SpaceX’s Starship megarocket experienced a second consecutive setback during a test flight, as controllers lost contact with the upper-stage vehicle after several engines appeared to cut off approximately 8 minutes into the flight. The incident resulted in the rocket breaking apart and debris being scattered across various locations, leading to ground stops at airports in Florida. The cause of the failure was attributed to leaking propellant sparking fires in a section of Starship known as the “attic.” SpaceX had made upgrades to prevent similar fires before the test flight. Despite the failure, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site, showcasing the “catch” maneuver that is essential for making Starship a fully reusable system. The Starship system consists of two parts, the Super Heavy booster, and the upper-stage spacecraft, and is intended for crewed missions in the future. SpaceX’s involvement in NASA’s Artemis III mission to return to the moon in 2027 highlights the potential importance of the Starship megarocket in space exploration. Despite setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to improving the Starship system through continued testing and development.
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