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The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Science
- The Advertiser
SpaceX Starship rocket breaks up in latest setback
SpaceX's Starship rocket has spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk's increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 122-metre Starship rocket system, the core of Musk's goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster - a first such demonstration of the booster's reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned. Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiralling came after SpaceX cancelled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space. Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight. Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so. In a post on X, Musk touted Starship's scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. Musk said a leak on Starship's primary fuel tank led to its loss of control. "Lot of good data to review," he said. "Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks." SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars. In issuing approval for Tuesday's test, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it had nearly doubled the airspace closure zone to 2963km east of the launch site. The Starship test involved co-ordination with authorities in the United Kingdom, the British-controlled Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba, according to a media report. The Starship rocket system was first tested in April 2023, when it completely exploded after just a few minutes. In subsequent tests, the upper stage reached space and even landed in a controlled manner in the Indian Ocean. with EFE and DPA SpaceX's Starship rocket has spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk's increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 122-metre Starship rocket system, the core of Musk's goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster - a first such demonstration of the booster's reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned. Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiralling came after SpaceX cancelled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space. Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight. Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so. In a post on X, Musk touted Starship's scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. Musk said a leak on Starship's primary fuel tank led to its loss of control. "Lot of good data to review," he said. "Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks." SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars. In issuing approval for Tuesday's test, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it had nearly doubled the airspace closure zone to 2963km east of the launch site. The Starship test involved co-ordination with authorities in the United Kingdom, the British-controlled Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba, according to a media report. The Starship rocket system was first tested in April 2023, when it completely exploded after just a few minutes. In subsequent tests, the upper stage reached space and even landed in a controlled manner in the Indian Ocean. with EFE and DPA SpaceX's Starship rocket has spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk's increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 122-metre Starship rocket system, the core of Musk's goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster - a first such demonstration of the booster's reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned. Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiralling came after SpaceX cancelled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space. Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight. Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so. In a post on X, Musk touted Starship's scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. Musk said a leak on Starship's primary fuel tank led to its loss of control. "Lot of good data to review," he said. "Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks." SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars. In issuing approval for Tuesday's test, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it had nearly doubled the airspace closure zone to 2963km east of the launch site. The Starship test involved co-ordination with authorities in the United Kingdom, the British-controlled Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba, according to a media report. The Starship rocket system was first tested in April 2023, when it completely exploded after just a few minutes. In subsequent tests, the upper stage reached space and even landed in a controlled manner in the Indian Ocean. with EFE and DPA SpaceX's Starship rocket has spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk's increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program. The 122-metre Starship rocket system, the core of Musk's goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course. For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster - a first such demonstration of the booster's reusability. But SpaceX lost contact with the lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned. Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiralling came after SpaceX cancelled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space. Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight. Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so. In a post on X, Musk touted Starship's scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. Musk said a leak on Starship's primary fuel tank led to its loss of control. "Lot of good data to review," he said. "Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks." SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars. In issuing approval for Tuesday's test, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it had nearly doubled the airspace closure zone to 2963km east of the launch site. The Starship test involved co-ordination with authorities in the United Kingdom, the British-controlled Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba, according to a media report. The Starship rocket system was first tested in April 2023, when it completely exploded after just a few minutes. In subsequent tests, the upper stage reached space and even landed in a controlled manner in the Indian Ocean. with EFE and DPA
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
UK can sign Chagos Islands deal after last-minute legal challenge fails
The deal has been criticised by some political figures, with the Conservatives, Reform's Nigel Farage and at one point US President Donald Trump all voicing opposition, ITV News' Correspondent John Ray reports The government can conclude its negotiations on the Chagos Islands deal, after an eleventh-hour legal challenge from campaigners as dismissed by a High Court judge. The deal, which would see Britain give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius and lease back a crucial military base there, was due to be signed on Thursday morning but was temporarily blocked by an injunction hours before. Discharging the injunction at the High Court, Mr Justice Chamberlain said: "The public interest and the interests of the United Kingdom would be substantially prejudiced by the grant or continuance of interim relief, and these matters provide a strong public interest reason against the continuance of interim relief." The legal challenge had been brought against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office by two British women born on the Chagos Islands. Bertrice Pompe, one of two women, said it was "a very, very sad day" but "we are not giving up". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is now expected to complete sign off of the deal on Thursday, which will see the British-controlled Chagos Islands handed over to Mauritius. Welcoming the High Court ruling, a government spokesperson said the agreement is "vital to protect the British people and our national security." The government had argued that it had to give up sovereignty over the islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius. The deal has been criticised by some political figures, with the Conservatives, Reform's Nigel Farage and at one point US President Donald Trump all voicing opposition. The latter signalled a change in tone and some support for the deal when Starmer visited the White House in February earlier this year. Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, is home to a joint UK-US military base, used to project Western influence in the Indian Ocean. Critics of proposals to hand over the islands to Mauritius fear the move will benefit China, which has a growing reach in the region. It had been reported that the terms of the deal were likely to include a lengthy extension to the lease of this military base. The Conservatives began negotiations with Mauritius when they were in power, but have been critical of Labour's handling of the deal. Speaking in the House of Commons just this week, Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the base on Diego Garcia was 'essential to our security', and the UK's security relationship with the US. 'We've had to act, as the previous government started to do, to deal with that jeopardy, we're completing those arrangements and we'll report to the House when we can,' he added.
