Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
SpaceX is reigniting its 'Earth to Earth' travel concept, aiming to transport passengers to distant cities by rocketing through space. Elon Musk claims it’s finally achievable, sparked by Trump’s recent re-election.
Imagine boarding Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket, with 1,000 fellow travelers. Instead of heading to deep space, Starship cruises parallel to Earth’s surface, setting a new era of intercity travel.
Musk envisions drastically reducing travel times, making the world more accessible. Imagine flying from London to New York in 30 minutes, New York to Shanghai in 39, or Delhi to New York in just 30 minutes. SpaceX teases life-changing speed for business and leisure, though fares could reach thousands.
Unlike a plane ride, Starship’s high speeds would exert extreme G-forces. Passengers might face weightlessness mid-flight, staying strapped in and tilted back for comfort and safety during this exhilarating journey.
For safe re-entry, SpaceX advises passengers to clench muscles, especially during takeoff and landing. This unique guidance highlights the unusual challenges faced when rocketing through Earth's atmosphere.
SpaceX’s 2017 promo video depicts a smooth, swift journey from New York to Shanghai in just 39 minutes, offering a first look at what high-speed, orbit-based travel could soon look like for civilians.
X user @ajtourville hinted that the project could gain traction under Trump’s FAA. Musk, who invested $130 million in Trump’s campaign, responded simply: "This is now possible," teasing a near-future reality.
With short flight durations (15-20 minutes for some routes), Musk says Starship won't need toilets. Passengers might opt for a "tactical toilet break" pre-launch to ensure comfort during the thrilling trip.
SpaceX has demonstrated its engineering prowess, catching the Starship booster with “chopsticks” for reuse. Kate Tice of SpaceX dubbed it "a day for the history books," marking another leap toward Musk’s vision.