Tag Archives: debris

NASA Satellite Plummets to Earth: Minimal Risk of Debris Impact

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A decommissioned NASA satellite, **Van Allen Spacecraft A**, launched 14 years ago to study Earth’s radiation belts, is set to crash into Earth on Tuesday.

Weighing in at 1,323 pounds, the spacecraft is predicted to enter the atmosphere around 7:45 p.m. EDT, according to U.S. Space Force forecasts. This will be an uncontrolled re-entry, which means NASA cannot steer the spacecraft; however, they anticipate that most of the satellite will incinerate during its fiery descent through the atmosphere.

As NASA stated, “some components are expected to survive reentry.”

“The risk of harm to anyone on Earth is low, approximately 1 in 4,200,” according to NASA. “NASA and the Space Force will continue to monitor the reentry.” For the latest updates, visit this forecast.

Deactivated satellites, spent rocket stages, and space debris re-enter Earth’s atmosphere regularly. In fact, such objects make uncontrolled descents nearly every day, as reported by the European Space Agency.

Typically, hardware burns up harmlessly upon re-entry, but some parts may survive. Fortunately, with oceans covering approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface, the chances of space debris landing on populated areas are minimal.

Accurately predicting the time and location of an uncontrolled spacecraft’s re-entry is challenging due to various factors, including atmospheric dynamics, space weather, and the spacecraft’s descent trajectory. The Space Force projects a re-entry window for Van Allen A with a margin of error of plus or minus 24 hours.

Van Allen Spacecraft A was launched on August 30, 2012, alongside its twin, Van Allen Spacecraft B. Both probes were designed to investigate a ring of high-energy radiation particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field, known as the Van Allen radiation belts.

Three donut-shaped radiation belts around Earth.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

The Van Allen belts are crucial for protecting Earth from solar storms, cosmic radiation, and charged particles from the solar wind. Without these belts, satellites could be damaged, human health could be jeopardized, and power grids on Earth could face disruptions. However, astronauts must navigate through the Van Allen belts to reach space, exposing them to potentially harmful radiation.

NASA’s Van Allen Probes A and B were instrumental in advancing our understanding of these radiation belts. The mission led to numerous discoveries about the radiation belts, including the identification of a temporary third radiation belt formed during intense solar activity.

These twin spacecraft continued their mission until 2019 when they exhausted their fuel. NASA subsequently concluded the mission, leaving the probes in orbit.

Initially, NASA projected that the spacecraft would re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in 2034. However, increased solar activity has recently intensified atmospheric drag on both probes, accelerating their descent. As solar activity rises, denser atmospheric layers can slow down satellites, complicating their orbits.

Van Allen Spacecraft B is anticipated to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere by 2030.

These re-entries shed light on the growing issue of space debris, especially as the frequency of launches rises. Tens of thousands of pieces of space junk, along with millions of tiny orbital debris, clutter low-Earth orbit, the zone where many telecommunications and GPS satellites operate.

Debris fragments can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 miles per hour, posing safety risks to functioning spacecraft and astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Extremophile Bacteria: Potential Hitchhikers on Asteroid Debris

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Recent research highlights an extraordinary extremophile organism, Deinococcus radiodurans, known for its remarkable resilience. This unique microbe can endure the harsh conditions of radiation, frigid temperatures, and arid environments typically encountered during interplanetary transport. New findings suggest that Deinococcus radiodurans also possesses outstanding resistance to the extreme transient pressures generated by impact ejection from Mars. Consequently, this raises the possibility that such resilient life forms could traverse between planets in our solar system following a significant asteroid impact.

Artist’s impression of an asteroid. Image credit: Mark A. Garlick, Space-art.co.uk / University of Warwick / University of Cambridge.

Impact craters are prevalent on the surfaces of numerous celestial bodies, with the Moon and Mars being among the most cratered.

