Introduction
The rockets used today are not very different to those used in the apollo programme over thirty years ago,and they are just as expensive to build. However, recently there has been a large demand for satellites, and because of this, scientists are looking for cheaper ways to send payloads into Earth's orbit. The Space Shuttle was a step forward in designing a re-usable spacecraft, but scientists are now coming up with ideas that could open up space to everybody!
The X-33
NASA's Single-Stage-to-Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle is the first new spacecraft for over twenty years. It is currently a sized-down prototype of a new spacecraft for over twenty years. It is currently a sized-down prototype of a new rocket called the Venturestar, which will be built if X-33 is successful.
Whereas the space shuttle jettisons its boosters and main fuel tank during its journey into orbit, the Venturestar will travel into space and back in one piece. The rocket boosters will be replaced by an engine called a linear aerospike, which is powerful enough to launch the spacecraft without the need of external rockets. The X-33 takes off vertically in the same way as the space shuttle and lands like a plane. However, its design will lower the price of putting a pound of payload into orbit by about 90%.
Other Suggestions
The X-33 is only one of many recent attempts to design more efficient rockets. The DC-XA, was a revolutionary new rocket made from pieces of equipment re-used from vehicles. It could take off and land vertically but was discontinued after four test lights because of a crash. Another remarkable idea is the Roton, which is designed to make rockets lighter by removing heavy technology needed to pump rocket fuel. Instead of mixing fuel and oxygen at high pressure, the rotor blades on the roton spin the engine so that propellant is literally thrown into the combustion chamber. On the return to Earth, the blades provide lift in the same way as a helicopter's rotor blades.
Ion Propulsion
Scientists have developed a new kind of rocket technology that is a great deal cheaper than using liquid or solid fuel. Ion propulsion engines work in the same way as conventional rocket engines, by expelling a force in one direction to help propel the spacecraft in the opposite direction. However, instead of using the exhaust gases from mixing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, ion technology runs an electrical charge through a gas called xenon. This causes ions(basically charged atoms) to shoot out of the back of the spacecraft at a speed of over 100,000km/h (62,000 mph), much faster than the gases expelled by conventional rockets.
Some more facts........
1). The X-33 has a lightweight titanium body that makes the craft much lighter than the Space Shuttle. Its weight on the ground is 123,800 kg (273,000 lb), of which 95,300 kg (210,000 lb) is fuel!
2). With much cheaper rockets being developed, space travel will soon be available to many more people. One company is already taking bookings from people who want a holiday in space!
3). The Xenon gas used in ion technology is the same gas that is used in camera flash-tubes and lighthouse bulbs.
4). The Deep Space 1 probe is one of the most successful tests of ion technology. It has been running in space for longer than any other rocket in the space programme.
5). Conventional rockets are very expensive and noisy to use. Ion propulsion engines use only 100g (3.5 oz) of xenon per day, which is released as a faint blue glow rather than an explosion.
The rockets used today are not very different to those used in the apollo programme over thirty years ago,and they are just as expensive to build. However, recently there has been a large demand for satellites, and because of this, scientists are looking for cheaper ways to send payloads into Earth's orbit. The Space Shuttle was a step forward in designing a re-usable spacecraft, but scientists are now coming up with ideas that could open up space to everybody!
The X-33
Whereas the space shuttle jettisons its boosters and main fuel tank during its journey into orbit, the Venturestar will travel into space and back in one piece. The rocket boosters will be replaced by an engine called a linear aerospike, which is powerful enough to launch the spacecraft without the need of external rockets. The X-33 takes off vertically in the same way as the space shuttle and lands like a plane. However, its design will lower the price of putting a pound of payload into orbit by about 90%.
Other Suggestions
The X-33 is only one of many recent attempts to design more efficient rockets. The DC-XA, was a revolutionary new rocket made from pieces of equipment re-used from vehicles. It could take off and land vertically but was discontinued after four test lights because of a crash. Another remarkable idea is the Roton, which is designed to make rockets lighter by removing heavy technology needed to pump rocket fuel. Instead of mixing fuel and oxygen at high pressure, the rotor blades on the roton spin the engine so that propellant is literally thrown into the combustion chamber. On the return to Earth, the blades provide lift in the same way as a helicopter's rotor blades.
Ion Propulsion
Scientists have developed a new kind of rocket technology that is a great deal cheaper than using liquid or solid fuel. Ion propulsion engines work in the same way as conventional rocket engines, by expelling a force in one direction to help propel the spacecraft in the opposite direction. However, instead of using the exhaust gases from mixing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, ion technology runs an electrical charge through a gas called xenon. This causes ions(basically charged atoms) to shoot out of the back of the spacecraft at a speed of over 100,000km/h (62,000 mph), much faster than the gases expelled by conventional rockets.
Some more facts........
1). The X-33 has a lightweight titanium body that makes the craft much lighter than the Space Shuttle. Its weight on the ground is 123,800 kg (273,000 lb), of which 95,300 kg (210,000 lb) is fuel!
2). With much cheaper rockets being developed, space travel will soon be available to many more people. One company is already taking bookings from people who want a holiday in space!
3). The Xenon gas used in ion technology is the same gas that is used in camera flash-tubes and lighthouse bulbs.
4). The Deep Space 1 probe is one of the most successful tests of ion technology. It has been running in space for longer than any other rocket in the space programme.
5). Conventional rockets are very expensive and noisy to use. Ion propulsion engines use only 100g (3.5 oz) of xenon per day, which is released as a faint blue glow rather than an explosion.
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