SpaceX Launches Seventh Starship Test Flight
This afternoon, the company conducted the seventh test flight of its Starship megarocket, launching from its Starbase facility in South Texas. The massive 403-foot-tall (123 meters) rocket roared to life, lifting off successfully and achieving stage separation. In an impressive feat, its first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, returned to Starbase and was dramatically caught by the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms.
Explosion Over the Atlantic
About eight minutes into the mission, SpaceX lost contact with the Starship upper stage, known as Ship. The exact cause of the issue remains unclear, but the 171-foot-tall (52 meters) spacecraft exploded over the Atlantic Ocean near the Turks and Caicos islands approximately 8.5 minutes after launch. The fiery spectacle created a dazzling sky show that many onlookers in the region captured and shared on X, the social media platform owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
SpaceX Responds to the Setback
“Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand the root cause. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability,” SpaceX stated on X.
The term “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” SpaceX’s characteristic phrase for explosions, has become a familiar part of the company’s rocket development process.
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite the setback, SpaceX remains focused on innovation and improvement. A notable success from the test was the dramatic Super Heavy “chopsticks” catch, demonstrating the planned recovery strategy for both the booster and the Starship vehicle.
This was the second successful “chopsticks” recovery, following the first during Starship Flight 5 in October. The achievement highlights SpaceX’s dedication to refining reusable rocket technology.
Video Credit: Fox Weather YouTube Channel
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