Scientific findings indicate that asteroid impacts can propel materials across space, as evidenced by the discovery of a Martian meteorite on Earth.

Furthermore, researchers have long speculated that asteroids could also launch microscopic life forms into space.

This theory, known as the lithopanspermia hypothesis, suggests that life could be ejected into space and potentially land on other planets.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Johns Hopkins University, led by Kariat (KT) Ramesh, simulated conditions under which microbes like Deinococcus radiodurans could be expelled into space due to an impact force.

The researchers placed the bacteria between two steel plates and applied pressure with a third plate, demonstrating that these microbes can withstand pressures of up to 3 GPa (30,000 times Earth’s atmospheric pressure).

By analyzing gene expression, they were able to observe biological stress responses within the bacteria under varying pressures.

While samples subjected to 2.4 GPa started to exhibit membrane damage, the unique structure of the bacterial cell envelope accounts for a survival rate of 60% among the microorganisms.

The transcriptional profiles indicated that these resilient bacteria prioritize repairing cellular damage in the aftermath of an impact.

Deinococcus radiodurans. Image credit: USU/Michael Daly.” width=”580″ height=”389″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2024/12/image_13511-Deinococcus-radiodurans.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2024/12/image_13511-Deinococcus-radiodurans-300×201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2024/12/image_13511-Deinococcus-radiodurans-84×55.jpg 84w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

Deinococcus radiodurans. Image credit: USU/Michael Daly.

“While we have yet to confirm the existence of life on Mars, if it exists, it likely shares similar survival capabilities,” Ramesh remarked.

“This study suggests that life could endure being ejected from one planet and travel to another.”

“These findings significantly alter our understanding of the origins of life on Earth,” remarked Dr. Lily Chao, also from Johns Hopkins University.

“Our research indicates that life can survive massive impacts and eruptions, implying that life may travel between planets. Perhaps we are all Martians!”

These findings were published in this week’s edition of PNAS Nexus. For detailed insights, refer to the study.

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Lily Chao et al. 2026. Extremophiles can withstand temporary pressures associated with impact ejection from Mars. PNAS Nexus 5(3):pgag018; doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag018.

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Environmental Impact of Space Debris: Air Pollution Concerns on the Rise

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Falcon 9 Upper Stage Re-entry

An incredible 30-second exposure captures the Falcon 9 upper stage re-entering the atmosphere over Berlin, Germany, on February 19, 2025.

Photo by Gerd Baumgarten

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited a plume of vaporized metal as it re-entered the atmosphere, raising concerns about atmospheric pollution across Europe. This type of contamination is expected to surge as the number of spacecraft and satellites continues to grow.

The Falcon 9’s upper stage, intended for recovery in the Pacific Ocean, suffered an engine failure that led to its uncontrolled descent over the North Atlantic on February 19, 2025.

Witnesses throughout Europe observed fiery debris streaking across the sky, with some fragments landing behind warehouses in Poland. Researchers from Germany’s Leibniz Institute for Atmospheric Physics employed lidar technology to monitor the atmosphere. They noted a tenfold increase in lithium concentration— a significant component of the rocket’s structure— twenty hours after the re-entry event.

Using atmospheric models, researchers concluded that the lithium plume drifted approximately 1,600 kilometers from the re-entry site. This investigation represents the first instance of tracking high-altitude contamination resulting from a specific spacecraft re-entry.

According to Wing, small metal particles could catalyze ozone depletion, create clouds in the stratosphere and mesosphere, and interfere with sunlight’s passage through the atmosphere. “However, this field remains largely underexplored.”

As commercial space launches surge and companies expand their satellite constellations, such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, concerns regarding contamination are becoming more pronounced. Currently, around 14,500 satellites orbit Earth, and SpaceX recently applied to deploy an additional 1 million satellites to support Elon Musk’s vision of creating orbiting data centers for artificial intelligence.

