Starship, with a height of 120 meters and a load capacity of 100 tons, made an unsuccessful attempt in April. After this unsuccessful attempt, SpaceX engineers took precautions against the setbacks. SpaceX owner Elon Musk announced that the Starship rocket is ready to launch after a series of tests. But first it needs to get permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
After a failed attempt, the Starship rocket is waiting for permission to relaunch!
SpaceX’s rocket has nearly twice the thrust of NASA’s most powerful rocket, Artemis. Thus, he has taken the lead and has no intention of losing to anyone. Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, made its maiden flight in April. However, a technical problem occurred just minutes after the test mission. As a result, the flight unfortunately ended.
In his post on his Twitter account, Musk said that the problem was “caused by a frozen pressure valve”. To overcome this problem, SpaceX engineers designed a flame deflector that can handle the heat and force generated as the rocket leaves the launch pad. Then he tested it.
SpaceX released a short video Tuesday evening showing the Starship spacecraft on the launch pad at the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval https://t.co/WjENkdudo9
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 6, 2023
The problems that SpaceX needs to solve do not end there. Also during Starship’s failed attempt, the thrust provided by the 33 Raptor engines shattered the launch pad. Because of this, concrete and other materials were scattered around the launch area. This situation also drew the reaction of environmental groups. The FAA needs permission before the rocket’s engines can be fired for its second test flight. Before granting permission, the FAA will assess the damage the first flight did to the area surrounding the launch site.
When the tests are completely finished, SpaceX wants to use this rocket for crewed missions. Musk’s company has a contract with NASA for the Artemis III crew’s moon landing project, scheduled for 2025. SpaceX has to be very careful with the Starship rocket. Another failure would negatively impact NASA’s first manned Moon mission in fifty years.
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