American space company SpaceX has successfully landed its Starship “Super Heavy” launch pad back on the launch pad for the first time. Giant metal arms trapped the missile system in south Texas.
The unmanned ‘Starship’ took off on Sunday from the spaceport of technology billionaire Elon Musk’s private space company SpaceX in the US state of Texas, live images showed. A test flight of about an hour was planned. For the first time during this test, an attempt was made to land the lower rocket stage directly on the launch tower, which was successful.
Both major goals of the test flight had been achieved, Musk wrote on the online platform SpaceX.
Good luck on the fifth attempt
During an initial test in April 2023, the entire missile system exploded after just a few minutes. During a second test in November 2023, the two rocket stages separated and the upper one continued to fly, but shortly afterwards both exploded separately. During a third test in March, the “Starship” reached space for the first time, but was also unable to complete the flight as hoped. During a fourth test flight in June, the ‘Starship’ made a controlled landing for the first time, but it did not go quite as hoped. SpaceX always emphasizes that the purpose of the tests is to collect data.
The ‘Starship’ – consisting of the approximately 70 meter long ‘Super Heavy’ booster and the approximately 50 meter long upper stage, also called ‘Starship’ – is intended to enable manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The system is designed so that the spacecraft and rocket can be reused after return to Earth.
The system, which is approximately 120 meters long in total, will be able to transport more than 100 tons of freight in the future. NASA wants to take astronauts to the moon with the ‘Starship’. SpaceX hopes to one day take the system to Mars.
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.
