SpaceX will soon test reentry vehicles that could enable in-space manufacturing and rapid point-to-point cargo delivery, according to documents from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On May 15, the FAA issued an environmental assessment for test flights of the new reentry vehicle, called Starfall. Separately, the agency issues a record of decision approving the test flights. This was all announced to the public in an “FAA Space Update” on May 29.
SpaceX has remained tight-lipped when it comes to providing specific details to the public regarding Starfall. The FAA documents provide some interesting insight into the project, which was first reported by Bloomberg last year.
The FAA documents approve two reentries of Starfall capsules in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,300 kilometers off the coast of California. They will fly into orbit aboard either a Falcon 9 or a Starship rocket before coming back down for reentry. A direct suborbital trajectory straight to the landing zone is also an option.
The circular capsules measure 3.1 meters in diameter ((10.2 feet) and 0.75 meters in height (2.5 feet). They are made up of a top plate and a heat shield, which is jettisoned before splashdown. Together, they weigh 2,100 kilograms (4,630 pounds).
According to a SpaceNews, the capsules will be able to carry up to 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds) of payload within a volume of 2.5 by 1.5 by 0.5 meters (8.2 × 4.9 × 1.6 feet).
To read more, click here.