Why is SpaceX using methane?

SpaceX is focused on developing re-usability technology for their rocket lines. Traditional rocket-grade kerosene produces residue (a process known as “coking”) when it burns. Methane fuel burns cleaner so there is no residue build-up which means engines can be re-used more times without refurbishment.

How will Starship survive reentry?

When Starship lands it is designed to perform a “belly flop” maneuver to slow down its descent, Starship is equipped with hexagonal ceramic heatshield tiles on its back side to protect it from the blazing temperatures it will experience upon atmospheric reentry.

What fuel does Elon Musk’s rocket use?

kerosene
The Guardian reports that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket uses kerosene as fuel — which emits carbon dioxide, among other chemicals, into the atmosphere. SpaceX did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Can stainless steel survive reentry?

Using this process, Ailor and his team have found that the amount of heating that space junk undergoes at high altitudes is less than they had expected – and that high-melting-point materials like titanium and stainless steel can survive re-entry with little damage.

What fuel will SpaceX Starship use?

Our analysis indicates that a fully configured Starship launch (booster and Starship) will use about a 1000 tonnes of methane in the form of LNG as fuel.

Why do rockets not use hydrogen fuel?

To keep it from evaporating or boiling off, rockets fuelled with liquid hydrogen must be carefully insulated from all sources of heat, such as rocket engine exhaust and air friction during flight through the atmosphere. Once the vehicle reaches space, it must be protected from the radiant heat of the Sun.

Why is the Starship made of stainless steel?

Stainless steel (at least the 301, 304, and 30x experimental variants that SpaceX is using) gets stronger at cryogenic temperatures. So, now when you load the fuel and Lox, the tanks are actually stronger than when they are at room temperature.

What steel is Starship made of?

301 stainless-steel
On Monday (March 9) during a keynote conversation at the Satellite 2020 conference in Washington, D.C. Musk announced that SpaceX will change the stainless-steel alloy used in the construction of Starship. Currently, Starship prototypes are built from the 301 stainless-steel alloy.

Does the ISS have fuel cells?

The ISS electrical system uses solar cells to directly convert sunlight to electricity. Large numbers of cells are assembled in arrays to produce high power levels.

What fuel is used in spaceships?

Today, liquid hydrogen is the signature fuel of the American space program and is used by other countries in the business of launching satellites. In addition to the Atlas, Boeing’s Delta III and Delta IV now have liquid-oxygen/liquid-hydrogen upper stages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f07th3dbPZo