It was the fourth launch of the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, which measures almost 121 meters. The first three tests ended in explosions.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX company has carried out its first full test flight of the Starship rocket.
It was the fourth launch of the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, which NASA relies on to send humans to Mars.
The spacecraft reached an altitude of nearly 130 miles (211 km) and traveled at more than 16,000 miles per hour before beginning its controlled descent.
Parts of the craft broke off during atmospheric reentry, but it reached the planned landing site in the Indian Ocean.
“ Despite losing many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship managed to land gently in the ocean ! » said Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, via X.
SpaceX almost avoided exploding in March, but contact had been lost with the spacecraft, as it drifted away into space. It was ultimately destroyed before reaching its objective. The booster also had problems that day.
The two test flights in 2023 ended in explosions shortly after takeoff from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border. The first caused a crater on the Boca Chica Beach launch pad, and threw debris for kilometers in the surrounding area.
SpaceX updated the software and made some changes to the rocket’s return to improve the chances of success. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the fourth launch on Tuesday, saying all safety requirements had been met.
Starship is designed to be completely reusable. This is why SpaceX wants to control the entry of the booster into the Gulf of Mexico and the descent of the spacecraft into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was recovered from Thursday’s theft.
The latest trial made “considerable progress” toward that goal, the company said on its website.
NASA has ordered a pair of Starships for two astronaut moon landing missions, planned for the end of the decade. Each lunar crew will use NASA’s rocket and capsule to leave Earth, but will join the Starship in lunar orbit to return to the surface.
SpaceX already sells tourist trips around the moon. The first private lunar client, a Japanese tycoon, withdrew from the trip with his entourage last week, citing frequent schedule delays.
The SpaceX founder and CEO has more ambitious plans: Musk envisions fleets of spaceships carrying people and the infrastructure needed to build a base on Mars.
Additional sources • adaptation: Serge Duchêne