Latest news with #Flight9
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Elon Musk has made an announcement: ‘Starship flight to Mars crewed by Optimus in Nov/Dec next year'
Elon Musk has updated SpaceX's Mars mission timeline, reducing the likelihood of a Starship launch to the Red Planet by 2026. Once considered a feasible goal, the mission now has only a slight chance of happening by the end of that year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This marks a shift from Musk's earlier 2025 prediction, which placed the odds at fifty-fifty. The delay is largely due to technical setbacks, including the failure to successfully land an upper-stage Starship this year. In a recent on X, Musk acknowledged that several complex milestones must be achieved before any Mars mission can realistically proceed. Elon Musk cites Starship failures and refuelling delays for timeline shift Earlier this year, during a presentation to SpaceX staff following Flight 9, Musk had maintained a more optimistic view. Although Flight 9 achieved stage separation, the vehicle ultimately lost control during reentry and was destroyed. At the time, Musk said that SpaceX was targeting five uncrewed landers to Mars in 2026, contingent on mastering in-space propellant refilling, a critical manoeuvre required for deep space travel. The May plan was based on completing orbital refuelling tests in time for the 2026 launch opportunity. However, this technology remains unproven, and Musk's latest update suggests that progress may be slower than hoped. He now appears more cautious about relying on it to meet the tight Mars launch window in late 2026. Elon Musk now targets 2028–2030 for Starship's Mars missions With the updated timeline, Elon Musk now considers 2028 a more realistic target for an uncrewed Starship mission to Mars, with a crewed flight likely to follow in 2030, four years later than originally hoped. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While a 2026 launch window remains technically open, Musk admits there's only a 'slight chance of Starship flight to Mars crewed by Optimus in Nov/Dec next year,' adding that 'a lot needs to go right' for that to happen. This delay extends the horizon for SpaceX's Mars ambitions, with Musk posting that the 'first flight without humans is in ~3.5 years' and the 'next flight in ~5.5 years with humans.' The revised plan places the manned Mars mission closer to the end of the decade, contingent on key milestones like orbital refuelling and full rocket recovery. The change in timeline also underscores the extreme technical demands of the Starship programme. Unlike earlier rockets, Starship is designed to be fully reusable and capable of carrying large payloads or multiple passengers over vast interplanetary distances. So far, SpaceX has only achieved limited success with upper-stage Starship tests, highlighting the engineering challenges that still lie ahead. Elon Musk prioritises heat shield and rocket recovery upgrades for Starship Alongside interplanetary ambitions, Musk has highlighted other priorities within the Starship development programme. In July, he shared that two near-term technical goals are perfecting the heat shield and recovering the rocket using the launch tower's mechanical arms, both critical for reusability and cost reduction. Although these upgrades are not essential for the Mars missions themselves, they are vital for the long-term sustainability of the Starship platform. Improving these systems will allow SpaceX to reduce its reliance on the Falcon 9 and move closer to its goal of fully reusable, low-cost space transport. Ultimately, while Elon Musk remains committed to reaching Mars, his tone has become more cautious. The updated 2028–2030 timeline reflects a pragmatic approach, factoring in engineering hurdles and the need for breakthrough demonstrations like orbital refuelling. SpaceX's path to Mars is still active, but it may take longer than previously envisioned. Elon Musk's revised Mars mission timeline reflects a more grounded assessment of SpaceX's current progress with Starship. While the goal of reaching the Red Planet remains intact, technical challenges such as orbital refuelling, heat shield durability, and rocket recovery systems have slowed momentum. Musk's cautious tone signals a shift from earlier optimism to a more measured, step-by-step approach. With a new target of 2028 for an uncrewed flight and 2030 for a potential crewed mission, SpaceX is adjusting expectations while continuing to build critical capabilities. The journey to Mars is far from over; it's just taking a longer, more complex route. Also Read:
Arabian Post
19-06-2025
- Science
- Arabian Post
Starship Static‑Fire Test Ends in Explosive Failure
A dramatic explosion ripped through SpaceX's Starbase test site near Brownsville, Texas, at approximately 11 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday, June 18, when the Starship prototype designated Ship 36 detonated during a routine static‑fire test ahead of its anticipated tenth flight. The stainless‑steel vehicle was engulfed in flames following a 'major anomaly' while being fuel‑led for a multiple‑engine ignition sequence, according to SpaceX. All personnel remained outside the secured perimeter and were confirmed safe, and there were no hazards reported to neighbouring communities. The incident triggered a massive fireball that illuminated the night sky, accompanied by a deep boom that rattled windows and prompted concern among South Texas residents. Local emergency services and SpaceX teams responded swiftly to contain the blaze, which smouldered for over two hours after the blast. Ship 36 had undergone a single‑engine static fire on June 16 and was being loaded with liquid methane and oxygen for a six‑engine ignition when it suffered catastrophic failure. While details remain scarce, video feeds captured an initial eruption near the nose section, followed by a secondary blast near the vehicle's side, culminating in a fiery detonation that obliterated the test stand. ADVERTISEMENT SpaceX characterised the event as a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly,' reiterating that safety protocols functioned as intended. The company confirmed through its X account that the site was secured, all employees were safe, and there was no impending