpaceX plans to attempt the ninth Starship orbital test flight at 6:30 p.m. Central Time on May 27.
CEO Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of enabling humanity to live on Mars in the event of a crisis on Earth, and has since been developing the Starship spacecraft and rocket for Mars exploration.
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