SpaceX experienced setbacks during the second test flight of its mega rocket Starship as both the booster and the spacecraft were lost in explosions minutes after liftoff from South Texas.
The rocketship was able to reach space before communication was suddenly lost, and SpaceX officials suspect that the ship’s self-destruct system caused it to blow up over the Gulf of Mexico. Minutes earlier, the separated booster also exploded over the gulf.
The demo, which lasted about eight minutes, was longer than the first test in April, but it also ended in an explosion. The ship’s six engines were almost done firing when the latest flight came to an end, putting it on an around-the-world path.
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.
SpaceX commentator John Insprucker noted the successful liftoff and the firing of all 33 booster engines as designed, unlike the previous test. The booster also separated seamlessly from the spaceship, which reached an altitude of 92 miles (148 kilometers).
SpaceX founder Elon Musk watched the test from behind launch controllers at the southern tip of Texas, and SpaceX employees at company headquarters in Hawthorne, California, cheered as Starship soared before it was destroyed.
SpaceX had made numerous improvements to the rocket and the launch pad following April’s flight demo, with the Federal Aviation Administration clearing the rocket for flight after confirming safety and environmental concerns had been addressed.
After the launch, the FAA reported no injuries or public damage and stated that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the failure.
NASA is relying on Starship to land astronauts on the moon by the end of 2025 or shortly thereafter, with the space agency awarding SpaceX a $3 billion contract for this purpose.
Starship, at 34 feet (10 meters) taller than NASA’s Saturn V rocket, is expected to play a crucial role in future space missions, including satellite launches and missions to the moon and Mars once it is proven.
In conclusion, while the failure of the test flight is disappointing, it is a reminder of the risks and challenges associated with space exploration. SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to develop and improve the Starship highlight the perseverance and innovation required to push the boundaries of human spaceflight.
