Once again, SpaceX is gearing up to launch its Starship into orbit in its third attempt at this test. This has been a time-consuming process as the company has been continuously hit by requirements by regulatory agencies due to the massive amount of blast that is generated by Super Heavy, the first-stage booster that gets it off the ground and into orbit.
Because of this, long wait times for investigations and permits are needed between each launch attempt. With the last one taking place in November 2023, and the one before it in April 2023. Now the company is ready to take what it has learned from the last two launches to make the most out of its third.
It is aimed to take place within a launch window that begins tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM (EST), giving the company 110 minutes worth of window to get it in the air with the best conditions. You’ll be able to watch it all happen, starting 30 minutes before the launch window begins (video available below).
Elon Musk has opened up about the launch, stating that it has around an 80% projected chance of making it into orbit this time. Where it will eventually make a landing somewhere in the Indian Ocean. For a comparison, the last attempt (2nd launch) was given a 50% projection of making it. It lasted around 10 minutes in the air before it was eventually rapidly disassembled (blown up).
The company has made a number of improvements since the last launch and has even started improving on its future design and capabilities, saying that it will eventually rotate in space to create artificial gravity (when it has been fully approved for taking crews to the moon or Mars). Until then, the company has to be able to at least prove that it can get Starship off the ground and into orbit. Then it has to prove it can land on its own, and then prove that it can safely go further and do the same on another planetary body. So it still has a way to go before we start sending people into space with it.
Watch Starship's third flight test https://t.co/1u46r769Vp
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 5, 2024
Update/Results:
All 33 engines lit up, passed supersonic speeds, performed the hot-staging maneuver as the booster performed its flip to come back, all six engines lit on the ship sending it on onto a nominal path.
As the booster came back down, it seemed a bit unstable for a moment as the fins that rotate to guide it back through the atmosphere seemed to be having a hard time keeping it straight. However, SpaceX announced that it did reach its landing burn stage. However, they didn’t light as many engines as needed for a controlled landing, thus they lost the booster before it could splash down.
After about 6-7 minutes of flight, it successfully reached engine cutoff where it coasted on its way toward its intended re-entry point. Meanwhile, the company tested being able to re-gain access to the cameras on and off using the Starlink network. Eventually, the ship started orientating itself for re-entry and the cameras fed an excellent view of it making its way through the plasma field until it eventually lost signal (which happens continuously on and off). However, in this situation, they lost all communication (video, telemetry, control, etc) eventually showing that they had lost the ship before it was able to reach its landing burn.
A close call to the finish line, but it was expected. What was nice is that the company was able to succeed with a massive step forward compared to the other two launched. Obtaining a successful orbital flight, communication with Starlink, and more. Now it just needs to work on getting the booster and ship back to the ground safely (or in this case, the ocean). Something it will, hopefully, be able to accomplish on its next attempt.
1 Comment
To the moon baby!!!