The unmanned rocket underwent its third test flight, but SpaceX experienced a loss of the Starship during reentry over the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX achieved another milestone in space exploration as it successfully launched its Super Heavy-Starship rocket on its third test flight. The launch, which took place on Thursday morning, marked a significant step forward in the development of the powerful spacecraft.
During the test flight, the rocket successfully boosted the unpiloted upper stage into space on a sub-orbital hop. Live video captured the re-entry of the spacecraft over the Indian Ocean, showcasing the intense heat experienced by its insulation tiles, reaching temperatures higher than 2,500 degrees.
Although telemetry was lost at an altitude of about 40 miles, indicating a breakup before the rocket-powered descent could be completed, SpaceX described the day as “phenomenal.”
The liftoff time of the rocket was precisely 9:25 a.m. EDT. Powered by 33 Raptor engines, the rocket gulped an astonishing 40,000 pounds of liquid oxygen and methane propellants per second.
Notably, the test flight featured modifications such as “hot staging,” where the Starship’s six engines ignited while still attached to the Super Heavy booster. Despite the telemetry loss and the Super Heavy booster’s failed landing burn, the Starship stage achieved a flawless climb to space and transmitted breathtaking views of Earth’s limb.
SpaceX has made significant improvements following previous test flight failures, including beefing up the self-destruct system and enhancing engine performance. The primary goals of the test flight were to boost the Starship into space for a sub-orbital test flight, high-speed re-entry, and controlled landings by both stages.
The Super Heavy-Starship rocket, designed for NASA’s Artemis moon program, stands as the largest rocket ever built, generating more than 16 million pounds of thrust. SpaceX aims to utilize the Starship for various missions, including long-duration interplanetary flights, satellite delivery, moon base development, and point-to-point transport on Earth.
Despite experiencing telemetry loss during re-entry and previous test flights’ self-destruct conflagrations, SpaceX remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. With each successful test flight, SpaceX inches closer to achieving its ambitious goals and opening new frontiers in space travel.