Science Illustrated

Elon Musk wants to you die on Mars!

A huge booster rocket could launch at least 100 people at a time towards the Red Planet, paving the way for a colony on another world.

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The world’s largest rocket is the backbone of SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s wild vision of establishi­ng a viable colony on Mars. He is dreaming of sending one million colonists to the Red Planet within the next 50-100 years.

After several years of developmen­t efforts, the man with the vision has introduced the ship that will take passengers to Mars. Including the spacecraft at the top, the reusable rocket rises a huge 122 m into the air – of which the spacecraft accounts for the top 49.5 m. First, the spacecraft is placed in an orbit around Earth by means of the booster rocket, which will subsequent­ly return to Earth. After being equipped with a fuel tank, the rocket returns to the spacecraft to fill the latter's tank. In this way, the launches from Earth include less weight to be lifted, keeping the price down.

The Raptor engines, which power the craft, use a combinatio­n of liquid methane and oxygen as fuel. Both are available on Mars, ensuring that the tanks can be refilled, so colonists or even tourists can return.

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SUNLIGHT IS POWER With full tanks, the spacecraft's engines are activated, and it leaves for Mars. En route, the ship harvests energy for the journey by using two large solar panels that extend after launch. Solar panel Fuel tank Spacecraft Booster...
4 SUNLIGHT IS POWER With full tanks, the spacecraft's engines are activated, and it leaves for Mars. En route, the ship harvests energy for the journey by using two large solar panels that extend after launch. Solar panel Fuel tank Spacecraft Booster...

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