Summary of Space Race and Rocket Initiatives
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The world of space, with a near-future scenario, is navigated by the UK and the US now. The UK gained significant strides in its space race, particularly with the Skyrora company receiving authorization for a space license—becoming the first to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from the UK. This move marks a major milestone in the UK’s space sector, symbolizing progress in the developing launch industry.
Interestingly, recently, CAA (United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority) has granted a homegrown company, Skyrora, the driving license to launch a rocket from a remote Scottish island. If successful, Skyrora would hold the distinction of being the first British company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space. This is a historic achievement, marking the first rocket launch by a British company since 1971, when Black Arrow demonstrated a satellite in orbit. The launch would mark the beginning of small-scale microgravity experiments, marking the start of a promising commercial space launch industry.
Additionally, the article discusses the skewering Skyrark L and Skyrark XL rockets’ capabilities. The Skyrark L can only perform static firing under five seconds, equating to 3 seconds per second of thrust and creating only an altitude equivalent to theِ thermosphere, the layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where spaceflight is possible. The Skyrark XL, in contrast, can only reach an altitude of 500km. While it lacks the ability to reach low-Earth orbit, the US and China are投标 for feasibility studies and a lunar reactor, respectively. The candidate U.S. will soon present its plans for a nuclear reactor on the Moon, aiming to create a reliable energy source for future lunar populations, where the day is approximately a month long.
The article further delves into the construction of the two-stage Skyrora. “Skyrora consists of three stages,” Skyrora explains. “We are currently in the process of assembling the second stage. We consider it to be ready for launch in the spring of 2027.” Also, Skyrora has a new test launchpad in Shetland Islands, intended only for testing under commercial conditions.
Furthermore, the UK is closer to establishing a global nuclear space Edward Nebula—COSMIC. This innovative project aims to build a nuclear reactor for local use on the Moon, potentially opening up a new energy source for future human populations on the Red Planet. However, the temporally challenged designers in the US and China are competing to build this centralized resource center for a key player on the Moon.
Comment
Dr. Paul Bate, CAA’s chief executive, notes the significance of the work being done by Skyrora. “This is a step in the right direction for our space industry,” Bate said. “It’s funding our national confidence in sustainable development on our planet and creating jobs.”
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