• last week
Elon Musk's recent introduction of the revolutionary anti-gravity fighter jet came at an extremely crucial period. As nations across the world race to enhance their defense capabilities and secure technological superiority, this groundbreaking aircraft which offers a significant strategic advantage has shocked the world. What impact would this aircraft have in the aviation world? What are the capabilities of this mind-blowing innovation?
Transcript
00:00Elon Musk's recent introduction of the revolutionary anti-gravity fighter jet came at an extremely
00:16crucial period.
00:17As nations across the world race to enhance their defense capabilities and secure technological
00:22superiority, this groundbreaking aircraft, which offers a significant strategic advantage,
00:28has shocked the world.
00:30What impact would this aircraft have in the aviation world?
00:33What are the capabilities of this mind-blowing innovation?
00:37Join us as we unveil anti-gravity aircraft that Elon Musk recently unveiled.
00:42Quite recently, SpaceX's Starship rocket made big progress during its third test flight,
00:48achieving many of its goals.
00:50The two-part rocket successfully launched from Texas and aimed to send its top section
00:55around the world for a re-entry over the Indian Ocean.
00:58Although radio contact was lost near the end, the company said it was amazing to see
01:03how far they made it this time.
01:05SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was also very happy with how the flight turned out.
01:10Last year, when SpaceX's 120-meter-tall rocket launched in April and November, it exploded
01:15shortly after liftoff.
01:18This time, Elon Musk was hoping for a much better result from his SpaceX team, and he
01:22got exactly that.
01:24The rocket roared to life with a massive blast from its 33 engines, smoothly executing every
01:30stage of its climb into space.
01:32Right on schedule, the lower half, called the booster, separated from the top half,
01:37known as the ship.
01:38Two minutes and 44 seconds into the flight, the ship continued its journey, soaring over
01:44the Atlantic and southern Africa.
01:46Along the way, video cameras captured breathtaking images of Earth from over 100 miles above.
01:53Next was the challenge of re-entry, where the ship had to come down for a splashdown
01:57in the ocean.
01:58Video footage showed amazing scenes as hot gases surrounded the vehicle, right before
02:03radio contact was cut off.
02:05Soon after, controllers reported that the ship had been lost, likely because it had
02:10broken apart.
02:12Not everything went as planned.
02:13After separating from the ship, the booster was supposed to slow down and make a controlled
02:18landing in the sea near the Texas coast.
02:21It got close, but seemed to come in too fast and was lost before reaching the water.
02:26The ship was also supposed to restart its engine for re-entry, but that didn't happen
02:30for reasons that aren't clear yet.
02:32These issues can be looked at again once all the data is reviewed.
02:35Overall, though, engineers are confident that progress on the world's most powerful rocket
02:40is on track.
02:41Elon Musk has even promised up to six more test flights this year.
02:45Starship is unlike any rocket we've seen before.
02:48The 33 engines on its booster generate 74 meganewtons of thrust, far more powerful than
02:54any previous rockets, even the ones that sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 70s.
03:00If engineers can perfect it, Starship will be a game changer.
03:04The rocket is designed to be fully reusable and quickly ready for another launch, similar
03:09to how airplanes are refueled and put back in the air.
03:12This ability, combined with its capacity to carry over 100 tons into orbit in one trip,
03:17will drastically reduce the cost of space missions.
03:20For Elon Musk, Starship is crucial for his Starlink project, which is creating a global
03:25network of broadband internet satellites.
03:28There are already over 5,000 satellites in orbit, and the new rocket will be able to
03:32launch even more.
03:34During this test flight, they successfully tested the opening and closing of a door that
03:39will allow future Starlink satellites to be released.
03:42Starship will also help Musk achieve his longtime dream of sending people and supplies to Mars
03:47to establish a human colony.
03:49The U.S. space agency, NASA, was one of the most interested observers on Thursday.
03:55Starship is a key part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back
04:00to the moon this decade.
04:02A special version of Starship would be used as the landing craft, taking the crew from
04:06lunar orbit to the moon's surface and then back up again.
04:09Before astronauts can board, SpaceX will need to prove that Starship is safe and reliable.
04:15NASA hopes to see this happen by late 2026.
04:19The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees commercial spaceflight in the U.S.,
04:24announced that it would investigate the mission due to how the booster and ship ended their
04:28flights.
04:29This is a routine step, and SpaceX will lead the investigation to review what went well
04:34and what needs improvement.
04:36This too is standard practice.
04:38SpaceX's first rocket, the Falcon 1, was a significant achievement as it became the
04:43first privately funded, liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit.
