Starship's turbulent journey: Third explosive setback tests resolve
On Tuesday, May 28, Starship conducted its ninth test flight. However, Elon Musk's company, which is developing it, has not been on a good streak, as an explosion has occurred for the third consecutive time. Once again, this resulted in spectacular sights in the sky, which did not go unnoticed by numerous observers around the world.
Social media quickly filled with photos and recordings of the event. As usual, Starship launched from the Starbase spaceport in Texas. It successfully ascended and separated. Although it flew further than during previous missions, the planned goals were not achieved.
Starship exploded
During its return to Earth, upon re-entering the atmosphere, Starship disintegrated over the Indian Ocean. The most spectacular recordings were captured in southern African countries.
SpaceX does not intend to give up
Starship is currently the largest rocket in the world. It measures 120 metres in height and 9 metres in diameter. Its test flights aim to reduce the cost of access to low Earth orbit and ultimately accelerate manned missions to the Moon, as part of the Artemis III mission.
This time, SpaceX planned to deploy mock-ups of its Starlink satellites during the flight, which was not achieved. A partial success was that the first stage of the rocket, the Super Heavy booster, landed in the Gulf of Mexico despite engine failures.
SpaceX does not intend to give up. In a statement issued after the third consecutive failed flight, it was noted that more tests are planned.
"Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary," a spokesperson commented.
