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On January 16, 2025, SpaceX’s seventh test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket ended prematurely when the Starship upper stage was lost during ascent. This incident has sparked significant discussion within the aerospace community about the implications for future missions and the development of the Starship program.
Overview of the Mission
The seventh flight lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 5:37 PM EST. The vehicle was propelled by 33 Raptor engines, marking a key milestone in SpaceX's efforts to enhance its capabilities for heavy-lift launch vehicles. Immediately following launch, the vehicle ascended smoothly into clear skies.
Booster Operations
Approximately two minutes and 45 seconds into the flight, the Super Heavy booster successfully separated from the Starship upper stage. Following this separation, the booster executed a return to the launch pad, utilizing the innovative “chopstick” mechanical arms that had previously captured the vehicle during earlier missions. This operation was reminiscent of the successful booster recovery accomplished during the fifth launching attempt in October.
The Super Heavy booster is caught by the mechanical arms after returning to the launch site. Credit: SpaceX
Failure of the Upper Stage
While the Super Heavy booster was safely recovered, the Starship upper stage faced critical issues during its ascent. Telemetry data indicated that within about seven minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff, one of the six Raptor engines on the Starship shut down. Subsequently, two additional engines failed just 20 seconds later, leading to a complete failure in engine performance.
By eight minutes and 25 seconds into the flight, telemetry showed that only a single Raptor engine was operational, and updates regarding the vehicle's altitude and speed ceased, indicating a potential catastrophic failure.
Expert Reactions
“We had an anomaly with that upper stage,” stated Dan Huot, a host of the SpaceX launch webcast. "At this point, we are assuming that the ship has been lost.” This sentiment was echoed by SpaceX, who confirmed the vehicle’s loss shortly after the telemetry signals ceased. Footage later circulated on social media purportedly depicting debris from the Starship upper stage burning up over the Caribbean, near the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Technical Upgrades and Future Implications
This mission was not just another test; it marked the inaugural flight of an upgraded block version of the Starship upper stage. Key enhancements included:
- Increase in the vehicle's length by approximately two meters, allowing for larger propellant tanks that are capable of carrying 25% more propellant.
- A complete redesign of the avionics, incorporating new computers, antennas, and a power distribution system.
- Refinement of the thermal protection system utilizing new tile designs and additional layers for protection against potential damage.
- Implementation of a stress test where some tiles were intentionally removed to analyze the effects of vulnerabilities.
- Integration of metallic tile options, with some utilizing a water-cooling feature.
These upgrades are strategically aimed at preparing SpaceX for future flights that intend to land the Starship upper stage back at the launch site.
Anticipated Delays Due to Incident
The loss of the upper stage is likely to necessitate a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation into the mishap before SpaceX receives clearance to conduct subsequent Starship launches. This development could lead to substantial delays, possibly spanning several months, as the company has rapidly scaled up hardware production in anticipation of increasing launch frequency.
Upcoming Missions and Objectives
Despite this setback, SpaceX maintains ambitious plans to transition from suborbital testing to orbital missions in the near future. These orbital missions are particularly significant as they encompass:
- A demonstration of in-space propellant transfer, crucial for future deep-space missions.
- Utilization of the Starship as a lunar lander within NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.
Conclusion
The seventh test flight of the Starship upper stage serves as a prominent reminder of the risks associated with advancing rocket technology. While the successful recovery of the Super Heavy booster exhibition signals progress, the failure of the Starship itself could have implications that resonate far beyond this single mission. SpaceX's approach to resolving technical challenges and systematically preparing for future launches will be critical in maintaining its trajectory in the competitive landscape of aerospace.
References and Further Reading
For more information, please refer to the following sources:
- SpaceNews Article
- SpaceX Official Website
- NASA Artemis Program Overview
- More from SpaceNews
- Analysis of SpaceX's upgrades and challenges
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