04:48SpaceX designed the Falcon 1 rocket to keep launch costs low for satellites in low-Earth
04:52orbit, improve reliability, and streamline the launch process.
04:57It also served to test parts and design concepts for the larger Falcon 9 rocket.
05:03SpaceX focused on creating a smaller, simpler rocket that could carry around 450 kilograms
05:08to orbit, aiming to avoid financial issues that could arise from building something larger
05:13and more complicated.
05:15The first stage of Falcon 1 was made from strong aluminum alloy and used a single Merlin
05:20engine.
05:21It featured a parachute system for safe recovery.
05:24The engine underwent improvements, with the Merlin 1C version used in later Falcon 1 flights.
05:30This stage provided 92,000 pounds of thrust and burned for about 169 seconds.
05:35The second stage was constructed from a material suitable for extremely cold conditions and
05:40was powered by a Kestrel engine.
05:42It had a pressurization system to control propellant flow and thrusters.
05:47The Kestrel engine generated 7,000 pounds of thrust in space and was designed to be
05:51efficient during flight.
05:54SpaceX initially offered the Falcon 1 rocket at a fixed price of $5.9 million in 2005,
06:01which later increased to $6.7 million by 2006.
06:06In 2009, the price was updated to $7 million for the Falcon 1 and $8.5 million for the
06:12improved Falcon 1, with discounts for multiple launches.
06:17By 2012, SpaceX shifted payloads, originally meant for Falcon 1 and 1E, to fly as secondary
06:24payloads on the Falcon 9.
06:26The Falcon 1 was originally intended to carry 600 kilograms to low Earth orbit for $6 million,
06:33but later was limited to 420 kilograms as costs rose to $9 million.
06:38The final Falcon 1E model was designed to carry 1,000 kilograms for $11 million.
06:44Even though it was retired in 2009 after five launches, its success laid the foundation
06:49for SpaceX's future missions.
06:51The Falcon 9, a medium-lift rocket, has become crucial for SpaceX.
06:56It has two stages and is capable of carrying medium-sized loads into space.
07:01The first Falcon 9 launch happened on June 4, 2010, and its first mission to resupply
07:07the International Space Station was on October 8, 2012.
07:12In 2020, it became the first commercial rocket to send humans into orbit.
07:16By 2021, it had the most launches of any U.S. rocket in history.
07:21The Falcon 9 has a strong safety record with 364 successful launches, two in-flight failures,
07:28one partial failure, and one pre-flight destruction.
07:32The Falcon 9 rocket has two stages.
07:35The first stage, known as the booster, carries the second stage in the payload to a certain
07:39speed and height before the second stage takes over to deliver the payload into orbit.
07:44What makes the Falcon 9 special is that the booster can land vertically for reuse, a remarkable
07:49achievement first pulled off in December 2015.
07:53As of August 28, 2024, SpaceX has successfully landed Falcon 9 boosters 326 times, with some
08:00boosters flying up to 23 missions.
08:03Both rocket stages are powered by SpaceX's Merlin engines, which use super-cold liquid
08:08oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene as fuel.
08:11Falcon 9 has carried some heavy payloads into space, including the Intelsat 35E and Telstar
08:1819B.
08:19It even set a record on January 24, 2021, by launching 143 satellites in a single mission.
08:26Falcon 9 is approved to carry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station and is
08:30certified for critical national security and high-priority NASA missions.
08:36Multiple versions of Falcon 9 have been built, with the latest, the Block 5 variant, in operation
08:41since May 2018.
08:44Both stages of the Falcon 9 rocket use Merlin 1D engines.
08:48Each Merlin engine produces 192,000 pounds of thrust.
08:52These engines are ignited using a special chemical mixture called TI-TEB.
08:57The booster stage has nine engines arranged in a pattern SpaceX calls OctaWeb.
09:01The second stage has a single Merlin 1D engine, with a shorter or regular nozzle, depending
09:07on the mission.
09:09Falcon 9 can still complete its mission even if up to two engines fail by running the remaining
09:13engines longer.
09:14Each Merlin engine is managed by three computers, each with two processors that constantly check
09:19one another.
09:21These engines can also adjust their thrust direction to control the rocket's flight
09:25path.
09:26The walls and domes of the Falcon 9's fuel tanks are made from an aluminum-lithium alloy.
09:32SpaceX uses friction stir welding to make the tanks, which provides extra strength and
09:36reliability.
09:38The second stage tank is a shorter version of the first stage tank, using the same materials,
09:42tools, and manufacturing methods.