STV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
UK banned from concluding Chagos Islands deal by last-minute court injunction
The Government has temporarily been banned from concluding its negotiations on the Chagos Islands deal by an injunction granted in the early hours of Thursday by a High Court judge. In the injunction, which was brought against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr Justice Goose granted 'interim relief' to Bertrice Pompe, who had previously taken steps to bring legal action over the deal. Speaking in his order, the judge said: 'The defendant shall take no conclusive or legally binding step to conclude its negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago, to a foreign government or bind itself as to the particular terms of any such transfer.' Downing Street insisted the deal is the 'right thing' but would not comment on the legal case. A hearing is expected to take place at 10.30am. The Chagos Islands consist of more than 60 individual islands, around 500km south of the Maldives. / Credit: PA Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was expected to complete sign off on a deal on Thursday, which would have seen the British-controlled Chagos Islands handed over to Mauritius. The government had argued that it had to give up sovereignty over the islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius. The Prime Minister was expected to attend a virtual ceremony on Thursday morning with representatives of the Mauritian government to complete signing off on the deal. A Government spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases. 'This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security.' The deal has been criticised by some political figures, with the Conservatives, Reform's Nigel Farage and at one point US President Donald Trump all voicing opposition. The latter signalled a change in tone and some support for the deal when Starmer visited the White House in February earlier this year. Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, is home to a joint UK-US military base, used to project Western influence in the Indian Ocean. Critics of proposals to hand over the islands to Mauritius fear the move will benefit China, which has a growing reach in the region. It had been reported that the terms of the deal were likely to include a lengthy extension to the lease of this military base. The Conservatives began negotiations with Mauritius when they were in power, but have been critical of Labour's handling of the deal. Speaking in the House of Commons just this week, Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the base on Diego Garcia was 'essential to our security', and the UK's security relationship with the US. 'We've had to act, as the previous government started to do, to deal with that jeopardy, we're completing those arrangements and we'll report to the House when we can,' he added. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
UK banned from concluding Chagos Islands deal by last-minute High Court injunction
The government has temporarily been banned from concluding its negotiations on the Chagos Islands deal by an injunction granted in the early hours of Thursday by a High Court judge. In the injunction, which was brought against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr Justice Goose granted "interim relief" to Bertrice Pompe, who had previously taken steps to bring legal action over the deal. Speaking in his order, the judge said: "The defendant shall take no conclusive or legally binding step to conclude its negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago, to a foreign government or bind itself as to the particular terms of any such transfer." Downing Street insisted the deal is the 'right thing' but would not comment on the legal case. A hearing is expected to take place at 10.30am. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was expected to complete sign off on a deal on Thursday, which would have seen the British-controlled Chagos Islands handed over to Mauritius. The government had argued that it had to give up sovereignty over the islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius. The prime minister was expected to attend a virtual ceremony on Thursday morning with representatives of the Mauritian government to complete signing off on the deal. A government spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases. 'This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security.' The deal has been criticised by some political figures, with the Conservatives, Reform's Nigel Farage and at one point US President Donald Trump all voicing opposition. The latter signalled a change in tone and some support for the deal when Starmer visited the White House in February earlier this year. Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, is home to a joint UK-US military base, used to project Western influence in the Indian Ocean. Critics of proposals to hand over the islands to Mauritius fear the move will benefit China, which has a growing reach in the region. It had been reported that the terms of the deal were likely to include a lengthy extension to the lease of this military base. The Conservatives began negotiations with Mauritius when they were in power, but have been critical of Labour's handling of the deal. Speaking in the House of Commons just this week, Defence Secretary John Healey insisted the base on Diego Garcia was 'essential to our security', and the UK's security relationship with the US. 'We've had to act, as the previous government started to do, to deal with that jeopardy, we're completing those arrangements and we'll report to the House when we can,' he added.
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Afrikaners pawns on Trump's board
Sadly for the immigrants, the culture shock will be huge and it will take all of their famed grit to make new lives for themselves. It is fascinating, given the current news, to look at the reasons for the original 'Great Trek' of Afrikaners – then known as Boers – from the British-controlled Cape Colony between 1835 and 1840. Many of the complaints and sentiments among those trekkers are similar to what Afrikaners are now saying as they line up to accept Donald Trump's refugee green card. In the 19th century, the Boers felt they were oppressed by the government; they wanted to preserve their culture and they desired new horizons and frontiers. Fleeing 'persecution' When the 50-odd former South Africans – for that is what they are – step off the plane in Washington, DC, today, they will feel they have fled persecution at the hands of the ANC, which, they claim, wants to take away their land and their culture. None of that has happened, mind you, but it makes a great story for our right-wing Afrikaner nationalists to tell their like-minded redneck friends in the States. Sadly for the immigrants, the culture shock will be huge, and it will take all of their famed grit to make new lives for themselves. Again, sadly, many will not realise that they are pawns or 'useful idiots' in the American president's plan to pander to his reactionary fanbase. ALSO READ: Resettlement of Afrikaners in US as refugees 'entirely politically motivated', Dirco says Myth of isolation He has shown that already by fast-tracking them, on flimsy evidence, over asylum seekers who are genuinely facing death and persecution in several countries. How Americans, already miffed at immigration in general, will react to them arriving in their communities and potentially taking away jobs from them, or receiving government benefits to help set themselves up, remains to be seen. The United States is a melting pot of peoples and cultures and it didn't get that way by people insisting on creating an island for their own. So, watch that space… NOW READ: First SA white Afrikaner refugees set to arrive in US next week
