2024-06-06 20:34:34
The fourth “Starship” take a look at was a whole success for SpaceX: This time each rocket levels returned to Earth.
The biggest rocket system ever constructed has accomplished its fourth take a look at flight – and this time virtually every thing went in line with plan. The unmanned “Starship” made it into area and again after launching from the spaceport within the US state of Texas.
The “Starship” spacecraft took off at 2:50 p.m. our time. A take a look at flight lasting round an hour and managed landings of each rocket levels had been deliberate. Nonetheless, one of many 33 so-called Raptor engines didn’t ignite throughout takeoff, however the large rocket nonetheless made it into area.
The primary rocket stage returned to Earth as deliberate after round seven minutes and splashed down within the Gulf of Mexico. The higher stage – the “Starhip” – flew half a circle world wide and landed within the Indian Ocean one hour and 6 minutes after launch.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk wrote on his quick message platform X: Regardless of the lack of many tiles [Hitzeschutzkacheln, die das Raumschiff vor der extremen Hitze beim Wiedereintritt in die Atmosphäre schützen, Anm.d.Red.] and a broken hatch, Starship managed to make a smooth touchdown within the sea”
In a primary take a look at final April, the complete rocket system exploded after only a few minutes. In a second take a look at in November, the 2 rocket levels separated and the higher one continued to fly for some time, however shortly afterwards each exploded individually.
Throughout a 3rd take a look at flight in March, the “Starship” reached area for the primary time, however was additionally unable to finish the flight as deliberate.
The “Starship” consists of the roughly 70-meter-long “Tremendous Heavy” booster and the roughly 50-meter-long higher stage, additionally known as “Starship.” The system is designed in order that the spaceship and rocket may be reused after returning to Earth.
The system, which is round 120 meters lengthy in whole, will be capable to transport nicely over 100 tons of cargo sooner or later. NASA desires to make use of the “Starship” to carry astronauts to the moon. SpaceX boss Musk hopes to at some point attain Mars with the system.
Yesterday, after years of delays, the spacecraft “Starliner” of the US plane producer Boeing set off on its first manned take a look at flight to the area station ISS.
The launch had beforehand been postponed a number of instances as a result of numerous technical issues. Launch makes an attempt had already been aborted twice only a few minutes earlier than the scheduled takeoff, most just lately a number of days in the past.