09:45The inner stage, which connects the rocket's upper and lower stages, is made of a carbon
09:49fiber and aluminum core composite.
09:52It includes reusable separation collets and a pneumatic system that pushes the stages
09:57apart.
09:58The original design had 12 attachment points for separation, but this was reduced to three
10:03in the V1.1 version.
10:06Falcon 9 rockets use a nose cone called a payload fairing to protect satellites during
10:11launch.
10:12The payload fairing is 13 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, weighs about 1,900 kilograms,
10:19and is made of carbon fiber over an aluminum honeycomb core.
10:23SpaceX designs and makes these fairings in Hawthorne.
10:26They were tested at NASA's Plum Brook Station in 2013, where they simulated launch conditions
10:32like loud noises and vibrations in a vacuum.
10:35Since 2019, these fairings are designed to come back to Earth and be used again for future
10:40launches.
10:41For control systems, SpaceX uses multiple backup flight computers with a fault-tolerant
10:47design.
10:48The software runs on Linux and is written in C++.
10:51They use standard parts and a radiation-resistant design instead of specialized parts.
10:57Each rocket stage has its own flight computers, and each engine has its own controller, all
11:03using a reliable design to manage stage control.
11:06The engine controllers run on PowerPC processors.
11:10Boosters that are not meant to be recovered don't have landing legs or fins, but recoverable
11:14boosters have four extendable landing legs at the bottom.
11:18To guide the core as it falls through the atmosphere, SpaceX uses grid fins that pop
11:23out from the rocket after the stage separates.
11:26The original Falcon 9 Vi 1.2 Full Thrust had aluminum grid fins, but these were later replaced
11:33with larger and more efficient titanium fins.
11:36The titanium fins are better at handling the extreme heat of re-entry and can be reused
11:40many times with only minor maintenance.
11:43Aside from the Falcon, Elon Musk has developed something extraordinary.
11:48Amid all the chaos, Musk's boldness has led to the creation of a real UFO-like craft called
11:53the X-1, which is closely monitored by the U.S. government.
11:58This impressive vehicle, developed by years of work at SpaceX, can reach hypersonic speeds
12:03of 4,600 miles per hour and is very fuel efficient.
12:08Musk's move into advanced aerospace technology raises important questions about how innovation
12:14intersects with global politics and conflicts.
12:17What makes the X-1 special is its unique camouflage technology, making it almost invisible, blending
12:23into the sky like a cloud.
12:25The Pentagon was initially confused, mistaking it for a UFO and sending fighter jets after
12:30it, adding a layer of suspense to the story.
12:34Musk's secrecy around the X-1 even caused confusion among Hamas militants.
12:38The X-1 is also remarkable because it's the only aircraft equipped with a compact space
12:43shuttle engine, previously seen on SpaceX's Hawk hypersonic missile, which can travel
12:48over 4,600 miles per hour and bypass modern missile defense systems.
12:54This engine now powers the X-1, which also has a design that cuts fuel consumption by
12:5930%.
13:01The spacecraft is also equipped with microwave technology, which can melt enemy aircraft
13:06or disrupt their electronics.
13:08This could change modern warfare.
13:10There is also an unusual use for this system.
13:13If the radiation is turned down and aimed at a person, it causes intense pain, making
13:18them flee and abandon their equipment, which could then be captured.
13:22The X-1 could be a major asset for the U.S. military, but Musk and the Pentagon disagree
13:28on how to use the technology.
13:30This tension adds to the intrigue.
13:32While Musk sees it as a potential strategic weapon, the military is more cautious, leading
13:38to a debate about the role of such advanced technology in modern conflicts.
13:43Despite the disagreement, the X-1 continues to amaze.
13:46Its stealth technology avoids radar detection, and it can fly at an incredible altitude of
13:52205 feet, even higher than the famous SR-71 Blackbird.
13:56This combination of speed, invisibility, and altitude could transform space travel and
14:02air defense.
14:03However, like all aircraft, the X-1 isn't invulnerable.
14:07Supersonic missiles are needed to challenge it.
14:09This is where the advanced technology of the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor comes in.
14:15But even though these jets are powerful, they struggle to keep up.
14:18The X-1 flies at 4,600 miles per hour, while the F-35 can only reach 1,200 miles per hour.
14:26While the F-35 is still on its way, the X-1 would have already completed its mission,
14:32destroyed the target, and returned to base without needing to refuel.
14:36The developers aimed to create a fighter jet for the 21st century that could handle all
14:40advanced threats.