risk to surrounding residential zones. The explosion delivers a significant blow to SpaceX's high‑tempo test programme. Ship 36 was central to the upcoming tenth integrated flight test, tentatively scheduled for late June, following FAA notices suggesting a launch window around 29 June. The blast is now expected to delay that timeline. Ship 36 is part of a succession of upper stage prototypes built with lessons from earlier failures. This spring, Ship 33 was lost mid‑flight, and Ship 34 disintegrated after engine shutdowns. Ship 35 achieved flight but was lost during re‑entry in Flight 9 on May 27 due to attitude control issues over the Indian Ocean. Despite these setbacks, SpaceX continues to follow its iterative testing model—'fail fast, learn fast'—to refine design and reliability for the massive Super Heavy–Starship system. In statements after previous explosions, CEO Elon Musk has noted that such events are part of the development process and maintain optimism about achieving high‑frequency launches. The blast's impact on Starbase infrastructure remains unclear. Initial reports indicate that fires continued well into the early hours of Thursday, but the structural and logistical damage to test‑stand facilities has not yet been quantified. SpaceX has deployed teams alongside local authorities to secure the site and begin assessments. Ship 36's loss will likely compel SpaceX to adjust schedules for its Artemis lunar programme and the planned orbital Starship missions. The starship upper stage is slated to act as the Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis 3 lunar landing mission in 2027, and delays in prototype testing could compress the development timeline. SpaceX's core objective remains unchanged: delivering fully reusable launch systems to support deep‑space missions, including human travel to Mars by the mid‑2020s. The firm is progressing with development of a 'V3' Starship design, intended to enable weekly launches next year. Ship 36 represented the refined 'V2' design, offering increased propellant capacity, lower mass and improved system redundancy. Local communities were warned to avoid the perimeter while recovery operations continue. The Federal Aviation Administration has signalled strong regulatory backing, recently granting Starbase approval for up to 25 launches and 50 landings annually.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
FAA requires SpaceX to investigate Starship Flight 9 mishap
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. SpaceX needs to figure out what happened on the ninth test flight of its Starship megarocket, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decreed. Flight 9, which lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas on Tuesday (May 27), ended in the destruction of both of Starship's stages — its Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage (which is also sometimes known, somewhat confusingly, as Starship). But the FAA, which grants launch licenses for U.S. operators, is only concerned about one of those explosive events. "The mishap investigation is focused only on the loss of the Starship vehicle, which did not complete its launch or reentry as planned," FAA officials wrote in an update today (May 30). "The FAA determined that the loss of the Super Heavy booster is covered by one of the approved test induced damage exceptions requested by SpaceX for certain flight events and system components," the agency explained. "The FAA evaluated each exception prior to launch approval and verified they met public safety requirements." SpaceX broke new ground on Flight 9, reusing a Super Heavy for the first time ever. This particular booster first flew on Flight 7 in January, acing its engine burn and then returning to Starbase for a successful and dramatic catch by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms. The company did not attempt another catch on Flight 9. It conducted a variety of experiments with the booster, including bringing it down to Earth on a higher "angle of attack" to increase atmospheric drag. So, for safety's sake, SpaceX steered Super Heavy toward a "hard splashdown" in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. This didn't quite work out, however. "Contact with the booster was lost shortly after the start of landing burn when it experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly approximately 6 minutes after launch, bringing an end to the first reflight of a Super Heavy booster," SpaceX wrote in a Flight 9 recap. Ship had an even harder time on Flight 9. The upper stage was supposed to make a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia about 65 minutes after launch, but it suffered an "attitude control error" that prevented the vehicle from getting into the proper orientation for reentry. "Starship then went through an automated safing process to vent the remaining pressure to place the vehicle in the safest condition for reentry," SpaceX wrote in the recap. "Contact with Starship was lost approximately 46 minutes into the flight, with all debris expected to fall within the planned hazard area in the Indian Ocean." Related stories: — SpaceX reached space with Starship Flight 9 launch, then lost control of its giant spaceship (video) — Starship and Super Heavy explained — SpaceX loses Starship rocket stage again, but catches giant Super Heavy booster during Flight 8 launch (video) This was still a considerable improvement over Ship's performance on its previous two liftoffs. On both Flight 7 and Flight 8 (which launched in March), Ship was lost less than 10 minutes after liftoff, raining debris down over the Atlantic. There have been no reports of injuries or damage to public property as a result of the Flight 9 mishap, according to the FAA. There were also minimal effects on flights in U.S. airspace — an improvement over the previous two Starship launches. "The FAA activated a Debris Response Area, out of an abundance of caution, when the Super Heavy booster experienced its anomaly over the Gulf of America during its flyback toward Texas," FAA officials wrote. "The FAA subsequently determined the debris did not fall outside of the hazard area," they added. "During the event, there were zero departure delays, one flight was diverted, and one airborne flight was held for 24 minutes."
