While part of the spacecraft successfully returned, the primary Starship experienced an unexpected disassembly during its ascent, scattering debris across the area. The FAA is assessing the incident and SpaceX is analyzing data to understand the cause of the failure.
SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy booster experienced a ' rapid unscheduled disassembly ' during its seventh test flight , resulting in debris falling from the sky. Despite the setback, part of the spacecraft successfully returned to its 'chopsticks' for a second time. The vehicle lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase test site at Boca Chica , Texas, and the booster separated approximately two minutes and 45 seconds after liftoff, heading back towards Starbase .
Space News reported that the spacecraft's six engines appeared to shut down one by one, with contact lost just 8 1/2 minutes into the flight, SpaceX confirmed. SpaceX stated that 'Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn.' 'Teams will continue to review data from today's flight test to better understand root cause. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.' The spacecraft was designed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world, similar to previous test flights. It carried 10 dummy satellites for practice releases.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed they were assessing the operation, stating 'The FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starship Flight 7 mission that launched from Boca Chica, Texas, on Jan. 16.' The agency mentioned that they briefly slowed and diverted aircraft around the area where space vehicle debris was falling, but normal operations have since resumed. Video footage of debris falling from the sky left some viewers perplexed. Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, responded to one video on X, writing 'Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!' In a subsequent post, he assured that 'improved versions of the ship & booster already waiting for launch.' NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX, acknowledging the inherent challenges of spaceflight. 'It’s anything but routine,' he wrote on X. 'That’s why these tests are so important—each one bringing us closer on our path to the Moon and onward to Mars.
Spacex Starship Booster Debris Test Flight Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly FAA Starbase Boca Chica
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