{"id":18794,"date":"2017-09-25T20:06:22","date_gmt":"2017-09-25T12:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacexs-elon-musk-is-setting-up-his-fans-for-a-surprise-during-mars-mission-update\/"},"modified":"2017-09-25T20:06:22","modified_gmt":"2017-09-25T12:06:22","slug":"spacexs-elon-musk-is-setting-up-his-fans-for-a-surprise-during-mars-mission-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacexs-elon-musk-is-setting-up-his-fans-for-a-surprise-during-mars-mission-update\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX\u2019s Elon Musk is setting up his fans for a surprise during Mars mission update"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_348023\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-348023\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full-width wp-image-348023\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/when-will-elon-musk-update-mars-630x354.jpg\" alt=\"Elon Musk\" width=\"630\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/when-will-elon-musk-update-mars-630x354.jpg 630w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/when-will-elon-musk-update-mars-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/when-will-elon-musk-update-mars-1260x709.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/when-will-elon-musk-update-mars.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\"><figcaption data-nosnippet=\"\" id=\"caption-attachment-348023\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One year after unveling his plan for Mars settlement at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico, SpaceX founder Elon Musk will return to the IAC stage this week in Australia.. (SpaceX via YouTube)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>SpaceX founder Elon Musk says he\u2019ll unveil \u201cmajor improvements and some unexpected applications\u201d this week when he updates his plan for sending thousands of settlers to Mars starting in the 2020s.<\/p>\n<p>The update is coming in a talk Musk is giving to the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, set for about 9:30 p.m. PT Thursday (2 p.m. Friday in Adelaide). The IAC\u2019s organizers say the talk will be live-streamed. (<strong>Update:<\/strong> SpaceX is providing the live stream at http:\/\/www.spacex.com\/mars.)<\/p>\n<p>This week\u2019s talk follows up on Musk\u2019s appearance at the IAC last September in Mexico, during which he laid out a detailed plan to develop a new type of monster spaceship and booster for Mars trips, known as the Interplanetary Transport System or ITS.<\/p>\n<p>The spaceship, which was nicknamed the BFS (\u201cBig Freakin\u2019 Spaceship) or Heart of Gold (after the ship from \u201cHitchhiker\u2019s Guide to the Galaxy\u201d), would be designed to carry 100 passengers and cargo to Mars, fuel up on the Red Planet and return to Earth for the next mission. The booster would be similarly reusable.<\/p>\n<p>Since last September, SpaceX has continued work on the methane-fueled Raptor rocket engine and other components needed for the ITS. But Musk has been hinting that the mission architecture would be downsized to make the project more affordable and accommodate other types of missions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think this one\u2019s got a shot of being real on the economic front,\u201d he said in July.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Musk said on Twitter and Instagram that some aspects of the updated design and its applications would be unexpected:<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-0\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 241px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=b0yle&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=912258562293825541&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geekwire.com%2F2017%2Fspacexs-elon-musk-sets-fans-surprise-mars-mission-update%2F&amp;sessionId=790244133491f89e7c5f566f21106d78ffe5c55a&amp;siteScreenName=geekwire&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"912258562293825541\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 241px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=b0yle&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=912259150175813633&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geekwire.com%2F2017%2Fspacexs-elon-musk-sets-fans-surprise-mars-mission-update%2F&amp;sessionId=790244133491f89e7c5f566f21106d78ffe5c55a&amp;siteScreenName=geekwire&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-tweet-id=\"912259150175813633\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BZdZdSZAtQf\/?hl=en&#038;taken-by=elonmusk<\/p>\n<p>So what kinds of unexpected applications can we expect? The most reasonable candidates would be missions to the moon and its surroundings, known as cislunar space.<\/p>\n<p>Cislunar missions are expected to become a priority for NASA under the Trump administration. The space agency is already talking up plans for a Deep Space Gateway that would go into lunar orbit and serve as a jumping-off point for robotic missions on the lunar surface as well as crewed flights to Mars and other farther-flung destinations.<\/p>\n<p>United Launch Alliance, Orbital ATK, Boeing and Lockheed Martin all have drawn up concepts for deep-space gateways and lunar habitats. Meanwhile, Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, is talking with NASA about a \u201cBlue Moon\u201d launch and landing system that could make robotic deliveries to the lunar surface.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX is likely to be looking for a piece of the action as well. It also has a plan on the books to send paying passengers around the moon by as early as next year (although later is far more likely). Cislunar applications for Musk\u2019s reworked Interplanetary Transport System seem so likely that it\u2019s hard to call them \u201cunexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another possibility has to do with SpaceX\u2019s plan to put thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit to provide global internet access. The satellite system \u2014&nbsp;which is being developed at SpaceX\u2019s offices in Redmond, Wash., and may be known as Starlink&nbsp;\u2014 would seem to require lots of launches. But it\u2019s not inconceivable that bunches of satellites could be deployed during a single orbital outing for ITS.<\/p>\n<p>Yet another option would involve setting up a more lasting infrastructure for Martian settlement. Lockheed Martin, for example, is due to provide \u201clate breaking news\u201d about its Mars Base Camp concept at the Adelaide IAC meeting. Musk could conceivably lay out a plan that envisions more than mere back-and-forth rides for SpaceX\u2019s future customers.<\/p>\n<p>Lockheed Martin\u2019s deputy project manager for NASA\u2019s Orion deep-space vehicle, Larry Price, says he welcomes SpaceX\u2019s interest in beyond-Earth exploration&nbsp;\u2014 a field that he expects NASA to pioneer for commercial follow-up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cElon is expanding more into this realm. \u2026 It\u2019s all good, it\u2019s everybody getting excited about that possibility and developing where the market could be,\u201d Price told GeekWire last week during a visit to Aerojet Rocketdyne\u2019s facility in Redmond, Wash.<\/p>\n<p>The current timetables point to a buildup toward crewed Mars missions within a decade or two. NASA\u2019s plan calls for sending astronauts to Mars and its moons in the mid-2030s. Lockheed Martin says its Mars Base Camp could be launched by 2028. And Musk has talked about starting up SpaceX\u2019s shuttle service to Mars in the mid-2020s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One year after unveling his plan for Mars settlement at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico, SpaceX founder Elon Musk will return to the IAC stage this week in Australia.. (SpaceX via YouTube) SpaceX founder Elon Musk says he\u2019ll unveil \u201cmajor improvements and some unexpected applications\u201d this week when he updates his plan for sending [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1045,3575,367,4950,316],"class_list":["post-18794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-elon-musk","tag-interplanetary-transport-system","tag-mars","tag-mars-colonial-transporter","tag-spacex"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18794"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18794\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}