According to CNN (CNN) and other media reports on the 26th, spaceX’s next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle ship blasted off from Texas at 18:30 a.m. Central Time Sunday, the first stage“Super Heavy” booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, and the second stage“Starship” spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Indian Ocean after all the test missions. The test flight was seen as a turning point for the second-generation starship after its first three failed tests. Musk posted: Well done SpaceX team!
Prior to the launch, SpaceX had canceled two test flights in a row. The“Starship” was originally scheduled to launch in the evening of August 24 local time, but was called off because of a malfunction in the ground system. It tried again in the evening of the 25th local time, but the launch was aborted due to weather conditions at the 40-second countdown. The test flight on the 26th completed all the test objectives of the“Starship”, marking a major breakthrough for the second generation“Starship”: the second generation“Starship” for the first time to complete the orbital stage test flight (the 7th and 9th test flights have failed) , it is also the first time that a starship has successfully re-entered the atmosphere and made a soft landing, the first time that a starship has successfully deployed in orbit, and the second time that a starship has demonstrated its ability to re-ignite space.
On August 25, local time, the starship was awaiting launch in Texas. Image Source: Visual China
The test flight attracted great attention from the Western media. U. S. “Space News” website, the BBC and other key points of the launch were combed. U. S. “Space News” website and other foreign media reports that the“Starship” to complete the 10th test flight, breaking the previous series of test flight failure haze.
On the 27th, Pang Zhihao, the nation’s chief scientific communication expert on Space Exploration Technology and an aerospace expert, told a reporter from the global times that although the 10th test flight of the“Starship” has experienced two delays, but the final success, the launch of a high degree of completion, mainly reflected in the following aspects. The first is to verify the“Super heavy” booster recovery technology. After the tests, the booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, and a central engine failure simulation test was conducted, intentionally shutting down a key raptor engine, the reliability of the redundant design is verified by the spare engine taking over and finishing the final spattering. The second is to complete the simulation of satellite in-orbit deployment and engine re-ignition test. During the test flight, the“Starship” spacecraft successfully deployed eight simulated satellites, initially showing the ability to launch satellites in bulk. In addition, the“Starship” spacecraft has also successfully conducted the“Raptor” engine re-ignition test, verified the spacecraft in space multiple ignition and maneuver ability. Third, the completion of a two-level full process recovery verification. This is the“Starship” 10 test flights in the first two full process successfully completed recovery, the second stage spacecraft in the Indian Ocean scheduled perfect splash down, a milestone.
Pang Zhihao that, although experienced many failures, and in the United States there are some negative voices, but the success of the 10th test flight for its development has brought new momentum. First, the test flight successfully verified a number of key technologies, with further improvement and optimization, “Starship” is expected to achieve more stable launch and recovery. If the“Starship” for the“Star chain” satellite launch, will further enhance the efficiency of the launch. Second, it raised the confidence of NASA to complete the planned manned return mission to the Moon. Third, it is of great significance in space strategy and international competition. In terms of us space strategy, the success of the starship is a signal that US space“Continues to lead” and will help consolidate US dominance in the future space industry.
However, Pang Zhihao believes that although the 10th test flight of the“Starship” has accomplished a series of test objectives, there are still many challenges in how to further verify the stability and reliability of the model during subsequent test flights, it remains to be seen whether subsequent tests will be completed as scheduled.