On January 16, SpaceX launched its seventh test flight of the Starship rocket, carrying a prototype of the spacecraft.
Unfortunately, the test flight faced an issue, as SpaceX announced the loss of the upper part of the reusable super-heavy rocket during the mission.
The malfunction occurred around 8.5 minutes into the flight, leading to the loss of contact with the second stage of the Starship.
Unplanned Destruction of Starship
The company later confirmed that the destruction of Starship happened unexpectedly while the spacecraft was ascending.
According to a statement from SpaceX, the upper part of the Starship was lost during the test, though the lower portion managed to safely return to Earth.
The recovery of the lower part was made possible through the use of specialized mechanical devices at the launch site, which captured the returning stage.
Significance of the Test Launch
This test flight was expected to be Starship’s first attempt to deliver cargo into space, a critical step in preparing the spacecraft for practical use.
A successful mission would have been a major milestone for SpaceX.
However, with the loss of the upper stage, the mission fell short of its intended goal.
Elon Musk Addresses the Issue
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, shared his thoughts on the incident in a post on the X platform.
He mentioned that the preliminary findings suggested an oxygen/fuel leak above the ship’s engine firewall, which was large enough to generate pressure beyond the venting capacity.
Musk also explained that engineers are working to identify the exact source of the leak, and plans are in place to enhance the ship’s systems, including adding a fire suppression system and expanding the vent area.
Potential Investigation and Delay
Following the incident, there may be further investigation into the failure, particularly by the U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This could potentially delay the next Starship launch as SpaceX works to address the issues and ensure the vehicle’s readiness for future missions.
