Starship, the world's most powerful rocket to date, was launched by SpaceX for the second test flight. However, the test appeared to end with an explosive climax in the middle of the flight.
SpaceX's Starship rocket launches from Starbase during its second test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 18, 2023. SpaceX, on November 18, 2023, carried out the second test launch of Starship, the largest rocket ever built that Elon Musk hopes will one day colonize Mars, while NASA awaits a modified version to land humans on the Moon. It comes after a first attempt to fly the spaceship in its fully-stacked configuration back in April ended in a spectacular explosion over the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX's Starship: Second Flight Test
The company lost the spacecraft and the booster during this test flight last Saturday. Starship was able to reach space after being launched from South Texas. However, communication with the craft was suddenly lost. According to SpaceX officials, the self-destruct system of the craft made it explode over the Gulf of Mexico.
Rockets also have a flight termination system as part of standard safety features. This system destroys the craft if a problem surfaces or it goes off its trajectory.
The Starship's intentional destruction shows how the flight test ended prematurely. Initially, SpaceX planned to fly it almost around the Earth before returning to the atmosphere and landing on the Kauai coast.
This explosive end is similar to Starship's first flight test last April, which also ended in a massive blast.
The second flight test ended as the ship's engines were nearly done firing for it to be put on a path around the world.
Around three minutes after the launch, the separated booster burst over the Gulf of Mexico. It had already achieved its purpose when this happened.
Despite its explosive end and failure, this second flight test lasted roughly eight minutes, double the length of the first flight test last April.
John Insprucker, a SpaceX commentator, explains that the successful liftoff was the topic on the cake during that day. Kate Tice, another commentator, also notes that they were able to gather immense quantities of data that could help them with the next flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration will oversee the investigation of the mishap of the flight. This is a standard procedure for regulation that SpaceX must undergo before deploying another Starship craft. Mishap investigations involve the analysis of the reason behind the failed launch, especially when a ship ends up destroyed.
Starship launch live broadcast https://t.co/hRmOPXJ296
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 18, 2023
The Most Powerful Rocket Ever Built
Starship is nearly 121 meters long and is currently the most powerful rocket ever built. The craft represents a transportation system that can be fully reused. It is designed to transport cargo and crew to Earth orbit, Mars, the Moon, and the far space stretches.
The craft is the most powerful launch vehicle in the world that has ever been made. Its reusable load is up to 150 metric tonnes, while its expandable load is 250 metric tonnes.
Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
