SpaceX reversed the plan to launch missiles on Mars by 2020

SpaceX aerospace company has to back up its plan to launch missiles on Mars in 2018 to 2020, starting the race on this planet. Last year SpaceX announced its bold plan to launch the Dragon spacecraft to Mars in 2018 - which could be considered the first exploration mission on Red Planet. But now this aerospace company has pushed back the pace two years later.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell confirmed: " SpaceX is aiming to make a trip to Mars by 2020, this trip allows them to focus more on other ambitious projects ."

Photo source: SpaceX

" We have aimed for the 2018 goal, but we feel we need to put a lot of resources and focus on developing crew training as well as the program of Falcon Heavy. So, we will reschedule our goal by 2020 to serve the purpose of Mars, 'Shotwell said at a press conference held in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The task, named Red Dragon, tested the technology needed to carry and transport large and necessary equipment on the surface of Mars - a difficult task. . What is special is that at Mars there is a low density atmosphere, so there are very few clouds to support and reduce the speed of the spacecraft. Vehicles carrying heavy loads run the risk of colliding with the ground while landing. Even this is a common problem for airlines around the world.

Unlike previous ships, SpaceX's Red Dragon was designed to land on the Martian surface with a rocket engine attached to the body, a special technique called " Supersonic Jet ". If this mission is successful, this will mark the turning point in the field of space exploration because for the first time such a ship of such size and weight can reach the Red Planet.

However, now we will have to wait at least 4 more years to know the results. SpaceX, the aerospace company, had to postpone the launch of the Dragon rocket project for another two years, because it was the best time to carry out the task. Flights to Mars are usually made 26 months apart, because it's time for it to line up with Earth in its orbit.

Photo source: SpaceX

" Meanwhile, thanks to the delay of the Red Dragon, SpaceX had more time to develop other great targets, such as the first Falcon Heavy missile launch - the larger version of Falcon 9 - expected to be put into testing this summer, "Shotwell said.

Not only that, SpaceX is also upgrading and improving Dragon's capsule ship to be able to take astronauts to the International Space Station. SpaceX is planning to launch these ships for the first time in 2018, but according to a recent government report, it will be difficult for them to follow the schedule. At the press conference that took place on February 17, Shotwell stated that: " Space X is very confident about his project and will definitely bring astronauts to Earth in 2018 despite the report. What to say: Perhaps pushing back the Red Dragon mission will help the company achieve its goals " .

If SpaceX had to wait until 2020, then perhaps the road to Mars would be " crowded " no less than rush hour traffic. NASA intends to bring the next rover machine to Red Planet in 2020, as well as ExoMars robots - the project by Roscosmos and the European Aerospace Department to work together to find signs of life on the planet. this planet. The Emirate of Saudi Arabia is also conceiving the launch of Mars orbiting spacecraft by 2020. Not stopping here, to China also shows the ambition to conquer it in the last year of the decade. this.

Refer to some more articles:

1. Why does SpaceX send the deadly virus to the International Space Station?
2. "Planet Hunters" are seeking signs of extraterrestrial life around nearby stars
3. The mysterious 9th planet may be a "free floating" planet

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