Tag Archives: recovered

Starship rocket lost by SpaceX in test flight, but booster successfully recovered

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SpaceX conducted the seventh test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday but lost contact with the rocket’s upper stage as it continued into space.

The company’s webcast revealed that Starship ceased transmitting data about nine minutes after liftoff.

“We have certainly lost the ship,” stated Kate Tice, SpaceX’s senior manager of quality systems engineering.

According to SpaceX’s statement on X.com, the ship disintegrated during its ascent burn, and the company will analyze the flight test data to determine the cause.

Following the loss of contact, social media users shared photos and videos depicting a fireball near the Caribbean islands. The trajectory of Starship’s launch indicated that the fireball was likely debris from the rocket re-entering the atmosphere.

Starship took off from SpaceX’s commercial Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, around 5:30 p.m. ET, and the rocket’s “super heavy” booster successfully returned to the launch site. This marked the second successful booster catch during a flight, unlike the previous flight.

No crew members were on board the Starship flight, but Elon Musk intended to carry 10 “Starlink simulators” in the rocket’s payload bay to deploy satellite-like objects into space. This test is crucial for SpaceX to launch the next generation of larger and heavier Starlink satellites.

The Starlink simulator’s composition remains undisclosed, but it is likely a mass simulator commonly used in rocket development. Starship was scheduled to reach space, circle the Earth, and splash down in the Indian Ocean before losing contact.

SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of rocket technology with each Starship flight, aiming to assess features like thermal tiles and reentry trajectories.

Valued at $350 billion, Starship stands as the most powerful and tallest rocket to date, dominating the space industry with its numerous successful tests.

SpaceX’s Starship rocket system comprises the towering 403-foot Starship stacked atop the 232-foot superheavy booster, powered by the collective force of 33 Raptor engines generating 16.7 million pounds of thrust.

Starship utilizes liquid oxygen and liquid methane, requiring over 10 million pounds of propellant for launch. The current launch marked Ship 33, representing the enhanced “Block 2” version with significant upgrades.

This flight trial included a booster powered by a reused Raptor engine from its fifth test flight, contributing to SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable system for cargo and crew missions beyond Earth.

Moreover, Starship plays a vital role in NASA’s plans for lunar exploration, with SpaceX awarded a contract as part of NASA’s Artemis program to utilize Starship as a manned lunar lander to return astronauts to the moon.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

‘Recovered Addict Challenges TikTok’s Gambling Influencers in David vs. Goliath Battle’

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While in a bathroom in Paris, Rob Minnick realized he needed help. He had flown 3,700 miles to explore the French capital, but kept disappearing every 10 to 15 minutes.

“People probably thought I had a severe stomach issue,” he recalled of his February 2022 trip. However, it wasn’t his stomach that was the problem – Minnick had developed a gambling addiction.

He found himself constantly searching for quick wins on his phone, dabbling in sports betting, slot-style games, blackjack, and roulette.

After returning home to New Jersey, attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and abstaining from gambling for eight months, Minnick relapsed in November 2022. This led to him spending 12 hours in a casino, resulting in six months of debt repayment.

At 23 years old, broke, and in desperate need of assistance, Minnick surrendered control of his bank accounts to his family and returned to GA meetings, a common path for gambling addicts. However, he ultimately discovered a different route to recovery.

Just four months after his last bet, while in a drive-thru at Dunkin’ Donuts, Minnick began sharing his insights on gambling odds through TikTok videos under the username rob_odaat.

By narrating his struggles with addiction and discussing the risks of gambling, Minnick hopes to provide a positive message on the issue and hold individuals accountable through both anonymous meetings and online posts.

Despite the surge in gambling popularity in the US, Minnick believes more people are becoming problem gamblers. He acknowledges that the prevalence of gambling addiction discussions falls into two categories, with many influencers promoting gambling predictions and advice.

Minnick posted questions on TikTok as a warning sign of gambling addiction. He feels outnumbered against production companies and influencers glorifying gambling victories and believes mainstream celebrities should speak out about their gambling struggles.

He draws parallels between the opioid epidemic and responsible gambling messaging, stating that the focus should be on the industry rather than individual gamblers. While he acknowledges the efforts of those promoting responsible gambling, he highlights the need for targeted support for at-risk gamblers.

Minnick believes that responsible gambling is important but should not solely benefit the industry and should focus on reaching and aiding individuals at risk of gambling problems.

Source: www.theguardian.com