Launch
SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion prevents an unprecedented double catch
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- SpaceX's attempt to catch the Starship booster back at the launch pad failed when the booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded on Friday.
- The Starship spacecraft still reached orbit, which the source describes as the boldest test yet.
- The planned double catch of booster and spacecraft did not happen.
Why it matters
Recovering a full Starship stack at the launch pad would be a major step toward reusable heavy-lift rockets, and this test showed both the orbital capability and the remaining recovery problems.
Who’s affected
- anyone following spaceflight and reusable rocket development
SpaceX's attempt to recover its entire Starship back at the launch pad was thwarted when the booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded Friday, but the spacecraft still soared into orbit in its boldest test yet.