What Went Wrong With Starship's Third Test Flight?

Fraser Cain・2 minutes read

SpaceX's third Starship and super-heavy booster test was characterized by successful hot staging and booster reaching orbital velocity, despite issues like booster descent oscillations and engine shutdowns. Lessons from the test flights are crucial for future missions and booster recovery advancements, with the possibility of SpaceX making modifications based on investigation findings for upcoming launches.

Insights

  • SpaceX's third test of the Starship and super heavy booster at Bach chicaa showcased successful hot staging and Starship reaching orbital velocity, highlighting advancements in engine transitions and payload deployment.
  • Despite challenges such as booster engine shutdowns and spacecraft control issues, the test demonstrated the potential for a fully reusable two-stage rocket capable of significant payload launches, emphasizing the importance of lessons learned for future missions and booster recovery improvements.

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Recent questions

  • What were the key objectives of the SpaceX Starship test flight?

    The key objectives of the SpaceX Starship test flight included improving on issues from previous flights, aiming for a trajectory close to orbit over the Indian Ocean, successful payload deployment tests, propellant transfer test, booster recovery advancements, and lessons learned for future missions.

  • What were the major challenges faced during the SpaceX Starship test flight?

    The major challenges faced during the SpaceX Starship test flight included weather concerns, sequential shutdowns on one side of the booster's engines during boost back, violent oscillations and engine shutdowns during descent, unclear camera angles during cargo bay door opening, and a lack of control due to a roll impacting the investigation by the FAA.

  • How did the SpaceX Starship perform during the test flight?

    The SpaceX Starship performed well during the test flight, with successful hot staging, reaching orbital velocity, propelling to orbit with six Raptor engines, successful payload deployment tests, and a propellant transfer test completed successfully.

  • What were the outcomes of the SpaceX Starship test flight?

    The outcomes of the SpaceX Starship test flight included successful hot staging, booster's boost back with sequential shutdowns, violent oscillations and engine shutdowns during descent, successful propellant transfer test, successful payload deployment tests, and lessons learned for future missions.

  • What future plans does SpaceX have following the Starship test flight?

    Following the Starship test flight, SpaceX plans to investigate the mishap declared by the FAA, potentially modify the booster and Starship based on investigation findings, continue testing for successful reusability, and align progress towards future space exploration goals.

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Summary

00:00

SpaceX Starship Test: Orbital Success and Challenges

  • The third test of the SpaceX Starship and super heavy booster took place at Bach chicaa, with hot staging success and Starship reaching orbital velocity.
  • The goal was to improve on issues from the second flight, aiming for a trajectory close to orbit over the Indian Ocean.
  • The launch faced weather concerns but proceeded with onboard video showing fewer tile losses during ascent.
  • Hot staging went flawlessly with engines transitioning smoothly between booster and Starship.
  • Booster's Boost back saw all 13 engines firing but later experienced sequential shutdowns on one side, leading to speculation on the cause.
  • Booster's descent showed violent oscillations and engine shutdowns, ultimately tearing up at about 460 meters altitude.
  • Starship successfully reached orbit propelled by six Raptor engines, with live video coverage and successful payload deployment tests.
  • The cargo bay door opening for satellite deployment showed some issues with unclear camera angles but successful propellant venting.
  • A propellant transfer test was completed successfully, although details on the process and full success remain unclear.
  • Lessons learned from the test flights are crucial for future human-rated missions and booster recovery advancements, with ongoing engineering challenges to address.

14:56

Spacecraft's Troubled Mission: Outgassing, Roll, and Reentry

  • Outgassing was used to add a slight gravitational push to move propellant, but the effectiveness was unclear.
  • Additional objectives included opening and closing the payload bay door, with some off-camera actions possibly affecting the tests.
  • The spacecraft aimed to reenter the atmosphere and survive, with an engine test to relight engines in space failing due to autonomous software decisions.
  • The spacecraft exhibited a conspicuous barrel roll, potentially hindering engine relighting, leading to a lack of attitude control.
  • SpaceX mentioned a lack of control due to a roll, impacting the investigation by the FAA into the spacecraft's issues.
  • Debris seen during reentry may have been caused by a partially clogged thruster, potentially affecting the spacecraft's performance.
  • The heat shield held up well during ascent, with some missing tiles but overall showing positive signs.
  • Communication was lost 48 minutes into the mission, indicating a possible failure in the spacecraft systems.
  • The spacecraft descended faster than expected, losing 1,000 kilometers per hour and facing rapid forces due to a steep trajectory.
  • Live footage of reentry was possible due to the spacecraft's size creating a hole in the air for signals to pass through, despite typical radio blackout issues during reentry.

29:30

SpaceX launches largest vehicle into orbit

  • The vehicle launched into a suborbital orbit, with a perigee inside Earth and an apogee outside Earth.
  • The semi-major axis, the average of perigee and apogee, was measured at 125 kilometers.
  • The energy state of the vehicle is determined by the semi-major axis, indicating it was in an orbital trajectory.
  • The vehicle was the largest ever put into orbit, capable of carrying 100-200 tons in one launch.
  • SpaceX may recover the booster, even if the top stage remains expendable.
  • The FAA declared the launch a mishap, requiring an investigation by SpaceX before the next launch.
  • SpaceX has four more vehicles in various stages of completion, with potential launches in May.
  • Modifications to the booster and Starship may be necessary based on mishap investigation findings.
  • Progress towards Artemis 3, a moon landing mission, may align more with a 2028 timeline.
  • China is making significant progress in lunar missions, targeting 2029-2030 for a moon landing.

44:15

Upcoming Solar Eclipse and Reusable Rocket Progress

  • The Great America solar eclipse is approaching in less than a month, with the next significant eclipse in Canada expected in 2028, prompting plans to witness a similar event in Sydney; clear skies are crucial for optimal viewing, making Texas a preferable location over Canada for eclipse observation.
  • Despite minor setbacks in the recent test, progress in developing a fully reusable two-stage rocket is evident, with the potential for launching substantial payloads into space even in a fully disposable manner; the ongoing testing aims to achieve successful reusability and integration with other projects for future space exploration goals.
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