Elon Musk & SpaceX had announced that their long-awaited flagship spacecraft SpaceX Starship was ready for launch in the 3rd week of this month. But something happened!
Elon Musk’s space exploration company, SpaceX, has been working on a brand-new spacecraft named the Starship.
The Starship is designed to be a totally reusable spaceship that can go to places like the Moon and Mars with up to 100 passengers on board.
SpaceX has also been creating the Super Heavy, a potent new rocket that will be used to propel the Starship into space. Two recent events concerning the Starship and Super Heavy have occurred.
SpaceX Starship
First, the SpaceX Starship prototype SN11 has successfully completed a test launch by SpaceX.
This Starship prototype, SpaceX’s eleventh overall, was launched from the company’s launch complex near Boca Chica, Texas.
The Starship’s capacity to pull off a “belly flop” control, which involves turning onto its side and using its big fins to slow down as it descends into the atmosphere, was to be tested during the launch.
However, an unexpected consequence occurred during the landing when SN11 exploded in midair.
Read Also: NASA TEMPO Mission with SpaceX to Monitor Earth’s Pollution From Space
Super Heavy Rocket
Second, at the company’s launch complex in Boca Chica, SpaceX has been preparing to fly the first high-altitude demonstration of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket.
Due to technical challenges and regulatory issues, this launch has been postponed multiple times.
The launch, which was originally scheduled for 11th April, is now anticipated to occur in the 3rd week of April.
SpaceX’s Objectives
The Starship and Super Heavy will be launched during the high-altitude test to an altitude of roughly 20 kilometers, which is substantially higher than during any of the Starship’s prior tests.
The goal of the test is to show that the SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy have the capacity of transporting people and goods into space and back without incident.
The Starship will execute a controlled landing and return to Earth once it reaches the target height.
Starbase LaunchPad
At its launch facility in Boca Chica, SpaceX has been building a new launch pad in anticipation of the high-altitude test.
All upcoming launches of starships and super-heavy rockets will take place from this launch pad, which is known as “Starbase.”
A number of adjacent towns had to be relocated in order to make room for new infrastructure, which included building a new launch control facility and a new launching platform for the Super Heavy rocket.
Delay In FAA Approvals
While the delay in the high-altitude test is upsetting for SpaceX and its fans, given the difficulty of the Starship and Super Heavy programs, it is not surprising.
Due to SpaceX’s ambitious intentions for the Starship, there will inevitably be setbacks and delays along the route because it is pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Further Goals of SpaceX
SpaceX is still making headway with the Starship and Super Heavy in spite of the setbacks.
The organization has already begun work on the SN15 Starship prototype, which will reportedly include various enhancements based on the knowledge gained from earlier experiments.
The Super Heavy rocket, which when finished will be the most potent rocket ever built, is another project that SpaceX is still working on.
The launch was scheduled to be done on 11th April 2023. But now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a revised notice that said the launch is expected to happen on 17th April 2023.
