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SpaceX Wants To Produce Medicines, Food, And Chips In Earth’s Orbit With Reusable Capsules Launched And Recovered By The Starship
SpaceX is developing a new project aimed at bringing industrial production to space. The initiative, internally called Starfall, aims to manufacture products such as medicines, food, semiconductors, and cosmetics in the Earth’s orbit.
The information was disclosed by sources cited by Bloomberg. According to them, the idea is to use uncrewed capsules, which would be sent and recovered with the support of the Starship.
The devices would be launched into space, where they would remain for a period to allow production in a microgravity environment.
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After this stage, the capsules would return to the ground. The process seeks to explore the unique conditions of space, such as the absence of gravity and high radiation levels.
These factors may favor the manufacturing of certain items that face limitations when produced on Earth.
SpaceX believes that its launch system can make the project more economically viable. The company already has experience in sending capsules for commercial clients and operates with competitive rates in the space sector.
This could allow the company to stand out in the emerging market of products manufactured off-planet.
The Starfall program is still in its early stages. The expectation is that it will be operational by the end of the decade.
Despite being in its initial stages, SpaceX has already started conversations with potential clients interested in utilizing the proposed services.
The project is led by Chris Trautner, Senior Director of Vehicle Engineering at the company. He has previously been responsible for the development of the Falcon rockets.
The initiative also relies on partnerships with other companies, such as Varda Space Industries, which used SpaceX launches to send capsules into space.
The proposal represents a new step for Elon Musk’s company in exploring technologies that go beyond space transportation. Starfall could mark the beginning of a new phase for the industry off the Earth.
With information from Exame.
