SpaceX Starfall Recovery Testing Begins as New Returnable Cargo Capsule Launches for Commercial and Scientific Research Objectives
SpaceX has begun recovery testing of its new Starfall returnable cargo capsule on its first demonstration flight. As reported in its mission details, 1st SpaceX uncrewed craft with has once again been launched into orbits from a launch centre in Cape Canaveral a Falcon 9L13. The craft which will be used only to ferry scientific research and manufactured products is the automated successor to crewed delivery systems.
The dimensions of the capsule are designed to optimize volume for commercially and scientifically relevant payloads. This would translate to a length of the vehicle at 0.75 meters and a diameter of 3.1 meters with a maximum payload weight of 1 ton. The vehicle will operate in low earth orbit in addition to higher orbits, and seeks to make routine access to microgravity environments for pharmaceuticals manufacturing or scientific research.
The hull of the vehicle is sectionalized into 2 separate segments which separate as the vehicle enters the atmosphere. Space orientation is provided by a cold gas nitrogen system. A heat shield, deorbit control systems and parachutes control the re entry descent. The capsule does not have propulsion engines for deorbiting rather uses the upper stage of the Falcon 9.
There is no mention of how long the test flight will be in orbit in the SpaceX official documentation. After the orbit of the spacecraft has been completed, the craft will splash down into the Pacific, roughly 1300km west of the coast of the United States. To ease concerns on possible environmental issues, the capsule is designed to release vent all non toxic propellant systems and fully vent all pressurized tanks prior to splash down.
