SpaceX's mars-bound rocket breaks apart during test flight
On Thursday SpaceX launched Starship for a test flight to deploy mock satellites into space after its failure ended in explosion approximately two months ago.
SpaceX lost control of its Starship spacecraft only moments after its space launch when engine systems failed according to live broadcast feed from the company. After that point the spacecraft generated significant debris that flew through skies above south Florida and the Bahamas region.
SpaceX team experienced a loss of Starship space vehicle attitude control systems
. During its ascent burn Starship encountered a rapid unexpected failure that resulted in lost contact communication according to SpaceX which then prompted pre-planned safety procedures with officials as the team worked immediately. We will evaluate results from today's testing to determine the fundamental origin of the issue. Success derives from our acquired knowledge which today's mission will teach us to make Starship more reliable. SpaceX succeeded in returning the first-stage booster to the pad after its launch on Thursday when the eighth test flight conducted a successful stage separation followed by a successful booster catch using giant mechanical arms. The Starship mishandled its attitude control point during the mission.
Starship launch
Operating from Texas the 403-foot (123-meter) rocket launched during the evening hours. During the flight the spacecraft moved eastward under automated control until the crew lost communication with it just before its controlled re-entry over the Indian Ocean at thousands of miles distance. The modifications made to Starship focused on its flaps and computers together with its fuel systems to achieve the mission goal of returning the spacecraft to the same launch site where the booster landed.
Starship for another launch
The previous SpaceX demonstration ended successfully when the booster team caught the booster at the pad following which the spacecraft experienced an explosion in Atlantic airspace. There were no reported accidents and no substantial destruction occurred. An ongoing investigation showed that leaking fuel led to fires that stopped the engine functions of the spacecraft. Acute protocol initiated and activated the destructive sequence of the spacecraft.
