SpaceX new rocket in space/ The second test ends with an explosion

2023-11-18 20:45:05, Tech CNA

The company SpaceX launched its giant Starship rocket, but during the first minutes of the flight, the propulsion device and the spaceship itself were damaged by explosions.

The rocket arrived in space after taking off from southern Texas and then suddenly lost communication with Earth. According to SpaceX company officials, it appears that the self-destruct system exploded over the Gulf of Mexico.

A few minutes later, the propellant also exploded. However, by that point the main function of the test mission had been completed.

Saturday's test lasted about eight minutes, nearly twice as long as the first test in April, which also ended in an explosion. The final flight ended as the spacecraft's six engines had nearly completed the thrust process to set it on a round-the-globe travel trajectory.

Video-Moment of the launch of SpaceX / How the van that was doing the recording was damaged
April 22, 3:31 p.m

At 121 meters long, the Starship rocket is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, with the goal of transporting humans to the Moon and Mars.

"The icing on the cake today was the successful launch," said company commentator John Insprucker, noting that the 33 propulsion engines were working properly, unlike last time. Also, the thruster was successfully separated from the spacecraft, which reached an altitude of 148 kilometers.

Commentator Kate Tice added that: "We have collected so much data that will help us improve the next flight."

SpaceX founder Elon Musk watched the launch from the control center in the southern corner of Texas, near the border with Mexico. Even at the company's headquarters in California, employees cheered as the Spaceship rocket took off. The hall, however, fell silent when it became clear that the missile had been destroyed.

Elon Musk's SpaceX expected to launch largest rocket, 'Starship'
April 17, 08:46

The company SpaceX had aimed to reach an altitude of 240 kilometers, which would be enough to launch the spaceship into orbit around the globe, before falling into the Pacific Ocean, near Hawaii, about an hour and a half after launch, failing to reach to traverse a complete revolution in orbit.

After the April test, SpaceX made numerous improvements to the rocket as well as the launch pad. The Federal Aviation Administration gave flight approval for the rocket on Wednesday after confirming that all safety and environmental criteria had been met.

NASA wants Starship to launch astronauts to the Moon by the end of 2025. NASA awarded SpaceX a $3 billion contract for the project.

The Starship rocket is 10 meters longer than NASA's Saturn V rocket that sent people to the moon over half a century ago./ VOA