SpaceX’s uncrewed spacecraft Starship, developed to carry astronauts to the moon and beyond, was presumed to have failed in space minutes after lifting off on Saturday in its second test, after its first attempt ended in an explosion. The two-stage rocketship blasted off from the Elon Musk-owned company’s Starbase launch site near Boca Chica in Texas, soaring roughly 55 miles (90 km) above ground on a planned 90-minte flight into space.
Quick Read
- Starship Test Flight Ends in Explosions: SpaceX’s Starship rocket suffered a major setback as both the booster and spacecraft exploded minutes into its test flight on Saturday.
- Rocket Reaches Space but Fails: The Starship successfully reached space after launching from South Texas, but communication was lost shortly after, leading to the activation of the ship’s self-destruct system over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Self-Destruct Over the Gulf: SpaceX officials indicated that the ship’s self-destruct system was likely activated, resulting in its destruction over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Second Consecutive Explosion Incident: This test flight, like the first one in April, ended in an explosion, marking a repeated failure in SpaceX’s test flights.
- Booster Explosion: Approximately three minutes into the flight, the separated booster also exploded, although its primary function had already been completed.
- Longer Flight Duration Than Previous Test: Despite the failure, this flight lasted about eight minutes, twice as long as the test flight in April.
- Starship’s Record Size and Power: Starship, standing nearly 400 feet tall, is celebrated as the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, designed to transport people to the moon and Mars.
- Positive Outlook from SpaceX Commentators: SpaceX commentators John Insprucker and Kate Tice focused on the successful liftoff and the valuable data gathered, despite the eventual failure.
- Elon Musk’s Presence at Launch: SpaceX founder Elon Musk observed the launch from near Boca Chica Beach in Texas, with SpaceX employees in California cheering the initial success before realizing the mission’s failure.
- Flight Objective and Outcome: The mission aimed to reach an altitude of 150 miles to send Starship around the globe, with an intended splashdown near Hawaii. However, the spacecraft was destroyed before completing a full orbit.
- Post-April Flight Improvements: Following the April test, SpaceX implemented numerous enhancements to the booster, its 33 engines, and the launch pad.
- FAA Clearance for Flight: The Federal Aviation Administration had cleared Starship for flight just days before, confirming that all safety and environmental standards were met.
The Associated Press has the story:
SpaceX launches its giant new rocket but explosions end 2nd test flight
Newslooks- (AP)
SpaceX launched its mega rocket Starship but lost both the booster and the spacecraft in a pair of explosions minutes into Saturday’s test flight.
The rocketship reached space following liftoff from South Texas, but communication suddenly was lost. SpaceX officials said it appears the ship’s self-destruct system blew it up over the Gulf of Mexico.
The flight came to an end as the ship’s engines were almost done firing to put it on an around-the-world path. The first test flight in April also ended in an explosion.
On Saturday, about three minutes into flight, the separated booster also exploded over the gulf. By then, though, its job was done.
Despite the failure, the approximately eight-minute flight lasted twice as long as April’s test. At nearly 400 feet (121 meters), Starship is the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, with the goal of ferrying people to the moon and Mars.
“The real topping on the cake today, that successful liftoff,” said SpaceX commentator John Insprucker.
Added commentator Kate Tice: “We got so much data, and that will all help us to improve for our next flight.”
SpaceX founder Elon Musk watched from behind launch controllers at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexico border, near Boca Chica Beach. At company headquarters in Hawthorne, California, employees cheered as Starship finally soared at daybreak. The room grew quiet once it was clear that the spaceship had been destroyed and crashed into the gulf. The booster also ended up in the gulf.
SpaceX had been aiming for an altitude of 150 miles (240 kilometers), just high enough to send the bullet-shaped spacecraft around the globe before ditching into the Pacific near Hawaii about 1 1/2 hours after liftoff, short of a full orbit.
Following April’s flight demo, SpaceX made dozens of improvements to the booster and its 33 engines as well as the launch pad. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared the rocket for flight on Wednesday, after confirming that all safety and environmental concerns had been met.