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Emirates airline president reveals staggering cost to transform Qatari ‘sky Palace' into Trump's new Air Force One jet
DONALD Trump's luxury "sky Palace" gifted to him by Qatar will cost a few billion dollars, says the President of Emirates airline. The US government now faces a "Herculean task" to transform the huge Boeing 747-8 into a new Air Force One fit for a president, warns Sir Tim Clark. Advertisement 9 President Trump boards Air Force One earlier this month Credit: Reuters 9 President of Emirates airline Sir Tim Clark believes it will cost a few billion dollars to properly transform it into a replacement Air Force One Credit: Emirates 9 A look inside the lavish $400million plane shows the Boeing kitted out in gold Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 President Trump, 78, sparked concerns earlier this month with his willingness to accept the plush flying mansion from the Qatari royal family. The giant gift, worth an estimated $400m (£300m), has raised several ethical questions about if the US leader should be allowed to accept such expensive goods from other states. But despite the controversy, Trump gladly took the 13-year-old mega jet back to Washington with him. He now plans to make it part of his Air Force One fleet alongside two other Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets. Advertisement They have been operational since 1990 but are now said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes such as Qatar's 747-8. In order for it to become a fully fledged member of the president's aviation arsenal however, it will need to go through some serious work. It would have to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before ever ferrying around Trump. And significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials would be required. Advertisement Sir Tim, president of Emirates, told Piers Morgan Uncensored that President Trump's flashy plans may cost a 'couple of billion dollars'. He explained to Piers: 'I think you're talking a couple of billion dollars to start with. Trump's new $400m Qatari Air Force One jet from Qatar is 'hackers dream' "Just roll back a little bit and look at what it takes for us to convert our 777s - from the old to the new - because we haven't got the Boeing's coming in at the pace we want them so we're having to reconfigure all of them." The top aviation boss said trying to fix up all the jets as an airline has been an extremely tough task. Advertisement Tim admitted to "pulling his hair out" over the regulators and the tiny tweaks that have to be made to modernise a plane of that size and stature. And he believes the US government will face an even trickier - and much more expensive - battle to get the gifted plane ready for presidential trips. He said: "It's a Herculean task, make no mistake about it. "Whether President Trump will adapt fully, this present from Qatar, to an Air Force One I doubt it, but he'll certainly get a lot of it done." Advertisement Aviation specialist Jeff Wise also told The Sun that he expects the Air Force One replacement to take years and need billions of dollars pumped into the project to make the jet viable. Trump's Air Force One jets currently in use come with dozens of specialised security features. 9 Donald Trump's new 'sky Palace' which he has been gifted from the Qatari government Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 The jet would need to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight Advertisement 9 The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight These include armoured glass and plating, on board flares to confuse enemy missiles, mirror-ball defences and even an electric jamming system. Another unique yet needed element is an electromagnetic shield for nuclear explosions. This has to be on a presidential plane as the leader of Washington can actually launch a nuke from the aircraft. Advertisement But the new Qatari jet lacks most of these security features. Instead, the lavish aeroplane boasts a luxurious interior, featuring spacious suites and rooms with ornate interior decoration. It also has glittering gold-coloured furnishings and hallways that echo Trump's well-know interior design preferences. The president is believed to have spent an hour inspecting the plan when when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport back in February. Advertisement The luxury Boeing was once even listed for a whopping $400 million, according to the Business Jet Traveler. During his first stint in office, Trump had ordered two new Air Force One jumbo jets from Boeing to replace the pair that have been in service since George H. W. Bush's presidency. But the Boeing contract has faced delays, and reports suggest the new plans would not be ready until after Trump leaves the Oval Office. Fears Trump's new Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS – or worse By Chief Foreign Reporter, Katie Davis A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned. The Boeing 747 - dubbed a "palace in the sky" - could even be blasted out the sky, aviation specialist Jeff Wise believes. He fears Trump may bypass necessary measures to save time and money - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt. Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other. 'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump. 'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you. 'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open. 'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.' Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.' 9 Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani Credit: AP Advertisement
