SpaceX recently conducted its 6th test flight, aiming to maintain momentum in the development of its Starship rocket. The launch took place from SpaceX’s commercial Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, with no crew on board. The spacecraft successfully reached space, circled halfway around the Earth, re-entered the atmosphere, and landed in the Indian Ocean.
Although SpaceX intended to return the rocket’s “super-heavy” booster for a capture attempt, it instead splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico after not meeting the criteria. The test flight included various features like reigniting the engines in space and testing new elements of the heat shield.
The most recent launch marked the first daytime landing in the Indian Ocean for Starship. VIP executives, including CEO Elon Musk, were present at the event, as well as VIP attendees like former president Donald Trump.
Exceeding Limits
Since April 2023, SpaceX has flown the complete Starship rocket system in six spaceflight tests, with the frequency steadily increasing. The company has received authorization for a sixth flight after the success of the previous tests.
The Starship system is designed to be reusable and is pivotal in NASA’s plans, including returning astronauts to the moon. The rocket, with its Super Heavy booster, stands at 397 feet tall and is the most powerful ever launched.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
