SpaceX made history last month with the successful launch and landing of their reusable Falcon 9 rocket. Since then, the eyes of the world have been on their respective space agencies for the next move. While the top contenders have remained silent, an unlikely competitor emerged. India has just launched a reusable space shuttle of their own. While a terrific accomplishment, it will unlikely pose any threat to the private space companies of Elon Musk and Blue Origin.
INDIA INSPIRED BY SPACEX FALCON 9 ROCKET
When SpaceX landed their Falcon 9 rocket on a drone ship at sea, the world couldn’t help but become inspired. The event was going to kickstart a wave of copycat projects, however not many thought one would come so soon and from such an unlikely place. India has gone to prove many wrongs by successfully launching an unmanned model space shuttle. The shuttle is just a scale model however it demonstrates India’s capabilities in developing a reusable rocket in the future. Since NASA halted their space shuttle program in 2011, Elon Musk, Blue Origin, and the world’s top space agencies have all been competing to design reusable spacecraft. With India seemingly coming out of nowhere, attention has been directed their way.
SPACEX RESPONDS
SpaceX had their time in the spotlight with their reusable rocket landing and now, Elon Musk continues to move forward. SpaceX is developing a technology of soft-landing a rocket’s first stage at a predetermined location after launching. From there, it will reassemble with a second stage, re-fuel and send the newly formed spacecraft on a second launch mission into space. This will all occur within hours of the first launch. This will only further reduce launch costs and set the company up for future success. They will need it too, as other organizations are beginning to catch up.
BLUE ORIGIN HAS PLANS OF THEIR OWN
Blue Origin and Elon Musk are often paired in the same arguments, however, the goals of the two differ at times. Of course, Blue Origin is interested in reusable spacecraft, but what CEO Jeff Bezos really wants to accomplish is the art of flying people to space by 2018. Test pilots are already scheduled in 2017. If that proves successful, paid astronauts might see space the following year. Competition aside, Blue Origin and Musk are both much further along than NASA at this point. Perhaps the agency could take a tip or two from their friends in India.
