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Let's keep this big Starship going! SpaceX does well with using data from failures and a high number of tests. The FAA really slows them down!
Based upon learnings from these first two flights, this next mission, with upgraded hardware and flight software, likely has a reasonable chance of success. Among the milestones SpaceX will seek to complete during this test flight are:
-Nominal first-stage performance, followed by a controlled descent of the Super Heavy booster into the Gulf of Mexico
-Starship separation from the first stage using "hot staging," meaning engine ignition while the first stage is still firing its engines
-Starship reaching an orbital velocity and engine shutdown
-Early-stage testing of in-space refueling technology inside the propellant tanks of Starship
-Controlled splashdown of Starship near the Hawaiian islands after flying around two-thirds of the planet
A leak in the aft section of the spacecraft that developed when the liquid oxygen vent was initiated resulted in a combustion event and subsequent fires that led to a loss of communication between the spacecraft’s flight computers. This resulted in a commanded shut down of all six engines prior to completion of the ascent burn, followed by the Autonomous Flight Safety System detecting a mission rule violation and activating the flight termination system, leading to vehicle breakup. The flight test’s conclusion came when the spacecraft was as at an altitude of ~150 km and a velocity of ~24,000 km/h, becoming the first Starship to reach outer space.
SpaceX has implemented hardware changes on upcoming Starship vehicles to improve leak reduction, fire protection, and refined operations associated with the propellant vent to increase reliability. The previously planned move from a hydraulic steering system for the vehicle’s Raptor engines to an entirely electric system also removes potential sources of flammability.
Well, amazing launch, and the size of that thing rocketing! The launchpad was great also. Lost on re-entry but it made its way halfway across the planet. I'm sure SpaceX got a lot of good info from this.
Apparently the booster might have over-rolled in it's final seconds as well as the final burn was late and/or only one engine fired so it would have hit the ocean both fast and off kilter
Apparently this time the separation was successful but the Super Heavy underwent a rapid unscheduled disassembly shortly thereafter. Baby steps.
More like big jumps. The first one didn't even separate, the second one separated and both Starship and Super Heavy RUDed shortly thereafter, and this one almost made it through reentry. I was in awe watching the hot plasma around Starship as it was reentering.
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