Ilon Musk promises more risky launches after the sixth catastrophe of Starship rocket (photo)
But the latest unsuccessful test launches of the missile may indicate deep problems, Space writes. In focus. Technology has appeared its Telegram channel. Subscribe not to miss the latest and most intrusive news from the world of science! The Starship rocket from Ilon Mask SpaceX has been in development for over ten years and has undergone many changes in its design. The Starship concept is based on SpaceX Raptor engines that will be used in a multi -stage system.
In a multi -stage rocket system, there are often two or three separate blocks with their own engines and fuel stocks. They are especially important for the exit from the orbit of land and travel to the moon, Mars and more. In the case of Starship, the key factor is the ability to land and reuse the huge number of stages of the rocket again and again. Multiple Falcon 9 SpaceX missiles have proven to be very successful.
The Starship's initial trials began in 2018 with two low altitude flights and they were successful. The following flights faced numerous problems. Today, out of nine trials, only three were fully successful and the rest of six or partially or were completely unsuccessful. In May, there was a ninth test that ended in a disaster, although the upper stage of the Starship rocket still visited space, as focus has already written. SpaceX does not name the exact cost of each test flight.
But Ilon Musk previously stated that it is about $ 50-100 million. The environmental damage from the unsuccessful launches of Starship is more difficult to estimate. For example, in 2023, after the unsuccessful launch, Port Isabel, Texas, located near the launch site, was covered with a huge layer of dust, and the wreckage of the rocket damaged many cars.
In September 2024, SpaceX was fined by the US environmental agency and the Texan Environmental Commission for 14 separate incidents since 2022, when the starting installations dumped polluted water into Texas waterways. Musk denied these statements.
The unsuccessful launches in January and March this year led to Starship's fragments began to fall over the Caribbean and violated hundreds of commercial flights, including 80, which had to be reprimanded, and more than 400, which needed delayed takeoffs to make sure Earlier, the US Civil Aviation Directorate allowed SpaceX to try to run up to five Starship missiles a year. This figure has recently been increased to 25.
When launching a rocket into space, anything can happen and much can go wrong. Therefore, it will take some time before it becomes clear whether the Starship is successfully achieving the mission. But this last failure really raises some questions. Will the Starship's app ever successful and if so, when? But Ylon Musk is optimistic. He recently stated that the next Starship test flights will take place at a faster pace: once every three to four weeks.