Although the second test flight of the gigantic Starship rocket also failed, Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is satisfied. A spokesperson described the events as an “incredibly successful day” despite the “rapid unplanned dismantling” of the propulsion stage and rocket. The first test flight in April had already failed when the rocket tumbled and was blown into the air.
Unlike the first test flight in April, the giant rocket successfully separated from the propulsion stage during this attempt. But then first the propulsion stage and shortly afterwards the spacecraft itself exploded – instead of falling into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii as planned after 90 minutes. There was initially no further information about the reasons for the explosion.
Reusable steps are intended to reduce costs
Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built and, at 400 feet tall, the largest. It aims to make space missions more cost-effective through the reusability of the two phases. SpaceX boss Elon Musk wants to use it to one day take people to Mars. The American space agency NASA wants to use them for its Artemis moon landing mission.
NASA CEO Bill Nelson said Saturday’s test flight showed progress. “Congratulations to the teams who made progress on today’s test flight,” Nelson wrote on the online service formerly known as Twitter. “Space travel is a daring adventure that requires a practical mindset and bold innovations. Today’s test is an opportunity to learn – and then fly again.”
“It was a fantastic partial success,” space researcher Laura Forczyk told the AFP news agency. “It exceeded my expectations.”
The first test flight failed
The first test flight on April 20 at SpaceX’s Starbase spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas, failed spectacularly. The spaceship went into a tailspin when several engines failed and the rocket’s first stage failed to separate from the second stage. SpaceX therefore detonated the rocket in the air four minutes after launch.
The rocket exploded in a fireball, the ash cloud of which was blown into a town several kilometers away. The force of the rocket engines sent chunks of concrete flying through the air and caused a fire to break out in a local park. The launch attempt resulted in a months-long investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and SpaceX had to make several revisions. On Wednesday, the FAA gave SpaceX the green light for its second launch attempt, despite protests from environmentalists.
Environmental organizations have filed a lawsuit against the test flight
There is a lawsuit against the FAA over the Starship’s first launch attempt. Several environmental organizations accuse the authority of not correctly assessing the environmental risks of the new giant rocket.
The FAA said it also launched an investigation into the “accident” during Saturday’s second test launch to “identify corrective actions to prevent a recurrence.” No property damage or injuries were reported.
SpaceX wants the next test flight soon
Space scientist Forczyk said the company has made “more progress” in this effort than in April. She expects that after this test flight, SpaceX will receive the green light from the authorities to start again more quickly.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
