Science Illustrated

Starship accommodates a small community

Astronauts steer from the bridge

1 From the Starship bridge, the crew can monitor fuel levels and rocket engines, potentially carrying out corrective manoeuvres using small rocket nozzles, or larger manoeuvres using Raptor rocket engines.

Exercise preserves muscles

2 Without gravity, astronauts lose both muscle and bone mass. So Starship will carry exercise equipment including a training bike and a treadmill, allowing the crew to keep their bodies as fit as possible.

Shield protects against the Sun

3 Severe solar flares can send high levels of electrically-charged particles into the Solar System, and these particles might increase the risk of astronauts developing cancer. So Starship includes a shielded safe room for such times.

Sleeping cabins become offices

4 Along the edges of the central circular corridor at the centre of the rocket, there are sleeping cabins. During the ‘day’,

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