To mitigate a potential cycle of collisions that could generate more space debris, satellites are often permitted to deorbit and burn up at the end of their operational lives. Experts warn that space debris could increase by fiftyfold over the next decade, potentially contributing to more than 40% of the mass currently entering the atmosphere from meteorites.

There is a common misconception that space debris simply burns up and disappears in the atmosphere. According to Daniel Cizzo of Purdue University, who did not partake in this study, “We need to be cautious and thoroughly analyze the potential impacts of this material.”

The Falcon 9’s plume is estimated to contain around 30 kilograms of lithium. However, given the alloy composition of the rocket’s hull, it likely contained significantly more aluminum.

When evaporated aluminum interacts with atmospheric oxygen, it forms aluminum oxide particles, which serve as surfaces for chlorine compounds to decompose more easily. The chlorine radicals generated through this process react with and deplete ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

Researchers estimate that the burnout of spacecraft releases approximately 1,000 tons of aluminum oxide into the atmosphere annually, a figure that continues to rise. This exacerbation could extend the ozone hole in the Southern Hemisphere, which has been shrinking as nations phase out ozone-depleting gases. The loss of ozone allows more harmful ultraviolet rays to penetrate, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

“In terms of metals, we are entering a new paradigm where anthropogenic pollution increasingly influences the upper atmosphere, overshadowing natural sources,” says Eloise Marais from University College London. “Space debris risks reversing the progress made in healing the ozone hole.”

Metal oxide particles also function as nuclei for water vapor to coalesce into droplets, potentially leading to the formation of cirrus clouds that trap heat in the upper troposphere.

Scientists have detected particles from a burned-out spacecraft within cirrus clouds. While the effect on global warming is currently considered minor compared to greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, it could still pose increased risks.

“Substantial evidence indicates that this substance may adversely affect the atmosphere. It is now our responsibility as scientists to assess whether these effects are occurring and the degree of their negativity,” Cizzo stated.

Potential solutions include constructing satellites from wood-like materials—though these may emit black carbon soot upon re-entry—or relocating satellites to high-altitude “graveyard orbits.”

“You must take a moment to consider your intentions before proceeding,” Wing advises. “This rapid growth in satellite launches poses questions that remain unanswered.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

ALMA Achieves Best-Ever Image of Exoplanet Debris Disk

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Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), astronomers have unveiled stunning high-resolution images of 24 debris disks—dusty remnants that form after planetary systems complete their formation—showcasing the intricate transitional stages between the birth of planets and fully developed exoplanetary systems.

The ARKS gallery of faint debris disks reveals intricate shapes, including belts with multiple rings and sharp edges. Amber highlights the abundance of dust, while blue indicates carbon monoxide in gas-rich disks. Image credit: Sebastian Marino / Sorcha Mac Manamon / ARKS collaboration.

Young and mature planetary systems feature faint dust belts known as debris disks.

These disks are believed to result from collisions between large planetesimals, given dust’s brief lifespan against radiation and collisions.

Debris disks serve as the extrasolar equivalents of asteroids and the Kuiper Belt in our solar system.

With ages spanning from tens of millions to thousands of years, they offer a unique view into the final assembly of planetary systems.

Furthermore, they enable us to draw connections between protoplanetary disk structures and known mature exoplanetary populations.

Debris disks are significantly darker, appearing hundreds or thousands of times fainter than the luminous, gas-rich disks where planets are born.

Meredith Hughes, an astronomer at Wesleyan University, and her team have surmounted these challenges to produce the most detailed images to date of these disks.

Utilizing ALMA, they captured high-resolution images of 24 debris disks surrounding other stars.

This observation contributes to the ALMA survey aimed at resolving the Outer Kuiper Belt Substructure (ARKS).

“While we’ve often glimpsed ‘baby pictures’ of planet formation, the ‘teenage’ phase has remained elusive,” says Hughes.

