The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has disclosed new details regarding the secret Starfall project being developed by SpaceX. This project involves a reusable space capsule designed to return cargo from orbit to Earth. In the future, such vehicles are expected to serve for conducting experiments in space, manufacturing materials, and rapid cargo delivery between different points on our planet. This is reported by Ixbt.com reports .
According to documents released by the FAA, Starfall is a disk-shaped unmanned capsule that resembles a flying saucer in appearance. It is planned to be launched into space using Falcon 9 and Starship rockets. Once in orbit, the vehicle will perform scientific and manufacturing tasks in microgravity conditions, then return to Earth with its payload.
SpaceX views this project as the foundation for a family of serial reusable vehicles. It is estimated that a single capsule will be capable of delivering up to 1 ton of cargo to orbit and returning it. This system will play a key role in developing the space industry, particularly in manufacturing certain components directly in space.
Initial tests are planned to be conducted over the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,300 kilometers from the coasts of California and Mexico. After re-entering the atmosphere, the capsule will decelerate using parachutes and land in the ocean. SpaceX aims to recover all parts of the vehicle using specialized ships for analysis and reuse.
If the project is successful, SpaceX could gain leadership in the market for reusable orbital platforms, where companies like Varda Space Industries, Inversion, and Atmos Space Cargo are currently operating. All these startups are currently working on technologies for manufacturing products in space and delivering the results back to Earth.
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