Elon Musk to launch Starship Super Heavy: Watch what happened last time
Elon Musk-led SpaceX is all set to conduct the eight test flight of the behemoth Starship Super Heavy on Friday.
The latest test comes after the catastrophic failure of the Starship during last flight as it exploded moments after separation from the Super Heavy rocket.
As SpaceX preps for the next flight, engineers have revealed what happened during the last flight of Starship Super Heavy.
WATCH STARSHIP SUPER HEAVY’S LAST FLIGHT
STARSHIP LAUNCH AND FAILURE
On January 16, 2025, SpaceX conducted the seventh flight test of its Starship and Super Heavy rocket system from Starbase in Texas.
The mission aimed to demonstrate the capability of returning and catching the Super Heavy booster while launching an upgraded upper stage. Although not all objectives were met, the test provided valuable insights that will enhance future vehicles.
The Super Heavy booster successfully lifted off with all 33 Raptor engines firing, followed by a hot-staging maneuver to separate the Starship upper stage.
After stage separation, Super Heavy initiated a boostback burn, lighting 12 of its 13 engines, and returned to the launch site for a successful catch using the tower’s arms.
This marked the second time SpaceX has achieved this feat, showcasing the potential for rapid reusability.
WHY DID STARSHIP EXPLODE?
The Starship upper stage encountered significant issues. Approximately two minutes into its ascent burn, a flash was observed in the aft section, leading to a fuel leak and sustained fires.
This resulted in the loss of communication with the vehicle about eight minutes into the flight.
Post-flight analysis revealed that a harmonic response in the propulsion system caused excessive stress, leading to the propellant leaks and subsequent breakup of the vehicle.
SpaceX, with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA and other agencies, conducted an investigation into the anomaly. The findings led to hardware changes, including modifications to the fuel feedlines and the addition of vents and a purge system to mitigate flammability risks in the attic section.
SpaceX said that future upgrades will introduce the Raptor 3 engine, reducing potential leak points.
As SpaceX prepares for its eighth flight test, the company is targeting ambitious goals in pursuit of full and rapid reusability.
