Starship’s Latest Test Reveals New Problems for SpaceX to Solve
1 min read
Summary
SpaceX failed to achieve a successful flight of its Starship rocket ship on a test flight on Tuesday, despite solving some of the problems that plagued two earlier missions.
However, the ship ultimately spiralled out of control and came apart, due to fuel tank issues that caused a loss of pressure, spreading debris into the Indian Ocean.
This meant that SpaceX was unable to test the ship’s heat shield, which is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
This is considered a vital part of the rocket, as it needs to be able to do this numerous times without needing time-consuming inspections and refurbishment.
SpaceX will now have to delay tests of the ship.
The company had hoped to launch up to 25 flights of the rocket this year, but this now seems unlikely.
