The most powerful rocket in history has just lifted off from its pad\nin a spectacular display of power and technology. SpaceX successfully\nlaunched the latest version of their colossal rocket, Starship, on\nFriday local time.<\/p>\n
The launch took place from a second pad recently completed at the\nStarbase manufacturing and testing facility in South Texas. The\n124-metre-tall vehicle rose at 18:30 Eastern Daylight Time to undertake\nthe 12th suborbital test flight. It was Starship\u2019s first mission since\nOctober 2025 and also the first flight of Starship Version 3 (V3), the\nlatest generation featuring a total redesign aimed at operational\nmissions in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations to the SpaceX team on the epic first launch and\nlanding of Starship V3!\u201d wrote SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on his X account.\n\u201cYou have scored a goal for humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the flight path was not without technical challenges. At\nliftoff, one of the 33 Raptor engines on the first stage of the Super\nHeavy booster failed, depriving the booster of critical thrust to\ncontrol its return to Earth. Additionally, the upper stage (Ship 39)\nlost one of its six engines during ascent, although it ultimately\nreached space with five engines operating.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t call it a nominal orbit insertion, but we are on a path we\nanalysed, and it\u2019s within tolerances,\u201d SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot said in\na livestream. \u201cSo the team continues to work through it with one engine\nout.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 2 minutes 20 seconds after liftoff, the hot staging method\n(rocket stage separation) was accomplished. The Super Heavy booster then\nfell and struck the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This step was\ndeliberately chosen to ensure a controlled splashdown in the water to\navoid damage to the new launch pad.<\/p>\n
In this mission, Starship carried 22 payloads, including two Starlink\nsatellites equipped with cameras to inspect the rocket\u2019s heat-shield\ntiles before re-entering Earth\u2019s atmosphere. After spending about 50\nminutes in space, Ship 39 began its re-entry sequence, firing two\nengines to simulate a landing burn, before tipping over and exploding in\nthe ocean as planned.<\/p>\n
The mission represents a critical step for SpaceX, given NASA\u2019s\nreliance on Starship as one of the lunar landing vehicles for the\nArtemis 3 program targeted for mid to late 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations to the SpaceX team and Elon Musk on the remarkable\nStarship V3 launch,\u201d NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote, witnessing\nthe launch on-site. \u201cOne step nearer to the Moon\u2026 one step nearer to\nMars.\u201d<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spacex-successfully-launches-starship-v3-the-most-powerful-rocket-in-history-setting-a-new-record-1779533761", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }