SpaceX’s Latest Starship Test Flight Splashes Down Without Booster Catch Attempt
Summary:
SpaceX’s sixth Starship test flight on November 19, 2024, saw the booster splash down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of being caught, due to unspecified issues. The uncrewed spacecraft successfully completed a near-global loop before a controlled destruction in the Indian Ocean. Key tests included engine ignition in space and heat protection experiments. SpaceX aims to reuse the entire Starship rocket to lower mission costs for lunar and Martian exploration. NASA has invested $4 billion for Starship’s moon missions, though several previous test flights ended in failure.
On November 19, SpaceX conducted its sixth Starship test flight, launching from Boca Chica, Texas.In contrast to previous tests, the booster was aimed for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico instead of attempting to be caught with mechanical arms.. The decision to forego the catch was made minutes into the flight due to unspecified issues, according to SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot.
The uncrewed spacecraft followed a near-global loop, skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean for a controlled destruction. This flight tested new objectives, including igniting an engine in space and experimenting with heat protection, marking progress toward making Starship fully reusable.
President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch, underscoring a growing association with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. The company aims to eventually reuse the entire 400-foot rocket to lower costs and accelerate missions to the moon and Mars.
NASA has invested over $4 billion in SpaceX to develop Starship for astronaut missions, with hopes of utilizing the rocket for moon landings later this decade.
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