SpaceX’s second full test flight of its futuristic, bullet-shaped Starship ended in another fiery crash landing on Tuesday.
Elon Musk’s company launched its latest Starship prototype from the south-eastern tip of Texas, two months after the previous test ended in an equally explosive belly flop.
The full-scale stainless steel rocket reached its intended altitude of 6.2 miles (10km), slightly lower than the last one. Everything seemed to be going well as the 160ft (50m) Starship flipped on its side and began its descent. But it did not manage to straighten itself back up in time for a landing and slammed into the ground.
“We’ve just got to work on that landing a little bit,” said SpaceX launch commentator John Insprucker. “Reminder – this is a test flight.”
The next Starship stood nearby at the launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, during Tuesday’s test, which lasted six and a half minutes.
Musk is developing Starship to carry people to Mars, perhaps in as little as several years. It’s the upper stage of his intended moon- and Mars-ships, meant to launch atop a mega rocket called Super Heavy that is still being developed.
Stacked progression image of today’s launch and hard landing of #Starship SN9 at #SpaceX’s South Texas launch site!
— John Kraus 📷🚀 (@johnkrausphotos) February 2, 2021
One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen with my own eyes.
Full gallery + prints: https://t.co/1DmVCj3QlW pic.twitter.com/RoorKvzg6A
SpaceX tried to launch Starship last week, but failed to get the necessary approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, prompting a Twitter outburst from Musk.
SpaceX did not comply with safety regulations for the 9 December flight, an FAA spokesperson said Tuesday, and needed to take corrective action before proceeding with launch operations. Tuesday’s flight met all safety criteria, according to the FAA.
SpaceX’s first all-civilian space flight set for late this year, and will also serve as a fundraising opportunity for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which says it expects to generate $200m for cancer research and other causes.
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire businessman who will finance and pilot the multi-day mission for himself and three others, will drive the publicity push, with the help of a Super Bowl commercial next weekend. Until the end of February, anyone 18 or older can go to St Jude’s website to enter for a chance to win a seat onboard.