Dr. Sebastian Marino, an astronomer at the University of Exeter, noted: “We’re observing genuine diversity—not just simple rings, but multi-ring belts and pronounced asymmetries, illustrating a dynamic and tumultuous phase in planetary history.”

ARKS stands as the largest and highest resolution survey of debris disks, akin to DSHARP, setting a new gold standard in the field.

Approximately one-third of the studied disks display distinct substructures, such as multiple rings and noticeable gaps, suggesting features left over from early planetary formation or shaped by planets over extended timescales.

Some disks retain the complex structure from earlier stages, while others have deteriorated into broad, smooth bands akin to the expected development of our solar system.

Many disks exhibit zones of tranquility and chaos, with vertically raised areas resembling unique objects in our solar system, blending classical Kuiper Belt objects with those disturbed by Neptune’s past migrations.

Some disks maintain gas longer than anticipated. In certain star systems, residual gas can influence the chemistry of developing planets or encourage dust to form extensive halos.

Numerous disks feature bright arcs or eccentric configurations, indicating gravitational effects from unseen exoplanets, scars left by planetary migration, or interactions between gas and dust.

Dr. Luca Matra, an astronomer at Trinity College, Dublin, remarked: “These disks encapsulate a period when planetary orbits were disrupted, akin to the massive impacts that shaped our early solar system.”

“By examining dozens of disks around stars of varying ages and types, ARKS aims to determine if their chaotic features are inherited, influenced by planets, or derived from other cosmic forces.”

“Understanding these nuances may shed light on whether our solar system’s history is unique or part of a common pattern.”

For more on this result, see the latest issue of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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S. Marino et al. 2026. ALMA surveys to resolve the ExoKuiper belt substructure (ARKS). I. Motivation, sample, data reduction, and results overview. A&A 705, A195; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202556489

Source: www.sci.news

Ultrasound Could Enhance Stroke Survival by Clearing Brain Debris

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Ultrasound can penetrate the skull and reach the brain

Shutterstock/peterschreiber.media

Recent research suggests that pulsed ultrasound waves directed at the brain may enhance survival rates following a specific stroke type by promoting the removal of inflammatory dead blood cells, based on findings from a study involving mice. This technique, which boosts lymphatic drainage efficiency, could also have applications for treating Alzheimer’s disease, with clinical trials anticipated to commence next year.

Hemorrhagic stroke, constitutes around 15% of all strokes and occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding, disrupting oxygen supply to the brain, and causing cellular damage, which can result in motor and cognitive issues.

Treatments typically involve sealing the ruptured blood vessel with small metal clips and extracting dead red blood cells via a catheter or similar device. Neglecting this procedure can exacerbate inflammation and lead to further tissue damage. However, this method is highly invasive, posing risks of brain damage and infections, as noted by Larg Airan at Stanford University, California.

After an unexpected experience with prolonged ultrasound application during drug activation in mouse brains, Aylan considered whether pulsed ultrasound could be effective in removing the “debris” from the brain. “When I observed the drug’s effects, it appeared to spread throughout the brain, almost as if it were being ‘painted’ over,” he recounted.

To probe this idea, the research team simulated a hemorrhagic stroke by injecting mice with blood from their tails. For three consecutive days, they administered pulsed ultrasound to the skulls of half the mice for 10 minutes each day, while the others received no treatment.

Subsequently, all mice underwent a three-minute test in a water tank divided into four corners, with healthy mice typically turning in either direction 50% of the time. The team discovered that mice treated with ultrasound turned left 39% of the time, compared to 27% for the control group. Additionally, treated mice exhibited stronger grips on a metal bar than their untreated counterparts, indicating they suffered less brain damage, a conclusion that was later substantiated through brain slice analyses conducted post-euthanasia.

One week following the blood injection, around half of the control group mice perished, compared to only one-fifth of the ultrasound-treated group. A rapid increase in survival rates was noted, with an approximately 30 percentage point improvement achieved through just three 10-minute ultrasound treatments, according to Airan.

