SpaceX has received the green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency for the second flight test of Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, intended for future missions to the Moon and also to Mars. The test is scheduled for November 17 from SpaceX's base in South Texas, during a time window of about two hours that will open starting at 14.00 Italian time.
The new test takes place a few months after the one on April 20, which ended with a partial failure: at the time of launch, some of the rocket's engines did not ignite properly and the upper stage was unable to separate from the launcher, becoming difficult to control. For these reasons, the rocket was intentionally destroyed minutes after launching over the Gulf of Mexico. Starship's departure also damaged the base, digging a crater under the launch pad and raining debris on the surrounding area.
The problems encountered, however, have proved to be very useful: Musk said last June that more than 1,000 changes have been made based on lessons learned. The launch pad, for example, has been reinforced with a new water-cooling system installed underneath, a so-called 'deluge system', to limit the damage caused by the extreme heat generated by the engines. In addition, a new technique has been implemented, which will cause the engines of the upper stage to fire while it is still attached to the lower one, since the traditional technique has not proven to be effective.
The objectives of this second test, therefore, are the same as the first: SpaceX aims to send the upper stage of the rocket into orbit around the Earth, with final splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, near Hawaii, about 1 hour and 20 minutes after launch. The lower stage, on the other hand, will plunge into the Gulf of Mexico.
All rights reserved © Copyright ANSA