SpaceX’s spacecraft demonstrated its staying capability on Thursday, flying longer than ever in its dizzying return to Earth and even making a key turn and landing before touching water.
After the test, no injuries or material damage were discovered due to falling debris.
Starship, a 400-foot-tall super-heavy rocket and spacecraft, lifted off at 7:50 a. m. CT from SpaceX’s personal launch pad in South Texas. The verification flight of the fourth rocket system, streamed on the company’s online page and on X, the social platform acquired through the company’s billionaire founder, Elon Musk.
“It’s safe to say it’s a little outclassed, but that’s general on a test flight,” Kate Tice, SpaceX’s head of quality systems engineering, said of Starsend’s descent. “We’re still learning how to upgrade shipping for overall survival and recovery from high-temperature reentry. “
The test comes a day after Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft flew two NASA astronauts into space on its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station. The former airline’s launch was four years older than that of SpaceX’s competing Crew Dragon capsule, perhaps giving the American public a new appreciation of SpaceX’s taste and technical prowess.
Starsend’s one-hour test showed abundant progress, achieving many goals despite the environment hitting the shipment before landing. The company has been criticized for its failures in previous tests. Its executives insist that construction be fast, break expensive things and learn from mistakes. they are all components of SpaceX’s philosophy, in stark contrast to NASA’s slower pace.
“Flight checks like today’s are the fastest way for us to check the functions of the Starship in particular. The Starship flying today has already noticed a number of tweaks based on what we learned at the third flight control in March, which was only two and a part years ago and part a month ago,” Tice said. Development is progressing on a very temporary basis here at SpaceX. “
The main objectives of Thursday’s test were for the spacecraft to reach maximum heat to re-enter the Earth’s environment and practice maneuvers to recover the Super Heavy booster. SpaceX has incorporated a procedure called hot-stage, which involves restarting the engines while the spacecraft is still connected to a partially illuminated booster and then returning the booster for a splashdown.
About nine minutes into the flight, SpaceX crews erupted in screams and applause as the booster effectively ended its operation, plunging into the Gulf of Mexico. It was the first time the booster had landed in new water.
The spacecraft then navigated for about 40 minutes in an area at an altitude of 130 miles above Earth before attempting a controlled re-entry. However, the craft managed to turn around and began burning the engine before landing in the Indian Ocean, according to SpaceX data. The perspectives of the cameras were interrupted during the descent.
A torrent of debris fell from the vehicle, which gave the impression of being engulfed in flames, and the lens even shattered in the process. It is not yet known which component of the vessel was intact at the time it hit the water.
Overall, the test demonstrated a vast improvement over the third flight on March 14, when excessive heat caused by air friction destroyed the spacecraft as it began its return to Earth.
NASA will rely on Musk’s rocket company to send astronauts to the lunar surface aboard a spacecraft replaced for the Artemis III and IV lunar missions in a $4. 2 billion contract. To do this, SpaceX will first have to learn how to refuel its spacecraft after it has already left the planet.
Three months ago, SpaceX flight controllers monitored the movement of several tons of liquid oxygen between the Starship’s tanks. The demonstration was an initial test of the thruster’s movements into space. In a press release, the company said the March demonstration was “successful,” but did not specify how much fuel it is capable of moving.
To cover the rest of the quarter-million-kilometer journey to the moon, Starship would have to fill up its tank. SpaceX plans to send oil versions of Starship into low-Earth orbit, a kind of space fuel station. The passenger edition of The Starship will dock on a tanker for refueling.
NASA is pleased with the outcome of Starship’s flight on Thursday.
“Congratulations @SpaceX on the success of Starship’s test flight this morning!” said Administrator Bill Nelson at X. “We have taken a step towards humanity’s return to the Moon thanks to #Artemis and then to Mars. “
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate any anomalies that occurred during the test and then identify any adjustments SpaceX may wish to make before it can fly Starship again.
Elisha Sauers writes about the area for Mashable, delves into NASA’s missions to the Moon and Mars, chats with astronauts and ancient discoverers, and soars above the clouds. Over the course of 17 years of reporting, he has covered a variety of topics, adding health, business, and government, with a penchant for public document requests. In the past he painted for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, and The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. His paintings have won state awards, the Virginia Press added, the association’s highest honor, Best in Show and national popularity for storytelling. For each year he has covered the area, Sauers has won the National Headliner Awards, adding the first position for his series Sex in Space. Send tips on the storytelling area and concepts to [email protected] or text 443-684-2489. Follow it in X to @elishasauers.