mixed success for the launch of Starship

Last second of a long wait, Saturday November 18, at Boca Chica (Texas, United States). SpaceX successfully launched Starship, the most powerful and largest rocket in the world, 120 m high. Towards 2 p.m., it takes off, propelled by its 33 engines, at thousands of kilometers per hour. Then the second challenge was overcome, arriving at an altitude of almost 75 kilometers, the two stages separated to leave the ship alone to reach space. Only, barely time to savor, the hope ends.

“Improve Starship reliability”

A few minutes more Later, the first stage with the engines explodes, then it’s the ship’s turn. Second apparent failure for the billionaire’s SpaceX company Elon Musk. His XXL rocket had already exploded last April. But today, no one wants to talk about defeat. “It is enormous progress not to have destroyed the launch pad, to have made the 33 engines work together. To have succeeded in separating the Starship of its booster, it is also a success”analyzes Jean-Luc Dauvergnejournalist at Ciel et Espace.

SpaceX is delighted about it on the social network X: “Today’s test will help us improve the reliability of Starship, as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary.” A hope, as NASA scrutinizes the company’s progress.