Further insights revealed that the ultrasound pulses triggered pressure-sensitive proteins in microglia, the brain’s immune cells, reducing their inflammation and enhancing their ability to clear dead red blood cells. Additionally, this technique improved the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, facilitating the removal of dead cells to lymph nodes in the neck, which are part of the lymphatic system responsible for eliminating metabolic waste.

While more investigations are necessary, this method might also have the potential to address various brain disorders. “If ultrasound can efficiently remove larger red blood cells from the brain, it stands to reason it could also eliminate smaller toxic proteins, such as the misfolded tau associated with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases,” Aylan explained.

Experts are impressed with this promising research due to its non-invasive nature. Kathleen Caron from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill noted that the lymphatic systems in mice and humans show considerable similarities, indicating this approach could be applicable in human cases as well.

The use of ultrasonic irradiation is considered safe, and while research is ongoing to confirm these findings, Aylan is optimistic about the lack of unforeseen side effects from this treatment.

Ultimately, the research team aspires to test this technique on individuals suffering from hemorrhagic strokes that necessitate urgent intervention. They aim to gather additional data on its safety and efficacy for Alzheimer’s patients, with trials projected to begin next year, according to Aylan.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Significant Find: Potential Space Debris Unearthed in the Australian Desert

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A significant piece of what seems to be space debris has been found in a secluded area of the Australian desert, as confirmed by the nation’s space agency on Monday.

The burnt, smoldering object was located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, according to the Australian Space Agency. While its exact nature and origin remain unclear, officials suspect it is likely a decommissioned rocket component.

The Australian Space Agency stated, “The debris is probably a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a launch vehicle.” This was mentioned in a post on X.

Details regarding the size or weight of the object were not disclosed, but the agency is collaborating with local authorities and other space organizations to investigate and ascertain “the precise nature of the debris and its origin.”

NBC News reached out for additional information, but the agency did not respond immediately.

Workers from a nearby mine stumbled upon the object on Saturday along a remote access road. As reported by Sky News, local officials do not believe the debris poses any risk to public safety. NBC News has yet to verify these details independently. (Sky News is a division of Comcast, the parent organization of NBC News.)

Various government space agencies and private companies frequently incinerate malfunctioning rocket parts or satellites in the atmosphere as a method of disposal. However, some debris can withstand the intense conditions of reentry. Despite this, it’s relatively uncommon for space debris to land on land, and even rarer for it to fall in populated regions, given that much of Earth is ocean.

Recently, however, experts have voiced concerns regarding the escalating issue of space debris, particularly with the increase in orbital launches.

Last summer, a 90-pound piece of space debris was found on a hiking trail in North Carolina and was later identified as part of the service module of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which returned four astronauts to Earth from the International Space Station earlier that year.

In March 2024, a 1.6-pound metal fragment crashed through a home in Naples, Florida. Follow-up investigations determined that the debris originated from a cargo pallet that was released from the International Space Station to burn up in the atmosphere.

There are tens of thousands of pieces of space junk, along with millions of smaller fragments, cluttering Earth’s low orbit, the critical area where many telecommunications and GPS satellites operate. These objects can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 miles per hour, jeopardizing spacecraft functionality and endangering astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Due to these concerns, experts have long cautioned against the overcrowding of space. NASA and other space agencies are investing in research and technology demonstrations aimed at cleaning up substantial amounts of debris in orbit.

The Australian Space Agency reiterated its commitment in a statement to the long-term sustainability of space activities, which includes debris mitigation, and continues to advocate for this issue on the international stage.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb Discovers Crystallized Water Ice in Debris Disks Surrounding Young Sun-Like Stars

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Water ice plays a crucial role in the formation of giant planets and can also be delivered by comets to fully developed rocky planets. Utilizing data from the Near-infrared spectrometer (NIRSPEC), which is part of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have identified crystallized ice on a dusty fragment disk surrounding HD 181327.

