SpaceX has released a video capturing the full flight of the Starship Super Heavy, which launched on its third flight on March 14, 2024. The world’s most powerful rocket lifted off from the company’s facilities near Boca Chica Beach, South Texas.
Despite not achieving a complete mission success, with both the Starship vehicle and its Super Heavy booster failing to survive their intended splashdowns, SpaceX has declared the test a significant step forward.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk praised the team’s efforts, highlighting the achievement of reaching orbital speed for the first time.
The test flight was particularly notable for the successful separation of Starship’s two stages approximately 2 minutes and 45 seconds after lift-off, and the demonstration of in-space manoeuvres such as the reignition of Starship’s Raptor engines and the transfer of cryogenic fuel between tanks.
Although the mission ended with the loss of the spacecraft during reentry to Earth, SpaceX remains optimistic. The data gathered from this flight is expected to provide invaluable insights into improving the design and operation of the Starship Super Heavy, moving closer to the goal of a fully and rapidly reusable space transportation system.
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