SpaceX's Starship has the potential to accelerate astrophysics research by decades.

In this week's paper, the authors highlight Starship's substantial payload capacity (+100t) and cost-effective launch model, could allow NASA to deploy next-generation space telescopes much sooner than the 2040s–2050s timelines currently envisioned.

The 2020 decadal survey (Astro2020) lays out ambitious plans for new "Great Observatories" like LUVOIR, the Origins Space Telescope, and the Lynx X-Ray Observatory—missions designed to surpass the capabilities of Hubble and Chandra. However, constrained budgets mean these missions risk launching decades from now, creating a serious gap in our flagship observatory capacity during the 2030s.

Here’s where Starship could be a game-changer:
1) Its massive payload bay could fit larger, heavier telescopes without the need for intricate (and risky) folding designs - converting risk to mass
2) Simplifying deployment could dramatically cut engineering cycles and costs
3) More affordable, scalable materials (like glass mirrors instead of beryllium) could become viable for next-gen space observatories.

The authors call on NASA and the astrophysics community to actively plan around Starship’s capabilities. Doing so could fast-track the next wave of discoveries, ensuring that the 2030s don't become a lost decade for space science.
--
修改:vinbo FROM 202.120.11.*
FROM 202.120.11.*