Particle.news
Download on the App Store
27 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Starship Demonstrates Payload Deployment and Engine Relight on Tenth Test Flight

The data-rich flight marked progress toward the reusability SpaceX is developing for NASA’s lunar lander program.

Nach zwei verschobenen Startterminen ist die Riesenrakete Starship des US-Raumfahrtunternehmens SpaceX zu ihrem zehnten Testflug gestartet. Die Rakete hob, wie geplant, am Dienstag um 18.30 Uhr (Ortszeit; Mittwoch 01.30 Uhr MESZ) von unternehmenseigenen Weltraumbahnhof Starbase im US-Bundesstaat Texas ab.
Aufnahme der Starship-Rakete beim Start
Image

Overview

  • After delays for a ground-systems fix and then weather, the vehicle lifted off from Starbase, Texas, for the tenth test flight.
  • Stage separation was successful, and the Super Heavy booster executed a controlled water impact in the Gulf of Mexico as planned.
  • The upper stage opened its payload bay and deployed eight satellite simulators in orbit during the mission.
  • SpaceX confirmed an in-space engine relight, and the upper stage later sustained reentry damage and was destroyed during splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
  • SpaceX characterized the test as a success for key objectives, and NASA interim chief Sean Duffy called it a big day, with no date announced for the next flight.