14:42The F-35 and F-22 have strong weapons, like AM-120 hypersonic missiles that travel at
14:49Mach 4.
14:50However, these missiles can only maintain their speed for a short time, making battles
14:54intense.
14:56The X-1, on the other hand, uses a different kind of weapon.
14:59It has a microwave system that emits electromagnetic waves, like a laser, but over a wider area.
15:05At full power, the microwave radiation can melt enemy aircraft, but it's usually used
15:10to disable electronics.
15:12Turning a fighter jet into scrap metal.
15:14This new technology aims to be part of what the Air Force calls the Hylomix.
15:19Its microwave system can interfere with both equipment and people.
15:23It also has advanced camouflage that makes it almost invisible to radar in the naked
15:27eye, blending into the sky like a cloud.
15:31While technology is important, skilled pilots are still crucial.
15:35Fighter jets are controlled by highly trained experts who can outthink any operator flying
15:39the X-1.
15:41This combination of advanced technology and human skill makes aerial competition more
15:46complex and exciting.
15:48Previously, the only US aircraft capable of reaching such altitudes was the SR-71 Blackbird,
15:54which wasn't designed for attacks.
15:56It avoided threats by flying very high and very fast.
16:00Its radar-evading abilities and dark color made it hard to track, and it could often
16:05outrun or dodge missiles.
16:07At such high altitudes, the X-1 is nearly untouchable by air defense systems, giving
16:12it an advantage over the Blackbird.
16:14The only way to take it down would be with a fighter jet that can get close enough to
16:18launch a supersonic missile.
16:20The US has such jets, like the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor, which are both strong
16:26opponents.
16:28Besides exploring space, SpaceX has also launched projects like Starlink, a satellite network
16:33providing affordable internet around the world.
16:35By December 2022, Starlink had over 1 million subscribers, although some astronomers are
16:41concerned about light pollution.
16:43Elon Musk's efforts also include humanitarian work.
16:47In 2018, SpaceX created a mini-submarine to help rescue children trapped in a flooded
16:52cave in Thailand.
16:54During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company supported public health efforts by
16:59helping with antibody testing, showing its commitment to helping society beyond space
17:04exploration.
17:05The United States is also working on a next-generation aircraft, the F-AXX.
17:10In July 2009, Boeing made waves with the public unveiling of its sixth-generation fighter
17:15concept under the F-AXX program.
17:18The initial rendering showcased a stealthy twin-engine, tailless jet with a tandem two-seat
17:22cockpit and a blended-wing fuselage.
17:26Designed for versatility, the F-AXX could operate either manned or unmanned depending
17:31on the mission.
17:32This concept falls into the 40,000 pounds weight class.
17:35Notably, the Northrop Grumman X-47B, which had been selected for the UCAS-D program,
17:41was also proposed as a candidate for the F-AXX.
17:44By April 2013, Boeing introduced an updated version of the F-AXX concept.
17:51This iteration continued the tailless, twin-engine design, emphasizing stealth with its all-aspect
17:57capabilities.
17:58The updated design featured canards, which typically impact frontal radar cross-section,
18:04but their inclusion underscored a commitment to superior maneuverability and stealth.
18:09The fighter also incorporated diverterless supersonic inlets, similar to those on the
18:13F-35.
18:15The manned version of the F-AXX appeared to have limited rearward visibility, relying
18:20on advanced sensors to compensate for this design tradeoff.
18:23In 2011, the Department of Defense outlined a plan to phase out older F-A-18CD Hornets
18:29with a new fleet of 220 F-35s.
18:32However, a Navy analysis of alternatives in March of that year suggested three possible
18:37paths, buying additional F-35Cs, developing a new aircraft platform, or a combination
18:44of both for its next-generation air dominance program.
18:47By May 2011, the DoD was exploring the possibility of acquiring more F-35 to eventually replace
18:53556 Super Hornets.
18:56On September 9, 2014, the Navy revealed plans to start an analysis of alternatives for the
19:01F-AXX aircraft in 2015.
19:05This effort aimed to explore the development of a new aircraft, family-of-systems approach,
19:10and advancements in mission systems, avionics, and next-generation weapons.
19:16By April 4, 2019, Radom Scott D. Kahn, Director of Air Warfare, announced that the AOA for
19:24the F-AXX would be completed by spring, with a final report expected by summer.
19:29Once the AOA wrapped up in June, the Navy shifted into the concept development phase.
19:35Until fiscal year 2024, much of the F-AXX was kept a secret under a classified special
19:41access program known as Link Plumeria, one of the DoD's largest R&D initiatives.
19:48Thanks for watching.
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