It is widely noted that, SpaceX has hired former NASA head of human spaceflight, Kathy Lueders, to help oversee development of the company’s Starship rocket. This hire marks another key move for SpaceX in its race to develop and use Starship to fly NASA astronauts to the moon within the next decade.
Lueders is the second former NASA chief of human spaceflight to retire and join SpaceX in recent years. Her experience in managing human spaceflight missions will be invaluable as SpaceX works towards its goal of establishing a permanent settlement on Mars.
The Starship rocket is designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It is a fully reusable spacecraft that can carry up to 100 people at a time. The ultimate goal is for Starship to become the primary means of transportation for both humans and cargo between Earth and other planets.
SpaceX has already made significant progress towards this goal with successful test flights of its prototypes. However, there are still many challenges that need to be overcome before it can become a reality.
One major challenge is developing the technology needed for long-duration space travel. This includes everything from life support systems and radiation shielding, to propulsion systems capable of reaching speeds necessary for interplanetary travel.
Another challenge is ensuring the safety of astronauts during launch and landing. The Starship rocket will be powered by powerful engines that generate intense heat and noise during liftoff. It will also have to withstand extreme temperatures during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Despite these challenges, SpaceX remains committed to its vision of making humanity a multi-planetary species. The company believes that establishing a permanent settlement on Mars is not only possible but necessary for humanity’s survival in the long term.
As Elon Musk once said, “I think there is a strong humanitarian argument for making life multi-planetary…in order to safeguard the existence of humanity in case something catastrophic were to happen.”
The conjecture, the hiring of Kathy Lueders is another important step for SpaceX in its mission to make humanity a multi-planetary species. With her expertise in human spaceflight missions, she will be a valuable asset as the company works towards establishing a permanent settlement on Mars.
It is widely noted that, “SpaceX hires former head of NASA manned spaceflight for Starship role.”
