SpaceX carried out the seventh test flight of Starship, following a delay due to weather concerns. The mission included the spacecraft’s first payload deployment test, but encountered issues leading to a "rapid unscheduled disassembly".
During the flight, SpaceX successfully caught the Super Heavy Booster, however, lost communication with Starship.
Key Details
- The launch took place from Boca Chica, Texas, around 5:37 p.m. EST.
- This was the first time Starship’s Super Heavy booster reused one of its engines.
- SpaceX managed to catch the booster with mechanical arms for the second time after takeoff.
- Communication was lost during Starship's ascent phase when some engines malfunctioned.
- The initial plan was for Starship to conduct several experiments, including its first payload deployment test and tests of various spacecraft upgrades.
Investigation
SpaceX promised to provide more details on the incident in the upcoming hours and days, emphasizing that from such tests, valuable lessons are learned for future improvements. The company is keen on enhancing Starship’s reliability through these trials.
Future Prospects
SpaceX is seeking approval from the FAA to boost the annual Starship launches from five to 25. A decision from the FAA is pending after the closure of a public discussion window on January 17.
Background
Since its initial flight in April 2023, SpaceX has conducted six Starship launches. The objective is to make Starship fully reusable for transporting cargo and crew to space. Standing at approximately 400 feet, Starship is touted as the largest and most potent rocket. Previous tests have showcased a mix of successes and setbacks, with each flight contributing to the spacecraft's evolution.
Additional Insights
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ aerospace venture, launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit, albeit failing to recover the reusable booster stage. Blue Origin and SpaceX have been in competition for government contracts, including NASA’s Artemis V lunar mission. Both companies are vying to develop cargo versions of NASA’s crewed human landing systems.
