SpaceX Starship

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/spacex-starship

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How tall is SpaceX Starship?Approximately 397 feet (121 meters)
2. What is the propellant combination?Liquid Methane (CH4) and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) for Raptor engines
3. What is the targeted payload to LEO?Over 100 metric tons in fully reusable configuration
4. How does Starship travel to the Moon and Mars?Starship has two parts: the Super Heavy booster that pushes it up out of the Earth, and the Starship spacecraft that flies into orbit and can travel to other planets. It uses powerful Raptor engines to lift off and then lands back on Earth.
5. Why is Starship made of stainless steel?Stainless steel is used because it stays strong when it gets very cold or very hot, is cheaper, and can be fixed easily even on Mars.

Super Heavy Booster: The first stage of the Starship system, designed for immense thrust and vertical landing.
In-orbit Refueling: Transferring propellant between spacecraft while in Earth orbit, enabling longer missions.
Delta-v: A measure of the change in velocity required to perform orbital maneuvers or travel between celestial bodies.