SpaceX could attempt first in-flight refueling for world’s biggest rocket

SpaceX is planning to test a critical technique for Moon and deep space missions during the next launch of its Starship rocket, according to Nasa.

NASA에 따르면 SpaceX는 다음번 스타쉽 로켓 발사 중에 달과 우주 탐사를 위한 핵심 기술을 테스트할 계획입니다.

The third major flight test of the world’s biggest rocket is expected to take place early next year after the first two attempts ended in explosions.

Future versions of the spacecraft will be used to help deliver people to the Moon as part of Nasa’s Artemis program. Key to this mission will be the ability to perform an inflight propellant transfer, which could be attempted during the next test flight that aims to launch Starship from Texas and land it in Hawaii.

향후 버전의 우주선은 Nasa의 Artemis 프로그램의 일환으로 사람들을 달에 보내는 데 사용될 것입니다. 이 임무의 핵심은 텍사스에서 스타쉽을 발사하여 하와이에 착륙시키는 것을 목표로 하는 다음 시험 비행 중에 시도할 수 있는 기내 추진제 이동을 수행하는 능력입니다.

A spokesperson for the US space agency told CNBC that discussions are currently underway to try the orbital refuelling technology.

미국 우주국 대변인은 CNBC에 현재 궤도 급유 기술을 시험하기 위한 논의가 진행 중이라고 말했습니다.

“Nasa and SpaceX are reviewing options for the demonstration to take place during an integrated flight test of Starship and the Super Heavy rocket,” the Nasa official said. “However, no final decisions on timing have been made.”

NASA 관계자는 "Nasa와 SpaceX는 Starship과 Super Heavy 로켓의 통합 비행 테스트 중에 시연할 옵션을 검토하고 있습니다"라고 말했습니다. “그러나 시기와 관련해 최종 결정은 내려지지 않았습니다.”

For the test to succeed, Starship would need to reach low-Earth orbit – something SpaceX is yet to achieve.

The first attempt on 20 April this year ended when both stages of the rocket exploded after attempting to separate a few minutes after launch.

The second high-altitude flight test on 18 November was more successful, becoming the first to achieve hot-staging separation. This saw the top part of the rocket separate from the Super Heavy booster using its onboard engines, however both parts of the rocket were ultimately lost.

The inflight fuel transfer will be the first test of a system designed to eventually allow Starship to refuel from an external tanker in Earth’s orbit.

“The goal is to advance cryogenic fluid transfer and fill level gauging technology through technology risk assessment, design and prototype testing, and in-orbit demonstration,” Nasa said.

Nasa는 “기술 위험 평가, 설계 및 프로토타입 테스트, 궤도 내 시연을 통해 극저온 유체 전달 및 충전 레벨 측정 기술을 발전시키는 것이 목표입니다.”라고 말했습니다.

“The demonstration will decrease key risks for large-scale propellant transfer in the lead-up to future human spaceflight missions.”

Following the November launch, SpaceX boss Elon Musk said the next Starship rocket system should be “ready to fly in three to four weeks” but the timeline will depend on the speed of external reviews undertaken by regulatory agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Mr Musk has been known for his ambitious development deadlines, which have frequently been pushed back. His ultimate goal for Starship is to build hundreds of the rockets in order to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by 2050.

머스크 씨는 야심찬 개발 기한을 정한 것으로 알려져 있는데, 이 기한은 자주 미뤄졌습니다. 스타쉽에 대한 그의 최종 목표는 2050년까지 화성에 영구적인 인간 식민지를 건설하기 위해 수백 개의 로켓을 만드는 것입니다.