Study of the benefits and applications of passenger supersonic transport vehicles: case study of Starship-SpaceX

Abstract

The demand that exists in commercial aviation is increasing more and more frequently, allowing the new space technologies that are being developed to come into play to tackle this problem, which could have a major impact on mobility in the next few years. However, before these new technologies enter the market, they need to be studied and monitored in order to assess their benefits and possible applications in this sector. Nowadays, there are already a large number of active projects that seek to make high-speed passenger air transport a reality, as was already the case with the Concorde at the time but trying to tackle the major drawbacks that this model had, with the application of the innovative technologies that are currently being developed. This study focuses on SpaceX’s project Starship, which through a Case Study, has subsequently integrated all the information obtained in a CANVAS market study; in addition to carrying out an environmental study and an analysis of risks. In addition, it has been possible to identify the key points that intensify the value proposition of the model, but also the weaknesses or shortcomings that could have a negative impact on the outcome of the project. By assessing all these factors, it has been possible to conclude that by using the appropriate measurement tools to control these drawbacks, the company has a proposal with a bright future that is supported by the great potential that SpaceX has thanks to its business lines, its allies/stakeholders and its long experience in the space sector. When new space technologies flourish successfully, this model could become the most powerful in the world.