Latest news with #megarocket
Al Arabiya
17 hours ago
- Science
- Al Arabiya
After repeated explosions, new test for Musk's megarocket
SpaceX said on Friday that its Starship megarocket is scheduled for another test flight next weekend, after a series of fiery failures that have drawn scrutiny from regulators and foreign governments. The world's most powerful launch vehicle, Starship is central to Elon Musk's plans to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually colonize Mars. But repeated explosions have left debris scattered over Caribbean islands, disrupted flights, and raised questions about the program's safety record. The rocket's 10th test is slated for as early as August 24 from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas, according to the company's website. Previous attempts this year saw the spacecraft reach space but disintegrate before a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, following a fuel leak and loss of control. Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, the rocket is designed to be fully reusable and launch at a fraction of traditional costs. SpaceX has embraced a 'fail fast, learn fast' approach, but the latest setbacks — including a June ground test explosion — have intensified pressure on Musk's company. Despite the failures, Musk insists Starship will begin uncrewed Mars missions next year. Yet environmental concerns are mounting. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened legal action in June over falling debris and contamination, while US regulators recently raised the annual limit on Starship launches from five to 25.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
After repeated explosions, new test for Musk's megarocket
Elon Musk's SpaceX announced Friday that its Starship megarocket is scheduled to blast off on a new test flight next weekend after recent attempts have ended in fiery explosions. The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle in history is planned to return Americans to the Moon -- and is central to the dreams of colonizing Mars envisioned by Musk, the world's richest person. But repeated explosions that sent debris raining down over Caribbean islands and disrupted flights have piled pressure onto SpaceX to pull off a smoother trial run. The rocket's 10th test flight is set to launch as soon as August 24 from the company's Starbase facility in Texas, SpaceX said on its website. During two test flights earlier this year, the rocket's upper stage -- which is the spacecraft intended to carry crew and cargo -- erupted in fiery cascades not long after launch. Starship managed to make it to space during the last test in late May, however it then blew up when a fuel leak caused it to lose control. The rocket's propulsion system was also supposed to execute a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico -- but it disintegrated before reaching the water. Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, the black-and-white behemoth is designed to eventually be fully reusable and launch at relatively low cost. SpaceX has been betting that its "fail fast, learn fast" ethos -- which helped it dominate commercial spaceflight -- will once again pay off. But the latest string of setbacks, which also includes an explosion during a routine ground test in June, has raised serious questions about Starship's progress. Musk -- who is known for making extremely ambitious proposals -- maintains that the rocket will launch its first uncrewed missions to Mars next year. SpaceX has also been sharply criticized over the impact its launches have on people and the environment near where its rockets blast off. In June, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened to sue SpaceX over falling debris and contamination from its launches. More Starship tests are expected in the coming months, however, after the US aviation regulator approved the number of its annual launches increasing from five to 25. cha/dl/mlm
CTV News
a day ago
- Science
- CTV News
After repeated explosions, new test for Musk's megarocket
Elon Musk's SpaceX announced Friday that its Starship megarocket is scheduled to blast off on a new test flight next weekend after recent attempts have ended in fiery explosions. The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle in history is planned to return Americans to the Moon -- and is central to the dreams of colonizing Mars envisioned by Musk, the world's richest person. But repeated explosions that sent debris raining down over Caribbean islands and disrupted flights have piled pressure onto SpaceX to pull off a smoother trial run. The rocket's 10th test flight is set to launch as soon as August 24 from the company's Starbase facility in Texas, SpaceX said on its website. During two test flights earlier this year, the rocket's upper stage -- which is the spacecraft intended to carry crew and cargo -- erupted in fiery cascades not long after launch. Starship managed to make it to space during the last test in late May, however it then blew up when a fuel leak caused it to lose control. The rocket's propulsion system was also supposed to execute a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico -- but it disintegrated before reaching the water. Standing 403 feet (123 metres) tall, the black-and-white behemoth is designed to eventually be fully reusable and launch at relatively low cost. SpaceX has been betting that its 'fail fast, learn fast' ethos -- which helped it dominate commercial spaceflight -- will once again pay off. But the latest string of setbacks, which also includes an explosion during a routine ground test in June, has raised serious questions about Starship's progress. Musk -- who is known for making extremely ambitious proposals -- maintains that the rocket will launch its first uncrewed missions to Mars next year. SpaceX has also been sharply criticized over the impact its launches have on people and the environment near where its rockets blast off. In June, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened to sue SpaceX over falling debris and contamination from its launches. More Starship tests are expected in the coming months, however, after the U.S. aviation regulator approved the number of its annual launches increasing from five to 25.
