After the largest rocket system ever built exploded during a second test, Elon Musk and his private space company SpaceX remain undeterred.
It was an “exciting” test launch, SpaceX commented via the short message service X, formerly Twitter, which is also owned by Musk. “The success of a test like this depends on what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve the reliability of Starship as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary.”
The “Starship” had previously flown further than before during a second test on Saturday – but then exploded again. The first rocket stage of the unmanned “Starship” exploded during the test on Saturday a few minutes after takeoff from the SpaceX spaceport in the US state of Texas, as live images showed. Shortly afterwards, commentators on the SpaceX live stream announced that it was assumed that the second rocket stage had also exploded.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a “mishap” occurred during the test, resulting in the loss of the missile system. “No injuries or damage to public facilities were reported.” As a matter of routine, the FAA opened an investigation into the incident.
After the test, Musk congratulated the entire SpaceX team via X, as did Bill Nelson, head of the US space agency NASA. “Space travel is a bold adventure that requires a can-do mentality and daring innovation,” Nelson wrote. “Today’s test is a chance to learn – and then fly again. Together, NASA and SpaceX will take humanity back to the Moon, Mars and beyond.”
With a total height of 120 meters, the “Starship” is larger than the Statue of Liberty. It is the most powerful rocket system ever built. During the first test flight in April, a “Starship” exploded shortly after takeoff.
At least a few more milestones were achieved in the second test: a few minutes after launch, the two rocket stages separated, something that had not been successful in the first test. However, the lower rocket stage exploded shortly afterwards for an initially unknown reason and did not land in the Gulf of Mexico as planned.
The upper rocket stage continued to fly for a while and reached an altitude of around 140 kilometers. Then the live stream said that the signal had broken off and it was assumed that the upper rocket stage had also exploded. It initially remained unclear whether the rocket stage exploded on its own and, if so, for what reason, or whether the engineers allowed it to explode automatically for safety reasons. She was actually supposed to land in the Pacific after around an hour and a half.
SpaceX had already announced in advance that this was only a second of many tests to be expected and that it was primarily about collecting data – in keeping with the company’s philosophy: “If nothing goes wrong, there are still opportunities for improvement.” Musk had already classified the first attempt not as a setback, but as an “exciting test start”.
The “Starship” – consisting of the approximately 70 meter long “Super Heavy” booster and the approximately 50 meter long upper stage, also called “Starship” – is intended to enable manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The system is designed so that the spacecraft and rocket can be reused after returning to Earth. In the future, the system will be able to transport well over 100 tons of cargo. NASA wants to take astronauts to the moon with the “Starship”. SpaceX hopes to one day get to Mars.
/cah/DP/jha
BROWNSVILLE (dpa-AFX)