The SpaceX spacecraft explodes again in the latest test preparing for a journey to Mars

Yesterday, a test flight of Starship Serial Number 9 (or SN9), a next-generation spacecraft from private rocket company SpaceX, of which Elon Musk is the founder and chief executive officer, with the dream of one day being sent to Mars, ended up like a fireball.

It was a short flight, to a height of about 10 km and then back to a landing pad. As the Starship approached the landing pad, it was designed to activate two engines to flip the vehicle back into a vertical position, then use a single motor to land. At this point, it seems something is wrong with the SN9, as the ship crashes into a landing pad at high speed and explodes in a giant fireball just like its predecessor, to Another cloud of smoke rose up on the test field in Boca Chica, Texas, USA.

The Starship is the next generation spacecraft that SpaceX is building to one day send people and goods to the Moon, Mars and possibly beyond. The company is working hard to develop, test, and improve the design. This was most recently demonstrated in December of last year when the SN8 was launched, but then crashed on its return, though the specific cause of the two incidents may differ.

“We will be back with another Starship in the near future,” said a SpaceX engineer.

On the evening of the same day, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which manages the missile launches, announced that it would be overseeing an investigation into why the prototype ship crashed.

“Although this is a non-fixed flight test, the investigation will identify the root cause of this incident and possible opportunities, to further strengthen,” said an agency spokesperson . safety as the program grows “.

For this launch, SpaceX at least got the FAA’s permission.

Last week, SpaceX and government regulators appeared to be in a strange unrest. SpaceX has filled the launcher containers of this Starship prototype – its ninth – and looks ready to launch. But then the missile remained on the ground, unexpectedly without FAA approval.

Musk then expressed frustration on Twitter, describing how the FAA oversees SpaceX as “fundamentally broken”.

“Their rules are for a handful of launches each year from certain government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never make it to Mars,” wrote Elon Musk.

At the end of February 1, the FAA authorized SpaceX to launch the missile the next day, but later revealed that the December launch took place without the agency’s approval. The reason for the FAA is concern that pressure waves could be generated by an explosion in the course of a test that would endanger the public. SpaceX defied the ruling and still launched the rocket launch.

But even if Starship landed perfectly, launching it without approval is a violation of the company’s license.

“The FAA requested SpaceX to conduct an investigation of the incident, including a comprehensive review of the company’s safety culture, operational decision-making and disciplinary processes,” an agency spokesperson said. know in a statement released on the evening of 2/2.

SpaceX was also required to stop testing that could endanger the public until the company makes changes to the agency’s satisfaction.

“We anticipate no further enforcement action,” the FAA statement said. In its statement, the FAA said that SpaceX had complied with safety regulations, giving it a green light for the test flight.

The prototype Starship SN9 rocket exploded after landing from a test flight in Boca Chica on 2/2.

Elon Musk’s company has become a success in the rocket business and is now one of the world’s most valuable private companies. Its Falcon 9 rockets have become the mainstay of a satellite in orbit. It regularly ships cargo to the ISS International Space Station and has taken NASA astronauts there twice by 2020, with more trips planned this year.

The next Starship prototype – SN10 – was built and launched. It may fly later this month.

Refer to NYTimes