SpaceX Delays 10th Test Launch of Its Massive Starship Rocket Amid Preparations
Space aficionados will have to wait a while longer to watch SpaceX try the tenth launch of their enormous Starship rocket, the largest rocket ever built.
The business planned to launch Starship from a SpaceX site near Boca Chica Beach in Texas during a one-hour window on Sunday evening. Soon after workers began loading the rocket with propellant, the business declared on social media that the project was being halted.
"Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems," SpaceX announced on its website.
The organisation has the opportunity to try again on Monday or Tuesday if it can solve this difficulty.
Once launched, this test mission will allow SpaceX to put the two-stage rocket's huge booster through its paces, testing a series of burns and hovering over the Gulf of Mexico before plunging into the water. The rocket's upper stage, or section, will make a suborbital flight in an attempt to deliver simulated satellites.
This flying test has been eagerly awaited, given that the multibillion-dollar Starship program has suffered a series of setbacks this year. The rocket lost control during its most recent flight, which occurred in May. In June, a pre-flight engine test caused a rocket to explode on the launch pad, resulting in a spectacular explosion.
The business planned to launch Starship from a SpaceX site near Boca Chica Beach in Texas during a one-hour window on Sunday evening. Soon after workers began loading the rocket with propellant, the business declared on social media that the project was being halted.
"Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems," SpaceX announced on its website.
The organisation has the opportunity to try again on Monday or Tuesday if it can solve this difficulty.
Once launched, this test mission will allow SpaceX to put the two-stage rocket's huge booster through its paces, testing a series of burns and hovering over the Gulf of Mexico before plunging into the water. The rocket's upper stage, or section, will make a suborbital flight in an attempt to deliver simulated satellites.
This flying test has been eagerly awaited, given that the multibillion-dollar Starship program has suffered a series of setbacks this year. The rocket lost control during its most recent flight, which occurred in May. In June, a pre-flight engine test caused a rocket to explode on the launch pad, resulting in a spectacular explosion.
The costly rocket losses are mounting, but SpaceX creator Elon Musk has taken a publicly optimistic posture, stating on social media that "Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!"
Still, having Starship operational is critical for both NASA and SpaceX. NASA hopes to utilise Starship to put astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972, possibly as early as 2027.
Musk established SpaceX with the intention of making humanity a multiplanetary species. He wants Starship to be able to transport humans to Mars so that they can colonise the red planet. Closer to home, he plans to use Starship to launch Starlink satellites.
The astronauts of the Fram2 mission will be the first to circle the Earth from pole to pole. From left to right are pilot Rabea Rogge, mission specialist and medical officer Eric Phillips, mission commander Chun Wang, and vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen.
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He and SpaceX are no strangers to enduring a string of poor test flights while designing a new rocket. SpaceX's initial rocket, the Falcon 1, failed three times before successfully reaching space in 2008.
Even while Starship struggles, SpaceX continues its daily business of supporting NASA's flights to the International Space Station. Earlier on Sunday, a robotic SpaceX capsule carrying food and other supplies for the station's astronauts safely launched aboard one of the company's workhorse Falcon 9 rockets.
Still, having Starship operational is critical for both NASA and SpaceX. NASA hopes to utilise Starship to put astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972, possibly as early as 2027.
Musk established SpaceX with the intention of making humanity a multiplanetary species. He wants Starship to be able to transport humans to Mars so that they can colonise the red planet. Closer to home, he plans to use Starship to launch Starlink satellites.
The astronauts of the Fram2 mission will be the first to circle the Earth from pole to pole. From left to right are pilot Rabea Rogge, mission specialist and medical officer Eric Phillips, mission commander Chun Wang, and vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen.
Space
SpaceX launches a landmark privately sponsored journey around Earth's poles.
He and SpaceX are no strangers to enduring a string of poor test flights while designing a new rocket. SpaceX's initial rocket, the Falcon 1, failed three times before successfully reaching space in 2008.
Even while Starship struggles, SpaceX continues its daily business of supporting NASA's flights to the International Space Station. Earlier on Sunday, a robotic SpaceX capsule carrying food and other supplies for the station's astronauts safely launched aboard one of the company's workhorse Falcon 9 rockets.