Artist impression of a debris disk around the sun-like star HD 181327. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/RALF CRAWFORD, STSCI.

HD 181327 is a young main sequence star located approximately 169 light years away in the constellation Pictor.

Also referred to as TYC 8765-638-1 and WISE J192258.97-543217.8, the star is about 23 million years old and roughly 30% larger than the Sun.

Astronomer Chen Zai and a team at Johns Hopkins University utilized Webb’s NIRSPEC instrument to study HD 181327.

“The HD 181327 system is highly dynamic,” Dr. Xie noted.

“There are ongoing collisions occurring within the debris disk.”

“When these icy bodies collide, they release tiny particles of dusty water ice, which are ideally sized for Webb to detect.”

Webb’s observations reveal a significant gap between the star and its surrounding debris disk, indicating a considerable area devoid of dust.

Moreover, the structure of the fragment disk is reminiscent of the Kuiper Belt within our Solar System, where we find dwarf planets, comets, and various icy and rocky bodies that may also collide.

Billions of years ago, the Kuiper Belt in our own Solar System could have resembled the HD 181327 debris disk.

“Webb clearly detected crystallized water ice not only present in the debris disk but also in places like Saturn’s rings and the icy bodies of the Kuiper Belt,” Dr. Xie stated.

The water ice is not uniformly distributed across the HD 181327 system.

The majority is found in the coldest and most distant regions from the star.

“The area beyond the debris disk contains over 20% water ice,” Dr. Xie explained.

Near the center of the debris disk, Webb detected approximately 8% water ice.

In this region, frozen water particles may form slightly faster than they are destroyed.

Closest to the star, Webb’s detection was minimal.

Ultraviolet radiation from the star can evaporate the nearby water ice deposits.

It is also possible that the interiors contain rocky bodies, referred to as planets, which are “confined” such that their frozen water remains undetectable by Webb.

“The presence of ice facilitates planetary formation,” said Dr. Xie.

“Icy materials can ultimately contribute to the delivery of resources to terrestrial planets that may form over hundreds of millions of years in such systems.”

Survey results were published in the May 14, 2025 issue of the journal Nature.

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C. Xie et al. 2025. Water ice on debris disks around HD181327. Nature 641, 608-611; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08920-4

Source: www.sci.news

Rocket explosion by SpaceX causes flight delays at Florida airport due to debris concerns

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A huge explosion of a SpaceX rocket above South Florida caused major disruptions for an air traveler due to unexpected delays.

The failure of the SpaceX mission led to the FAA grounding air traffic around Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, citing concerns about “space-fired debris.”

“After years of traveling, this is a first,” expressed a Facebook user who goes by the name of Rappeck. Executive Peck was flying to South America but had to divert to Miami.

The flight pilot informed passengers that a space rocket had exploded during flight, causing debris to fall along their path. They reassured the passengers that they were safe but needed to circle back to Miami.

Peck shared, “We eventually had to return to Miami. It’s unbelievable. We’ve faced delays due to weather, mechanical issues, and even unruly passengers, but never because of a rocket explosion.”

Jesse Winans, a traveler en route from Costa Rica to Charlotte, found himself in an unexpected layover in Fort Lauderdale along with other passengers.

“They are trying to manage the situation with customers, but I anticipate a long process to reach our destination,” complained the frustrated traveler to NBC South Florida.

Debris from a SpaceX rocket above the Bahamas on Thursday.
John Ward

SpaceX previously experienced a similar accident in January and has pledged to learn from this latest incident.

The company stated Thursday night in a released statement, “We will analyze data from today’s flight tests to better understand the root causes. Success stems from our learnings, and today’s flights provide more insight to enhance Starship’s reliability.”

Elon Musk summed it up more succinctly with his statement: “Rocket science is hard.”


David K. Lee

Senior Breaking News Reporter

Brian Hamacher of NBC South Florida and Sarah Mahidri contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com