The Feasibility and Limitations of BFR Missions to Jupiter and Its Moons

Berthold Friederich, the renowned creator of the BFR (Big Falcon Rocket), has brought into question the possibility of sending the BFR to destinations such as Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, or even as far as the gas giant itself. This article will explore the technical and practical aspects of such missions, analyzing whether these ambitious objectives are achievable within the next two decades.

Technical Feasibility: Could the BFR Reach Europa or Beyond?

The first question to address: Could the BFR go to Europa or as far as Jupiter? The answer to this lies in understanding the mechanics of space travel. Unlike movement in water or air, space travel is characterized by a strong initial burn followed by coasting. The journey from Earth to the Jovian system can take at least two years, but no additional fuel or thrust is required beyond the initial ignition. The challenge lies in minimizing 'boil-off' of fuel during this extended coasting phase.

Europa, being a moon of Jupiter, shares the same solar orbit with its primary. Therefore, visiting one is not substantially different from visiting another. The key goal is simply reaching the Jovian system, a task feasible with the BFR within the next two decades. However, sending people on this journey is not currently possible due to its immense duration. Instead, the BFR could be used to send probes or other payloads to these distant destinations.

Benefits and Motivation for Such Missions

While establishing the technical feasibility of these missions is important, it's equally crucial to understand why such endeavors would be pursued. The billions of dollars invested in space exploration come with significant reasons. Scientific discoveries, technology advancements, and potentially even new resources could drive such missions.

Musk and SpaceX see Mars as their primary focus. Their resources and efforts are currently centered on Mars, ensuring that any long-term goals align with this objective. However, for missions beyond Mars, such as orbiting or studying Jupiter’s moons, SpaceX would be willing to sell their interplanetary-capable BFR to customers who have specific requirements. These could include orbiting missions but not landings, due to the significant technological challenges involved.

Challenges and Limitations

While reaching Jupiter or its moons is feasible, sending humans there poses formidable challenges. Mars missions are already complex and require advanced life support systems. Missions to Jupiter or its moons would need even more advanced systems, including closed-loop life support for extended periods and artificial gravity to maintain bone, muscle, and vascular health. These advancements would likely require a multi-planetary, multi-generation effort.

The BFR, designed primarily for Mars missions, might need significant modifications to accommodate these challenges. For example, customers might wish to send two BFS craft connected nose-to-nose with a tether to generate artificial gravity, although this would be up to the customer to decide and fund.

Conclusion

In summary, while the BFR can theoretically reach Europa or even Jupiter within the next two decades, sending people there is not currently feasible due to the immense duration and complex challenges involved. The pursuit of such missions is driven by a combination of scientific and technological interests, rather than mere exploration.

The perspective here is based on current technology and plans. As SpaceX continues to innovate, future missions might offer new possibilities. However, the BFR is currently more suited for delivering payloads to the Jovian system than for human missions to the same destinations.