Starship rocket 8-mile high-altitude test flight canceled! SpaceX shuts down Raptor engine 1 second before launch



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On the afternoon of the 8th US time, SpaceX began a countdown to prepare to launch the Starship prototype, but just 1.3 seconds before launch, the rocket’s Raptor engine stopped working and the rocket did not take off with success. SpaceX will provide information on the upcoming launch on its official Twitter.

At some point on the 8th, SpaceX hopes to conduct a critical test flight of the next-generation Starship rocket to bring the prototype carrier rocket to the current highest altitude. SpaceX plans to launch the heavy rocket about 8 miles (12.5 kilometers) above SpaceX’s launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, before landing on the ground.

Starship was originally scheduled to make the first flipped landing attempt in heavy rockets history.

The test aims to show that the Starship rocket can be launched and landed vertically so that the spacecraft can perform missions on earth and around the world in the same way. SpaceX’s goal is to use Starship rockets to transport cargo and people to outer space destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The test helps demonstrate Starship’s ability to perform controlled flight missions and takes the opportunity to examine whether the rocket’s hardware – especially the three main engines of the Raptor – is performing as expected.

Takeoff and landing are only part of the test. The SpaceX website states: “The Starship prototype will actually perform a flip landing operation. This will be the first attempt at such a heavy aircraft.” There are no public details on this exercise, but the risky test is prone to errors. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk even believed the flight “only has a third chance of success.” SpaceX officials also particularly downplayed the chance that the test would complete a perfect launch and landing.

“Through such tests, success is not measured by achieving specific goals, but how much we can learn from them. With the rapid progress of the SpaceX Starship rocket, such tests will demonstrate and increase the likelihood of future success.” SpaceX official website The article about the test flight says. If all goes well, this flight will allow SpaceX to attempt many more ambitious experiments in the future until the ultimate goal of the first Starship launch into Earth orbit is achieved.

For this test flight, SpaceX plans to provide a live feed from before takeoff. But it is difficult to provide an exact start time. The Federal Aviation Administration (EPA) issued a flight restriction notice in the airspace near Pokachka from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and also issued a restriction notice on the 9th and 10th. SpaceX wrote: “The The schedule is dynamic and can change, as can all development and testing. ” SpaceX will provide new information via Twitter, so interested parties must follow SpaceX’s every move throughout the day to see the rocket. Great launch opportunity.

(First Image Source: SpaceX)

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