Small Rockets: The Future of Space Exploration
1. What are the three things that you must do if you want to democratize space? Briefly explain each of these things. 2. How often can this private company launch a rocket in New Zealand? Why could it be difficult to launch this often? 3. How does this company manufacture its rocket engines? How fast can they make these? 4. What causes the most “space junk”? How does the Electron rocket help fix this problem?
1. To democratize space, three important things to consider are: a) Accessibility: Making space more accessible to a wider range of people and organizations by reducing costs, simplifying launch procedures, and promoting inclusivity in the space industry. b) Affordability: Lowering the financial barriers associated with space activities, such as satellite launches, space tourism, or scientific research, to allow more participation from various sectors and individuals. c) Innovation: Encouraging the development of new technologies, business models, and approaches that enable a broader range of applications and opportunities in space exploration and utilization. 2. The frequency of rocket launches by a private company in New Zealand, or any other location, depends on various factors such as launch site availability, regulatory approvals, customer demand, and the company's capacity to manufacture and launch rockets. It could be challenging to launch rockets frequently due to logistical constraints, weather conditions, technical issues, or regulatory restrictions. 3. The specific manufacturing process and speed of rocket engine production can vary depending on the company and its technologies. Generally, rocket engines are manufactured using advanced manufacturing techniques and materials such as 3D printing and precision machining. These processes require careful design, rigorous testing, and quality control to ensure reliability and safety. The speed of production can depend on factors such as the complexity of the engine design, availability of resources, and production capabilities of the company. 4. The most significant contributor to "space junk" or orbital debris is the accumulation of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments resulting from collisions or breakups in space. The Electron rocket, or any other launch vehicle, can help address this problem by incorporating measures to minimize the creation of debris. For example, rockets can be designed with stages that either burn up upon reentry or are deorbited into controlled areas such as oceanic splashdown zones. Additionally, rockets can be designed to deploy satellites in orbits that minimize the risk of collisions with other objects in space.