Today at Boca Chica Village in South Texas , It was not the kind of result Elon musk might have desired for SN11 , but every step is a learning step , as we see it !
The Summary !
SpaceX starship rocket exploded at the end of a high-altitude test flight on Tuesday, but heavy fog at the site left even SpaceX ( at least publicly) uncertain about the cause of the explosion. They had to wait for situation improvement in terms of visibility for further inspection.
SN11, had a normal ascent and that all appeared to be well before on-board cameras lost signal and the vehicle was subsumed by fog moments before landing.
All previous (three) of SpaceX's launches of SN11 series starship prototypes either crash landed or exploded shortly after landing.
How did the explosion look like ?
NasaSpaceflight.com producer Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) says, "Starship SN11 came down hard. Debris came flying past the
@NASASpaceflight camera near the pad and even appeared to knock it a bit."
Starship SN11 came down hard. Debris came flying past the @NASASpaceflight camera near the pad and even appeared to knock it a bit. pic.twitter.com/Wo9T4Im5ug
— Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) March 30, 2021
What was the Issue ?
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk did confirm the explosion on Twitter, though, saying " At least the crater is in the right place! "
He added " Looks like engine 2 had issues on ascent & didn’t reach operating chamber pressure during landing burn, but, in theory, it wasn’t needed. Something significant happened shortly after landing burn start. Should know what it was once we can examine the bits later today. "
Looks like engine 2 had issues on ascent & didn’t reach operating chamber pressure during landing burn, but, in theory, it wasn’t needed.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021
Something significant happened shortly after landing burn start. Should know what it was once we can examine the bits later today.
What's Next ? - optimism !
But, he was quick to bring 'Optimism' to the forefront, talked about SN15 , which will have hundreds of design improvements. He also expects, these improvements will out do the problems faced by their predecessors.
He says, "SN15 rolls to launch pad in a few days. It has hundreds of design improvements across structures, avionics/software & engine. Hopefully, one of those improvements covers this problem. If not, then retrofit will add a few more days."
SN15 rolls to launch pad in a few days. It has hundreds of design improvements across structures, avionics/software & engine.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021
Hopefully, one of those improvements covers this problem. If not, then retrofit will add a few more days.
What is in the future of SpaceX's Revolutionary technology ?
Elon Must also talked about SN20, which he treats as a revolutionary technology in the efforts of SpaceX . He also acknowledges, the hard work ahead !
He says, "Next major technology rev is at SN20. Those ships will be orbit-capable with heat shield & stage separation system. Ascent success probability is high. However, SN20+ vehicles will probably need many flight attempts to survive Mach 25 entry heating & land intact."
Next major technology rev is at SN20. Those ships will be orbit-capable with heat shield & stage separation system. Ascent success probability is high.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 30, 2021
However, SN20+ vehicles will probably need many flight attempts to survive Mach 25 entry heating & land intact.
What are your views on this ? Text them in our comment section !
