SpaceX's mega Starship rocket has blasted off on its fourth test flight.
SpaceX's mega rocket Starship is prepared for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The Starship is scheduled to launch Thursday.
The world’s largest and most powerful rocket — almost 400 feet tall — was empty as it soared above the Gulf of Mexico and headed east on a planned hourlong flight. The spacecraft on top was aiming for a half-lap around the planet with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.SpaceX was looking to avoid explosions this time by controlling the descents.
It was a critical milestone in the company's plan to eventually return Starship’s Super Heavy booster to its launch site for reuse., but lost contact with the spacecraft as it careened out of space and blew up short of its goal. The booster also ruptured in flight, a quarter-mile above the gulf.ended in explosions shortly after blasting off from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border. The first one cratered the pad at Boca Chica Beach and hurled debris for thousands of feet .
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SpaceX gets FAA green light for Starship's fourth flight from TexasThe FAA granted SpaceX a license to launch its giant Starship rocket as soon as Thursday morning from Starbase near Boca Chica Beach in deep South Texas.
Read more »
SpaceX set for 4th flight of Starship from South Texas early todayAfter the rocket was lost during three previous launches, the aim of today's mission is to demonstrate the ability to return and reuse both stages.
Read more »
Massive explosion rocks SpaceX Texas facility, Starship engine in flamesA SpaceX Raptor engine, designed for the Starship rocket, exploded during a test. The incident raises concerns about the future of Starship.
Read more »
SpaceX says it's ready for Starship's fourth test flight from TexasIf the FAA grants SpaceX its modified launch license, the company said it could attempt the fourth test flight of Starship and the Super Heavy booster as soon as June 5 from its launch site in Boca Chica, Texas.
Read more »
Starship launch 4: When is the next SpaceX test flight planned?SpaceX is getting ready to launch its massive Starship rocket, perhaps as soon as 5 June, and we have all the details on the mission
Read more »
SpaceX fuels Starship megarocket again to prep for test flight (photos)Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, 'Out There,' was published on Nov. 13, 2018.
Read more »