SpaceX completed the sixth test of Starship, the largest space rocket ever built, successfully, under the watchful eye of the aerospace company’s CEO, Elon Musk, and the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump.
The rocket, the largest built to date, landed over the Indian Ocean around 5:00 p.m. local time, one hour after its launch from Starbase, the base located in Boca Chica, near the border with Mexico.
Unlike the fifth launch, this time SpaceX engineers decided not to try to recover the ship’s booster rocket – known in English as ‘Super Heavy’ – but instead dropped it into the Gulf of Mexico.
The company’s engineers have not yet explained why this difference occurred between this launch and the previous one, and in the images broadcast live it was observed how the propellant slowly fell onto the ocean, causing a cloud of smoke when it hit the water.
In the fifth test mission, carried out on October 13, The ‘Super Heavy’ was captured on a platform, with the help of a crane called ‘chopsticks’ to facilitate its descent.
The Starship wants to become the first private service to reach the Moon and Mars and establish permanent presences and colonies on those planets, a vision considered viable by Musk.
If NASA certifications are achieved, Starship will be part of the Artemis III mission, the first in more than half a century that will return a crew to the lunar surface and which is scheduled for 2026.
Several environmental groups have criticized the launches of the Starship from Bocachica, like SpaceX activity in the region, given the proximity to a national park and wildlife refuge where several endangered species live.
In July of this year, a handful of environmental organizations called on the federal government to ban SpaceX rocket launches and accused federal agencies of failing to adequately evaluate the environmental impact of Musk’s company.
The billionaire, who gave financial and political support to the candidacy of future President Trump, He has positioned himself against the Government’s regulatory agencies and will lead an initiative – commissioned by the Republican – to end federal “bureaucracy.”
Interview between Time.news Editor and Space Exploration Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview session. Today, we have with us Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert in aerospace engineering and space exploration. Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. SpaceX has just completed its sixth test of the Starship rocket, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. As the largest space vehicle ever built, what does this achievement mean for the future of space travel?
Dr. Carter: This accomplishment is monumental. Starship represents a new era in space transportation, capable of carrying massive payloads to various destinations, including Mars. It opens up possibilities not just for scientific exploration but also for commercial opportunities in space tourism and resource extraction.
Editor: Indeed, it’s astonishing to think about what could come next. This test was witnessed by high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. How do you think the involvement of such influential individuals impacts public perception and the future of space exploration initiatives?
Dr. Carter: Public interest in space exploration can be significantly influenced by high-profile endorsements. Their presence can galvanize support and funding, making space initiatives more visible in the political and economic arenas. It can also inspire a new generation to consider careers in STEM fields.
Editor: In this sixth test, SpaceX chose to drop its booster rocket, ‘Super Heavy,’ into the Gulf of Mexico instead of recovering it like they did in the previous test. What could be the reasoning behind this decision?
Dr. Carter: There could be multiple factors influencing this choice. Recovering the booster successfully can be technically challenging and costly, so dropping it might have been a decision made to simplify logistics or even to gather data on potential recovery enhancements. The test data collected during the drop could still yield vital insights for future missions.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. With the drop leading to the creation of a smoke cloud upon impact, what does that tell us about the test’s success and the engineering behind these rockets?
Dr. Carter: The presence of a smoke cloud could be indicative of the booster’s materials and design absorbing the impact—this is a normal result when landing large objects in water. Engineers will analyze this data to understand the effects of ocean impact on the booster, which can inform improvements for future rocket designs.
Editor: Looking ahead, what do you believe the implications of these tests will be on international space travel and collaboration?
Dr. Carter: As technologies like Starship mature, we may see increased collaboration between nations in the pursuit of exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These developments could establish shared off-world infrastructure, encourage international missions, and even address global challenges like space debris management.
Editor: Dr. Carter, what should the public be paying attention to in the coming months as SpaceX progresses with its Starship tests?
Dr. Carter: Keep an eye on upcoming test launches and engineering developments. Each test is progressively building towards a significant objective—crewed spaceflight and interplanetary missions. Public interest and support will play a vital role in accelerating these ambitious projects.
Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Carter! It’s an exciting time for space exploration, and we look forward to seeing where this journey leads us.
Dr. Carter: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss these developments, and I share your excitement for what lies ahead in space exploration.