With Starhopper, Space Flight Opportunities Open in Texas

Recently, SpaceX launched a vehicle called Starhopper, which looked like nothing less than a gigantic water reservoir, over Texas. The test vehicle has reached a height of 150 meters with a single methane combustion Raptor engine, translates to about 100 meters, and then sits with extreme accuracy on a runway. The flight took less than a minute, but it may well have implications that will change the story.

SpaceX will then develop and test orbit prototypes for its Starship spacecraft. The company plans eventually to launch the spacecraft over an even larger rocket that she calls the Superheavy until the Moon, Mars and other destinations in deep space. SpaceX builds versions of the spacecraft prototype at both its Texas facilities in Boca Chica and Florida at the Kennedy Space Center.

Director of NASA Jim BridenstineJames (Jim) Frederick BridenstineWith SpaceX's Starhopper, open space flight opportunities for Texas Space race incentives: lunar return price or cash on delivery contracts? America must play a leading role in establishing the new frontier MORE suggested that vehicles such as the Starship could be used to deliver goods to the future lunar base scheduled for the late 2020s, on a cash on delivery basis.

Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzWith SpaceX's Starhopper, space flight opportunities are open for Texas Texan Republicans to be concerned about the rapidly changing state of Texas Texas Poll: Biden Leads Democrats 6 points PLUS, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation and Space "and his staff are closely watching the changing situation and are excited about the vehicle's prospects, economic activity and the resulting innovations in Texas, "said a Cruz spokeswoman at Ars Technica.

The Texas state government and various local governments have indulged in inciting SpaceX, in the form of taxes and the like, to set up a spaceport in Boca Chica. Cruz, supervising NASA in his role as president, would naturally be interested in the return that this investment could bring back. A functioning spaceport in Texas could also be a way for Cruz and the Texas Congress delegation to have fun last on the Alabama congressional delegation.

Earlier, NASA announced that the Marshall Spaceflight Center, Alabama, would manage the development of two-thirds of the lunar lander envisioned for the Artemis project's moon return program. Marshall would be responsible for the stages of transfer and descent of the LG. The Johnson Spaceflight Center would take care of the development of the ascent phase.

Noting that JSC was responsible for building the lunar lander of the Apollo era, Cruz sent a laconic press release expressing his dissatisfaction, according to Spaceref.

"I am deeply disappointed with the announcement made today by NASA Administrator Bridenstine.The Johnson Space Center was the main center of the lunar landing program during Apollo – the last once the United States landed astronauts on the moon and brought them safely back to Earth – the main spaceflight center inhabited to this day, "Cruz said in a statement.

"While the Marshall Space Flight Center's rocket and propulsion expertise is unchallenged, the responsibility for managing the next lunar lander should rest with the Center with experience and experience in manned space flight – the Johnson Space Center, "he added. "As NASA moves forward in its projects, I will use all the tools at my disposal to ensure that the Johnson Space Center remains the jewel of the exploration of the human space."

Could any of these tools be a private spaceport located just five hours drive from the Johnson Spaceflight Center? JSC has a lot of expertise, especially in the field of astronaut training. One can imagine SpaceX signing a contract with NASA to train pilots and passengers on the spacecraft to the rigors of space travel, before heading to Boca Chica for the Moon or Mars. JSC could also handle goods destined for missions in deep space.

The spacecraft would first serve as a compliment, then as an alternative to NASA's plan to return to the moon, involving the space launch system, whose budget exceeds billions of dollars and which is lagging behind the years preceding. Ironically, the SLS is being developed at the Marshall Spaceflight Center in Alabama, the same place that also handles most lunar landers.

Musk has promised that he could land a cargo-filled spaceship on the lunar surface by 2021, three years before NASA plans to land the "first woman and the next man" on the moon. Most people, especially at the space agency, do not think this will happen.

But even if a spacecraft lands on the moon a few years late and Cruz helps to make this possible, the history of space exploration will have taken an unexpected turn. For Cruz, regarding the Alabama Congress delegation, revenge will be a cold served dish.

Mark Whittington is the author of studies on space exploration "Why is it so difficult to return to the moon? as well as "The Moon, Mars and Beyond".