# Reusable Suborbital Rockets The Starscraper is a Cheap and Reusable Suborbital Rocket By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-01-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starscraper References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/starscraper-suborbital-rocket/35383/) & [burocket.org](http://www.burocket.org/2014/11/28/2014-media-kit-released/) The [Boston University Rocket Propulsion Group](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humanoid-robot-1), comprising undergraduate engineering students at Boston University, is bidding to develop an inexpensive [suborbital rocket](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rocket-engine-technology) called the Starscraper -- targeted towards educational use -- that is inexpensive and reusable. The rocket aims to address the problems surrounding the exorbitant cost of sub-orbital rockets, which cost around $1 million per launch. The Starscraper measures 9 meters long and weighs 499 kg, and is designed to be able to lift a 45-kg payload to an altitude of 133,000 meters before returning it safely back to Earth. The student researchers have currently spent $90,000 on developing and testing the Starscraper, and are looking to raise funds through a [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/m142-himars) campaign. Depending on pledge level, backers will be rewarded with perks like prints and photos to an invitation to the launch in 2015. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Reusable Rockets:** With the increasing demand for space exploration, reusable rockets have potential in disrupting the aerospace industry regarding launch costs. - **Educational Rockets:** Developing affordable rockets that are targeted towards educational use can disrupt the academic sector by making space exploration more accessible. - **Crowdfunding for Aerospace Research:** Using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter for financing space exploration can potentially disrupt the traditional methods of funding aerospace research. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry can benefit significantly from reusable rockets as it reduces the high launch costs associated with space exploration. - **Education:** Developing affordable and accessible educational rockets can revolutionize the academic sector by allowing more students and researchers to participate in space exploration. - **Crowdfunding:** Using crowdfunding to finance space exploration can revolutionize traditional methods of funding aerospace research, opening up opportunities for more projects and experimentation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Space-Exploration Rockets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/x-bow-launch-systems.md) - [Eco-Friendly Nano Satellites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orbex-prime.md) - [Space Tourism Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-perspective-1.md) - [Rechargeable Child Rocket Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-geographic-power-rocket.md) - [3D-Printed Orbital Rockets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phoenix-engine.md) - [Hypersonic Launch Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/launch-vehicle.md) - [Space-Inspired Toy Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-collections.md) - [Novel Aerial Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-walkers.md) - [Space Tourism Travels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balloon-spacecraft.md)