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Emirates airline president reveals staggering cost to transform Qatari ‘sky Palace' into Trump's new Air Force One jet
DONALD Trump's luxury "sky Palace" gifted to him by Qatar will cost a few billion dollars, says the President of Emirates airline. The US government now faces a "Herculean task" to transform the huge 9 President Trump boards Air Force One earlier this month Credit: Reuters 9 President of Emirates airline Sir Tim Clark believes it will cost a few billion dollars to properly transform it into a replacement Air Force One Credit: Emirates 9 A look inside the lavish $400million plane shows the Boeing kitted out in gold Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 President Trump, 78, sparked concerns earlier this month with his willingness to family . The giant gift, worth an estimated $400m (£300m), has raised several ethical questions about if the US leader should be allowed to accept such expensive goods from other states. But despite the controversy, Trump gladly took the 13-year-old mega jet back to Washington with him. He now plans to make it part of his Air Force One fleet alongside two other Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets. read more in Donald Trump They have been operational since 1990 but are now said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes such as Qatar 's 747-8. In order for it to become a fully fledged member of the president's aviation arsenal however, it will need to go through some serious work. It would have to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before ever ferrying around Trump. And significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials would be required. Most read in The US Sun Sir Tim, president of Emirates, told He explained to Piers: 'I think you're talking a couple of billion dollars to start with. Trump's new $400m Qatari Air Force One jet from Qatar is 'hackers dream' "Just roll back a little bit and look at what it takes for us to convert our 777s - from the old to the new - because we haven't got the Boeing's coming in at the pace we want them so we're having to reconfigure all of them." The top aviation boss said trying to fix up all the jets as an airline has been an extremely tough task. Tim admitted to "pulling his hair out" over the regulators and the tiny tweaks that have to be made to modernise a plane of that size and stature. And he believes the US government will face an even trickier - and much more expensive - battle to get the gifted plane ready for presidential trips. He said: "It's a Herculean task, make no mistake about it. "Whether President Trump will adapt fully, this present from Qatar , to an Air Force One I doubt it, but he'll certainly get a lot of it done." Aviation specialist Jeff Wise also told The Sun that he expects the Air Force One replacement to Trump's Air Force One jets currently in use come with dozens of specialised security features . 9 Donald Trump's new 'sky Palace' which he has been gifted from the Qatari government Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 The jet would need to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight 9 The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight These include armoured glass and plating, on board flares to confuse enemy missiles, mirror-ball defences and even an electric jamming system. Another unique yet needed element is an electromagnetic shield for nuclear explosions. This has to be on a presidential plane as the leader of Washington can actually launch a nuke from the aircraft. But the new Qatari jet lacks most of these security features. Instead, the It also has glittering gold-coloured furnishings and hallways that echo Trump's well-know interior design preferences. The president is believed to have spent an hour inspecting the plan when when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport back in February. The luxury Boeing was once even listed for a whopping $400 million, according to the Business Jet Traveler. During his first stint in office, Trump had ordered two new Air Force One jumbo jets from Boeing to replace the pair that have been in service since George H. W. Bush's presidency. But the Boeing contract has faced delays, and reports suggest the new plans would not be ready until after Trump leaves the Oval Office. Fears Trump's new Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS – or worse By Chief Foreign Reporter, Katie Davis A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned. The Boeing 747 - dubbed He fears Trump may bypass necessary measures to save time and money - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt. Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other. 'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump. 'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you. 'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open. 'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.' Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.' 9 Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani Credit: AP 9 Air Force One is one of the most guarded and secure jets in the world Credit: AP
