SpaceX has pulled off a successful test flight of its newest generation rocket, Starship, reversing a trend of disappointing failures. The world's largest and most powerful rocket blasted off from Texas just after 18:30 local time (23:30 BST) for a nail-biting 60-minute flight. Parts of the engine appeared to explode at one stage, and flaps on the side of the rocket caught fire and swung from side-to-side.
US space agency NASA plans to use Starship to send humans to the Moon for its Artemis program in 2027. Great work by the SpaceX team!!, posted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on X. He will be welcoming this success after three Starship launches ended in failure this year, including one rocket that exploded on the launch pad in June.
Starship is designed to be a fully reusable transport system capable of carrying people to the Moon and Mars. The signs were positive from the start of Tuesday's test flight as all of the boosters' 33 engines fired up. After about seven minutes, the booster separated from the spacecraft and fell into the Gulf of Mexico.
The spacecraft then ascended, reaching a maximum height of almost 200km above Earth, before coasting around the planet. Parts of the rocket's flaps appeared to burn and swing wildly during the descent. After multiple failures earlier this year, questions were raised regarding SpaceX's future and Elon Musk's focus amidst political engagements in the U.S.
This successful test is significant for both SpaceX and NASA, as the rocket needs to demonstrate reliability ahead of its lunar missions. Musk aims for Starship to be certified for human travel as early as next year, propelling future uncrewed flights to Mars within the next 12 months.
US space agency NASA plans to use Starship to send humans to the Moon for its Artemis program in 2027. Great work by the SpaceX team!!, posted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on X. He will be welcoming this success after three Starship launches ended in failure this year, including one rocket that exploded on the launch pad in June.
Starship is designed to be a fully reusable transport system capable of carrying people to the Moon and Mars. The signs were positive from the start of Tuesday's test flight as all of the boosters' 33 engines fired up. After about seven minutes, the booster separated from the spacecraft and fell into the Gulf of Mexico.
The spacecraft then ascended, reaching a maximum height of almost 200km above Earth, before coasting around the planet. Parts of the rocket's flaps appeared to burn and swing wildly during the descent. After multiple failures earlier this year, questions were raised regarding SpaceX's future and Elon Musk's focus amidst political engagements in the U.S.
This successful test is significant for both SpaceX and NASA, as the rocket needs to demonstrate reliability ahead of its lunar missions. Musk aims for Starship to be certified for human travel as early as next year, propelling future uncrewed flights to Mars within the next 12 months.
